Applications Now Being Accepted

The applications submission window has opened for the first cohort of students for the PACK Fellowship.  Applications will be accepted through the June 15, 2019 deadline.  For more information on how to apply, please visit the Application page.

The International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) program supports international research and research-related activities for U.S. science and engineering students. The IRES program contributes to the development of a diverse, globally-engaged workforce with world-class skills. IRES focuses on active research participation by undergraduate or graduate students in high quality international research, education and professional development experiences in NSF-funded research areas. The overarching, long-term goal of the IRES program is to enhance U.S. leadership in research and education and to strengthen economic competitiveness through training the next generation of research leaders.

This specific collaboration between Penn State, ACerS, and the University of Kiel is referred to as the PACK Fellowship and will provide selected students with the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research on magnetic field sensing, biomedical systems, and neuromorphic computing with involvement of more than thirty faculty members and over one hundred students and postdoctoral fellows at University of Kiel. PACK Fellows will have the opportunity to form an international network in the emerging field of biomagnetic field sensing and its implications toward solving complex human diseases through improved diagnosis and analysis.

The American Ceramic Society (ACerS) is administering the program, managing the student selection process, international network formation and collaboration, and sustainability of the PACK Fellowship. The University of Kiel is providing a dedicated infrastructure with specialized equipment. This support provides a tremendous opportunity for US students and faculty to build a partnership with an excellent cluster of scientists and engineers at the University of Kiel and collaborations throughout Europe. Over the course of the program, a substantial number of German students will be visiting US universities, funded through universities in Germany. Penn State’s Global Programs will organize and oversee the travel logistics for the students.

Since 1898, ACerS has been the hub of the global ceramics community and one of the most trusted sources of ceramic materials and applications knowledge. The mission of ACerS is to advance the study, understanding, and use of ceramics and related materials for the benefit of our members and society. More than 11,000 scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, students, and marketing and sales professionals from more than 70 countries make up the membership of The American Ceramic Society.