Draper Scholars Program
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
faculty and staff

Our scholarships and research projects support M.S. and Ph.D. candidates pursuing advanced technical degrees in engineering and the sciences.

Applicants are required to be accepted into a thesis-bearing degree program; however, this not required at the time of application.

If you are interested in solving real-world problems related to the security of our nation with experts in a variety of fields, the Draper Scholars Program is your opportunity. Our committed staff help Draper Scholars succeed.

How to Apply

Applications for the 2023-2024 academic year are now closed. Applications for the coming year will open on December, 1, 2023. On that day there will be a link to the application portal.

Students are strongly encouraged to coordinate with Draper staff and university faculty before applying to the Scholars Program. Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Program Admissions

Quick Facts

  • Draper Scholar Program supports M.S. and Ph.D. study in technical areas of interest to Draper in engineering and the sciences. All Draper Scholars must complete a thesis.

  • Support includes tuition and stipend; tuition is at a rate agreed to by Draper and the university while stipend is at the university's set rate.

  • Draper Scholar Program supports a Masters Student for two years and a PhD Student for 5 years, provided adequate progress continues to be made.

  • Active-duty military personnel pursuing graduate study and other students with active clearance may work on classified projects.

  • The program is open to U.S. citizens only.

Research

The Scholars program focuses on empowering students within 14 key research areas. Applicants are encouraged to align their research within these topics.

  1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

  2. Advanced Position, Navigation and Timing

  3. Autonomy

  4. Biosecurity

  5. Cyber

  6. Design Methodology

  7. Human System Technology

  8. Hypersonics

  9. Photonics Packaging 

  10. Materials Design & Development

  11. Rad-Hard MicroElectronics

  12. Sensors and Comms

  13. Space Technology

  14. Terrain Relative and Vision Aided Navigation

Research Topics

Research Symposium

Research Symposium

Recently, we hosted a research symposium for Draper Scholars and Undergraduate Capstone Students. We plan to make this an annual program every spring.
Read Draper Scholar Posters Read Capstone Student Posters
students

Have Questions?

Email us today with any questions about the Draper Scholars Program. Or check out our research areas page for technical points of contact in each research topic.
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