Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) at PSU

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Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership (SIGP)

Advancing Indigenous Knowledge in STEM Graduate Education

The Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership (SIGP) is a national graduate fellowship program supporting master’s and doctoral students in STEM fields by combining financial funding, structured mentorship, and community-centered research approaches.

SIGP scholars form a supportive, interdisciplinary cohort that integrates Indigenous ways of knowing into STEM research and innovation. Scholars receive an additional annual stipend and structured mentoring grounded in relational, community-centered approaches. 

PSU-SIGP is a pilot member of the national SIGP program supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and is a collaboration between Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Indigenous Nations Studies, and the Graduate School. PSU-SIGP scholars will also be a part of the Sloan Scholars Network, which cultivates professional success, collaboration, and mentorships for thousands of Sloan scholars and alumni across scholarship programs funded by the Sloan Foundation across the nation.

Interest form now open. Applications open Winter 2026. First cohort begins Fall 2027.

About PSU-SIGP

The Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership (SIGP) is a consortium of higher education institutions that seek to transform graduate STEM education in ways that:

  • Support the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, values, and experiences in scientific research, teaching, and community engagement; 
  • Allow scholars to address issues relevant to Indigenous communities; 
  • Encourage and prepare talented students who have such interests and expertise to pursue STEM graduate education and careers; and 
  • Foster strong community engagement on and across individual SIGP campuses.

PSU-SIGP is a two-year pilot enrolling a cohort of six scholars (3 master’s, 3 doctoral) across STEM disciplines in:

PSU-SIGP seeks to:

  • Center Indigenous ways of knowing within STEM research
  • Build graduate pathways aligned with Tribal and community priorities
  • Develop faculty capacity for culturally grounded mentoring
  • Connect scholars to a national network of SIGP and other Sloan scholars and alumni

What SIGP Scholars Receive

SIGP funding supplements, but does not replace, the funding package provided through a student's graduate program. At Portland State, master's students receive an additional stipend of $22,000 and doctoral students receive an additional stipend of $44,000.

A cohort of six graduate students across STEM fields receive:

  • An annual supplemental stipend
  • Structured cohort programming grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing
  • Faculty mentoring support
  • Professional development aligned with community impact
  • Connections to Tribal and regional partners

Who Should Apply

We seek graduate students who:

  • Intend to integrate Indigenous knowledge systems and perspectives into STEM research
  • Demonstrate commitment to community-centered scholarship
  • Are interested in interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Seek a culturally affirming graduate experience

Applicants must apply and be admitted to an eligible PSU graduate program. SIGP scholars must be committed to submitting spending and academic reports, demonstrating adequate academic progress towards a timely degree completion.

Citizenship and Residency Requirements

Applications will be reviewed for all U.S. citizens and permanent residents admitted to a residential master's or PhD program at Portland State University. 

To qualify for the PSU-SIGP fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Citizenship: U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • Enrollment Status: Admitted to a residential thesis-track master’s or doctoral program in an eligible STEM discipline at PSU.

Academic Commitment: Committed to integrating Indigenous perspectives into scientific research and maintaining adequate academic progress toward degree completion.

Eligible Degree Programs

Students pursuing a research degree in STEM, that requires the preparation of a thesis or dissertation, are eligible for PSU-SIGP. Specific qualifying graduate programs include:

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science

*These programs may be eligible if there is a natural, physical, or indigenous sciences focus

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How to Apply

  1. Submit the SIGP Interest Form.
  2. Apply to an eligible PSU graduate program.
  3. Selected applicants will be invited to complete a SIGP supplemental application.
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Application Timeline

  • Fall 2026: SIGP Interest Form open. Contact prospective PSU faculty advisors.
  • Winter 2027: Applications open for eligible PSU graduate degree programs.
  • Spring 2027: Admitted students submit SIGP supplemental applications and fellowship decisions are finalized.
  • Fall 2027: First PSU-SIGP cohort begins coursework and fellowship program.
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Additional Tuition & Funding Opportunities

SIGP funding may be combined with other graduate support programs, including:

National Consortium Membership & Sloan Scholars Network

As members of the national SIGP consortium, PSU scholars gain access to a broad professional support ecosystem, including:

  • National Network Mentorship: Cross-institutional mentorship and networking across the national SIGP community.
  • Sloan Scholars Network Access: Professional development, collaboration, and lifelong connection to thousands of Sloan alumni nationwide.
  • Conference & Travel Funding: Financial support for travel to academic conferences and regional events.
  • Bi-Annual SIGP Symposium: Participation in national gatherings dedicated to Indigenous STEM scholarship.

Graduate Assistantships

Many PSU graduate programs offer teaching, research, and administrative assistantships that include tuition remission and stipends.

Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP/WICHE)

Eligible students from participating western states may receive tuition savings through WRGP (wiche.edu)

Search participating programs here: (wiche.edu)

Oregon Tribal Student Grant

Eligible enrolled members of Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribes may receive funding to offset attendance costs. The 2026–27 priority deadline is September 30, 2026 (oregonstudentaid.gov)

SIGP builds on PSU’s broader work to strengthen Indigenous graduate pathways and mentoring in STEM:

Scholar Expectations and Responsibilities

PSU-SIGP scholars participate in structured academic, cultural, and community activities throughout their program:

  • Cohort Onboarding & Seminars: Complete onboarding prior to Year 1 and enroll in a shared Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITECK) course during the fall term.
  • Regular Cohort Meetings: Attend bi-weekly cohort meetings during Year 1 and monthly meetings in subsequent years.
  • AISES Chapter Engagement: Participate in local and national activities with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES).
  • Symposium Presentation: Present research findings at the annual national SIGP Symposium.
  • Peer Mentorship: Serve as a mentor for incoming SIGP scholars during Year 2.

Faculty Mentors

Mentorship is central to the PSU-SIGP experience. Scholars work with faculty advisors in their degree-granting departments alongside culturally grounded mentors who guide relational, community-centered research approaches. Potential applicants are encouraged to connect with faculty in Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Indigenous Nations Studies early in the application process.

SIGP Leadership

The Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership program at PSU is led by an interdisciplinary team of faculty and campus administrators. They include:

  • Tim Anderson, PhD. Associate Professor and Special Advisor to the Dean, Engineering & Technology Management (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi)
  • Shandee Dixon, PhD. Assistant Professor, OHSU-PSU School of Public Health & Faculty Lead, Northwest Native American Center of Excellence (NNACoE)
  • Suzanne Estes, PhD. Department Chair of Indigenous Nations Studies, Professor of Biology (Chickasaw/Choctaw)
  • Heejun Chang, PhD. Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Professor of Geography 
  • Mark Woods, PhD. Interim Dean, Graduate School, Professor of Chemistry
  • Tong Zhang, PhD. Assistant Dean for Inclusive Innovation, Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

SIGP is a national program funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation that supports master’s and doctoral students in STEM graduate programs through supplemental stipends, mentoring, and professional networking. Interested students should demonstrate commitment to STEM scholarship and in elevating Indigenous perspectives and Indigenous ways of knowing in research.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents admitted to eligible thesis-track master’s or doctoral programs in the Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science or the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

SIGP funding provides supplemental stipends throughout the scholar's degree program, subject to annual progress reports and academic standing.

Select interdisciplinary programs (such as Anthropology MS or Geography MS) may qualify if the student's research focus centers on natural, physical, or Indigenous sciences.

Interested candidates must first complete the SIGP Interest Form, apply to an eligible PSU graduate degree program, and submit a supplemental SIGP application upon admission invitation.