HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1428

BYRepresentatives Jacobsen, Heavey, Miller, Fox, Anderson, Nelson, H. Sommers, Wang, P. King, Hankins, Todd and Unsoeld

Establishing the Washington national science fellows program.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Barnes, Basich, Fox, Jesernig, Miller, Nelson, Prince, Silver, Unsoeld and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION JANUARY 26, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The National Science Foundation has created one of the most prestigious fellowship programs in the nation.  The National Science Fellowship Program annually provides stipends and grants for tuition and related expenses to four-hundred of the most outstanding graduate students in the country.

Each National Science Fellow is receiving a stipend of $12,300 for the 1987-88 academic year.  The student's college or university receives $6,000 to cover his or her tuition and related expenses.

These National Science fellows are highly recruited by the nation's colleges and universities. They tend to be among the best students in any graduate program, and end up setting a standard for other students to follow.  Their presence in a college or university is also extremely helpful in recruiting and retaining distinguished faculty members.

SUMMARY:

The Washington National Science Fellows Program is established.  The program will be administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Board, if funds are available through legislative appropriation.  The Board is directed to work cooperatively with institutions of higher education to identify eligible recipients, and to establish program rules or guidelines.

The Board will provide annual grants to National Science Fellows who attend a state research or regional university or college.

Each National Science Fellow will receive an annual grant which does not exceed two thousand dollars, unless an additional sum is approved by a legislative appropriation.  The Fellow is eligible for the annual grant for up to three years.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 19, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Gene Woodruff, University of Washington; Bud Norris, Washington State University.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Deans at the graduate schools of the state's research universities report that providing small grants to National Science Fellows would assist in recruiting these exemplary students.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.