Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there more information available about the history of PROMISE?

A: Yes, please read the article, Tull, R. G.,  Rutledge, J.C.,  Warnick, J. W.,  and Carter, F. D. (2012). PROMISE: Maryland’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate Enhances Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented Minority Graduate Students. Academic Medicine, 87(11), p. 1562-1569. You can also find more information on our PROMISE Publications page: https://promiseagep.wordpress.com/publications/

Q: I’ve heard about AGEP, but I don’t really know what it means. Where can I find more information?

A: AGEP is an acronym for Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate.  AGEP is a National Science Foundation (NSF) program in the Directorate for Education and Human Resources, Division of Human Resource Development.  NSF’s full description of AGEP can be found on our ABOUT page: https://promiseagep.wordpress.com/about/

Q: Are there other AGEPs?

A: Historically, there were 27 other AGEP programs throughout the country, including Mississippi (AGEM), Georgia (FACES), Colorado (PEAKS), and many others. PROMISE is Maryland’s AGEP. Information about AGEP from NSF can be found here: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5474.  A list of currently active AGEP awards can be found on NSF’s Award page here: http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/simpleSearchResult?queryText=AGEP&ActiveAwards=true.

Additional websites with more historical information about AGEPs can be found here: http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/agep.aspx and here: http://www.nsfagep.org/about/.

Q: What fields of study are supported by the National Science Foundation?

A: Here is a list of supported STEM fields: List of NSF supported fields.

Q: What is STEM?

A: STEM is the National Science Foundation’s acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. The STEM fields are the focus areas for AGEP programs. Social sciences are part of the “S” in STEM for the AGEP program.

Q: I am not “underrepresented” because I am not an African-American, American-Indian, or Hispanic graduate student. Can I still come to PROMISE events?

A: Absolutely. PROMISE events are open to anyone who supports increasing the numbers and diversity of PhDs in STEM fields. While funded positions may be used to first support graduate students who are underrepresented, you don’t have to be an underrepresented student and you don’t have to be in a STEM field to support the program and participate in events.