The ACT Scholars Program, co-directed by ACT and The University of Iowa Graduate College, is providing an opportunity for qualified students to pursue graduate degrees at the UI while simultaneously obtaining on-the-job training at ACT.

ACT, founded in 1959 as the American College Testing Program by UI education leaders E.F. Lindquist and Ted McCarrel, celebrated its 50th anniversary last October by committing $5 million to The University of Iowa Foundation to endow the ACT Scholars Program. The program will begin presenting awards to graduate students during the 2010-2011 academic year.

Recipients will receive an annual nine-month stipend equivalent to a half-time research assistantship ($20,000), benefits, and a full resident rate tuition scholarship. ACT welcomes nominations from underrepresented populations, including African-Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans.

“The Graduate College is honored to work with ACT to establish the ACT Scholars Program,” said John C. Keller, associate provost and Graduate College dean. “This support from ACT is an exceptionally strong commitment to graduate education and research in disciplines pertinent to ACT’s work.”

ACT Scholars must be nominated by their departments in several areas of study, including education, business, communications, information technology, statistics, and engineering. While at the UI, the students will be assigned to a business unit at ACT to gain experience.