The Graduate School is grateful to the support offered by the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation (CSCHF) (formerly known as the Portage Health Foundation) for our graduate students. Graduate Assistantships provide one semester of support to PhD students. These assistantships are available through the generosity of the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation. They are intended to recognize outstanding PhD talent in health-oriented research areas. Applicants must be a catalyst for promoting and improving the overall health of Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, and Ontonagon communities through one of the following:
- health research and technology development
- health education or preventive and wellness initiatives
- rural healthcare access, informatics, and assessment of care
Eligibility
Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:
- Must be a PhD student conducting a research or outreach project that will promote and/or improve the overall health of Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, and Ontonagon communities.
- Must be 2 years after starting the graduate program at the time of application.
- Must not be a prior recipient of a CSCHF (formerly PHF) Graduate Assistantship.
- Preference will be given to applicants with long-standing local connections to Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, or Ontonagon county.
Previous recipients of a CSCHF Graduate Assistantship are not eligible to reapply.
Application Procedure
Nominations for CSCHF Graduate Assistantships will be accepted each fall semester, spring semester, and summer session, for funding in the next semester, pending availability of funds.
Note that the application process and evaluation criteria have been updated for the Spring 2027 solicitation.
Student Procedure
Students will complete the CSCHF Graduate Assistantship application no later than 4 p.m. on October 13, 2026. Please note the following items that will need to be included:
- If the project involves collaboration with a community partner, please attach a communication from the partner indicating their support. An email is sufficient; a formal support letter is not required.
Advisor Procedure
The student's advisor(s)* will:
- Prepare a reference letter on University letterhead that addresses how the candidate and project relate to the evaluation criteria.
- Obtain a letter (or email) from the department chair, college dean, or PI outlining the 1:1 match for requested funds. Tuition support from the department or another funding source can be applied towards the match.
- Submit the reference letter to the CSCHF Graduate Assistanthip Reference form. The
reference form may be saved and does not need to be completed in a single session.
*If there are co-advisors, one advisor will submit a single reference on behalf of the student.
Evaluation
Applications will be evaluated by the CSCHF Graduate Assistantship review panel based on the criteria below.
Local Impact & Significance (with Immediate/Measurable Scope)
The applicant must demonstrate how their work directly benefits the health of the Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, and/or Ontonagon communities.
What Counts: Projects with a clear, localized timeline detailing exactly how and how many regional residents will benefit in the near term.
What Does Not Count: General health related research that only applies to the local community because "people with this condition live here." Theoretical or foundational research with a hypothetical benefit decades down the line does not meet the intent of this award.
Catalyst for Regional Health Initiatives
The applicant must show a clear plan to promote and improve overall local health through at least one of the following:
- Health research and technology development
- Health education, preventive measures, or wellness initiatives
- Rural healthcare access, informatics, and assessment of care
Community Translation, Outreach, or Dissemination
Applicants may propose a "Local Broader Impacts" project. This allows them to design and execute an alternative scholarship, outreach, or advocacy initiative that translates their academic work into a tangible local benefit.
Note: This must go beyond passive outreach (e.g., "hosting a seminar" or "hanging flyers"). It must reflect meaningful, active engagement with legitimate potential for local health impact.
Contributions to The Michigan Tech Strategic Plan
The applicant's current and potential future contributions toward the strategic goals of The Michigan Tech Plan.
Financial Need
The applicant's demonstrated need for financial support.
Local Connections
Strong preference will be given to applicants with long-standing local connections to Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, or Ontonagon county.
Notification
All applicants will be notified of the panel's decision within three weeks of the due date.
Recipients
Recipients will be asked to:
- Write a thank-you note to the sponsor of the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation.
- Attend and participate in relevant Michigan Tech/community health forums and presentations.
- Acknowledge CSCHF support in resulting research publications and presentations.
- Provide a final report to Michigan Tech to include in its report to the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation.
- Provide a personal photo and personal statement to the University that helps us introduce
the recipient to the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation Board.
- By providing this photo, the recipient allows the University to share it with the CSCHF Board, include on the Graduate School's webpage, include in print publications (including newspapers), share it on social media, and/or other press releases. Students may request to be excluded from inclusion on the webpage or other press releases.
Past Recipients and News