Who Was Robert Noyce?
Robert Noyce (December 12, 1927 - June 3, 1990) was one of the very first scientists to work in the Silicon Valley and ran two of the companies that had the greatest impact on the silicon industry: Fairchild Semiconductor and Intel. He also invented the integrated chip, one of the stepping stones along the way to the microprocessors in today's computers.

What is a "high-need" school district?
A high-need district is defined by NSF as meeting one of the following definitions:

1. It has at least one school in which 50 percent or more of the enrolled students are eligible for participation in the free and reduced price lunch program established by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C.1751 et seq.),
2. It has at least one school in which: (i) more than 34 percent of the academic classroom teachers at the secondary level (across all academic subjects) do not have an undergraduate degree with a major or minor in, or a graduate degree in, the academic field in which they teach the largest percentage of their classes; or (ii) more than 34 percent of the teachers in two of the academic departments do not have an undergraduate degree with a major or minor in, or a graduate degree in the academic field in which they teach the largest percentage of their classes.
3. It has at least one school whose teacher attrition rate has been 15 percent or more over the last three school years.

How many years must I teach in a "high-need" school district?
If you receive a Noyce scholarship, you must teach for two years in a high-need school district for each year of scholarship support you receive.

Will CSUB (or the National Science Foundation) select the school and/or district where I teach?
No, you may teach in the school of your choice, provided it is in a high-need school district. A sample list of California high-need districts is provided here.

I'm thinking of moving out of state after graduation. Must I fulfill my commitment to teach in a high-need school district in California?
No, you may teach in any high-need school district, provided it is in the United States.

Is the Noyce scholarship based on financial need?
No, the Noyce scholarship is merit-based (and prestigious: it will look great on your resume!).