Funding Opportunities for Funding Opportunities for Graduates: FellowshipsGraduates: Fellowships and and

Travel GrantsTravel Grants

Daniela Stan Raicu, Ph.D.Daniela Stan Raicu, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorAssistant Professor

UPE SeminarUPE SeminarNovember 1November 1stst, 2005, 2005

FUNDING FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH IS FUNDING FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH IS NOT PRIMARILY ABOUT MONEYNOT PRIMARILY ABOUT MONEY

Why apply for external support?Why apply for external support?

Secure (Relative) IndependenceSecure (Relative) Independence

•Articulate long term plans for independent research

•Distinguish yourself through demonstrating an awareness of the significance of the research

•Many federal programs provide funds for tuition + relatively large stipends ($30K+ annually)

Prestige Factor

•Join distinguished cohorts of scholars

•Gain recognition for your accomplishments

Build Research CollaborationsBuild Research Collaborations

Increasingly large numbers of grants provide Increasingly large numbers of grants provide travel and other opportunities to collaborate travel and other opportunities to collaborate with scholars in the U.S. and abroad.with scholars in the U.S. and abroad.

Pursue Special Interests Pursue Special Interests (Research and Curricular)(Research and Curricular)

Special programs for Graduate Students include: Special programs for Graduate Students include: • Summer internships with industrySummer internships with industry

• Development of community outreach programs to enhance Development of community outreach programs to enhance science instructionscience instruction

• Special opportunities to volunteer your expertise abroadSpecial opportunities to volunteer your expertise abroad

Most Importantly: Your FutureMost Importantly: Your Future

• Research Faculty are expected to Research Faculty are expected to successfully compete and secure external successfully compete and secure external funding for their research. funding for their research.

• Building (early) your capacity to articulate Building (early) your capacity to articulate your research, to network and to write your research, to network and to write grants will enhance your chances for grants will enhance your chances for success.success.

Securing Funding in a Competitive Securing Funding in a Competitive EnvironmentEnvironment

• Grantsmanship for Graduate Student Grantsmanship for Graduate Student Fellowship ProgramsFellowship Programs

• ““Do-It-Yourself” Tips for Identifying Do-It-Yourself” Tips for Identifying Funding OpportunitiesFunding Opportunities

• Resources (Divisional and University) Resources (Divisional and University)

Tips for Competitive Tips for Competitive GrantsmanshipGrantsmanship

• Know YourselfKnow Yourself• Know Your Funder (I): Public vs. Know Your Funder (I): Public vs.

Private Funders and Their Specific Private Funders and Their Specific InterestsInterests

• Know Your Funder (II): Submission Know Your Funder (II): Submission and Review Processesand Review Processes

• Strategic & Effective Communication Strategic & Effective Communication

A. Know YourselfA. Know Yourself• Level (new graduate student, Level (new graduate student,

Dissertation, Postdoc)Dissertation, Postdoc)• Application management (timing Application management (timing

clearance of multiple hurdles for clearance of multiple hurdles for submission)submission)

• Funding Goals (Competitive award? Funding Goals (Competitive award? special initiative ? travel?)special initiative ? travel?)

B. Know Your Funder (I): Public vs. B. Know Your Funder (I): Public vs. Private FundingPrivate Funding

• Federal AgenciesFederal Agencies (Public mandate; basic (Public mandate; basic and applied research to advance specific and applied research to advance specific scientific initiative or mission)scientific initiative or mission)

• Private Independent FoundationsPrivate Independent Foundations (High-risk, innovative investment in new (High-risk, innovative investment in new talent and scientific leadership)talent and scientific leadership)

• Corporations Corporations (support for innovative (support for innovative research subject to corporate recruiting research subject to corporate recruiting and strategic interests)and strategic interests)

• AssociationsAssociations (membership-based (membership-based societies with a special mission/goal)societies with a special mission/goal)

C. Know Your Funder (II): C. Know Your Funder (II): Submission and Review ProcessesSubmission and Review Processes

Federal Agencies(NSF, DOD, EPA, DOE, NASA, etc.)

NSFNSF (National Science Foundation): (National Science Foundation): NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

Website: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2005/nsf05601/nsf05601.pdfGoal:Goal: “to ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science in “to ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science in

the United States” by investing in early career graduate students the United States” by investing in early career graduate students Requirements:Requirements: transcripts; 3 reference letters; Proposed Plan of transcripts; 3 reference letters; Proposed Plan of

Research; personal profile information and various statements Research; personal profile information and various statements (see website). (see website).

Eligibility: Eligibility: 12 months of graduate study (max); US Citizenship or 12 months of graduate study (max); US Citizenship or permanent residency required.permanent residency required.

Deadline (for CS):Deadline (for CS): Nov. 9, 2005;letters of reference due Dec. 31, Nov. 9, 2005;letters of reference due Dec. 31, 2005. 2005.

Submission:Submission: Through NSF FASTLANE. Create own account. Access Through NSF FASTLANE. Create own account. Access at: at: https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp

Special tips:Special tips: - NSF Review Criteria (“intellectual merit” and “broader impacts”)- NSF Review Criteria (“intellectual merit” and “broader impacts”)-Women in Computer Science Awards linked to the program-Women in Computer Science Awards linked to the program

DoD: National Defense Science and DoD: National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship ProgramEngineering Graduate Fellowship Program

Website: http://www.asee.org/ndsegGoal:Goal: “to increase the number of US Citizens trained in disciplines of “to increase the number of US Citizens trained in disciplines of

science and engineering in fields important to national defense” science and engineering in fields important to national defense” Requirements:Requirements: personal statements; external letters of reference personal statements; external letters of reference Eligibility: Eligibility: No more than one academic year of graduate study; US No more than one academic year of graduate study; US

Citizenship required.Citizenship required.Deadline : Deadline : January 6, 2006. January 6, 2006. Submission:Submission: Online. Create own account. Access at: Online. Create own account. Access at:

http://www.asee.org/ndsegSpecial tips:Special tips: - Extremely competitive: 3% of CS applicants received funding - Extremely competitive: 3% of CS applicants received funding - Successful applicants are able to identify and map their research - Successful applicants are able to identify and map their research

onto current research interests of the DoD. This information is onto current research interests of the DoD. This information is available at the following websites: available at the following websites: Department of the ArmyDepartment of the Army ( (http://www.aro.army.mil); Office of Naval Office of Naval ResearchResearch (http://www.onr.navy.mil); ); Air Force Office of Scientific Air Force Office of Scientific ResearchResearch ( (http://www.afosr.af.mil))

Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) STAR Fellowships(EPA) STAR Fellowships

Website: http://es.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2006/2006_star_fellow.htmlGoal:Goal: “ “The purpose of the fellowship program is to encourage The purpose of the fellowship program is to encourage

promising students to obtain advanced degrees and pursue promising students to obtain advanced degrees and pursue careers in an environmental field.”careers in an environmental field.”

Requirements:Requirements: Statement of objectives and narrative statement + EPA Statement of objectives and narrative statement + EPA forms. External letters of reference.forms. External letters of reference.

Eligibility: Eligibility: US Citizenship or permanent residency required.US Citizenship or permanent residency required.Deadline:Deadline: October 18, 2005 October 18, 2005 Submission:Submission: Through “grants.gov”. Create own account, but must be Through “grants.gov”. Create own account, but must be

reviewed by URA. Access at: reviewed by URA. Access at: http://fedgrants.gov/Applicants/EPA/OGD/GAD/EPA-F2006-STAR-F2/Grahttp://fedgrants.gov/Applicants/EPA/OGD/GAD/EPA-F2006-STAR-F2/Grant.htmlnt.html

Special tips:Special tips: - Applicants remain eligible through their fourth year of graduate studyApplicants remain eligible through their fourth year of graduate study- Must have a strong sustainable interest in environmental studies but Must have a strong sustainable interest in environmental studies but

open to all scientific disciplinesopen to all scientific disciplines

C. Know Your Funder (II): C. Know Your Funder (II): Submission and Review ProcessesSubmission and Review Processes

Private Independent Foundations, Private Independent Foundations, Corporations & AssociationsCorporations & Associations

John and Fannie Hertz FellowshipsJohn and Fannie Hertz FellowshipsWebsite: http://www.hertzfndn.org/eligibility.shtmlGoal: MGoal: Merit based fellowships in the applied physical sciences. erit based fellowships in the applied physical sciences.

Supports scholars who demonstrate exceptional creativity, broad Supports scholars who demonstrate exceptional creativity, broad understanding of physical principles, and outstanding potential for understanding of physical principles, and outstanding potential for innovative research. innovative research.

Requirements: Requirements: online application, interview, letters of reference.online application, interview, letters of reference.Eligibility: Eligibility: current graduate students early in their careers may current graduate students early in their careers may

apply.apply.Deadline:Deadline: October 28, 2005. October 28, 2005. Submission:Submission: Through website: Through website:

http://www.hertzfndn.org/application.shtmlhttp://www.hertzfndn.org/application.shtmlSpecial tips:Special tips: - “Applied" is broadly construed to mean fields of endeavor in - “Applied" is broadly construed to mean fields of endeavor in

which one applies, invents, and/or develops results from the which one applies, invents, and/or develops results from the basic physical sciences to generate solutions to problems of basic physical sciences to generate solutions to problems of comparatively near-term, widespread human interest. comparatively near-term, widespread human interest.

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americansfor New Americans

Website: http://www.pdsoros.orgGoal: Goal: to provide opportunities for continuing generations of able and to provide opportunities for continuing generations of able and

accomplished New Americans to achieve leadership in their accomplished New Americans to achieve leadership in their chosen fields. chosen fields.

Requirements: Requirements: online application, interview, letters of reference.online application, interview, letters of reference.Eligibility: Eligibility: applicants must be under 30, be a “new american” and applicants must be under 30, be a “new american” and

have no more than two years of graduate study.have no more than two years of graduate study.Deadline:Deadline: November 1, 2005. November 1, 2005. Submission:Submission: Through website listed above. Through website listed above.Special tips:Special tips: - Successful applicants must demonstrate: 1) creativity, originality - Successful applicants must demonstrate: 1) creativity, originality

and initiative; 2) a capacity for exceptional accomplishment; 3) a and initiative; 2) a capacity for exceptional accomplishment; 3) a commitment to the values expressed in the US Constitution and commitment to the values expressed in the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.the Bill of Rights.

-”New Americans” are naturalized US citizens, resident aliens, or -”New Americans” are naturalized US citizens, resident aliens, or children of naturalized citizens.children of naturalized citizens.

IBM Fellowship ProgramIBM Fellowship ProgramWebsite:

http://www.developer.ibm.com/university/scholars/fellowship/phd

Goal: Goal: honors exceptional Ph.D. students in an array of focus areas of honors exceptional Ph.D. students in an array of focus areas of interest to IBM and fundamental to innovation. interest to IBM and fundamental to innovation.

Requirements: Requirements: faculty nomination; online application submitted by faculty nomination; online application submitted by nominator. Departments may only submit two nominations nominator. Departments may only submit two nominations annually.annually.

Eligibility: Eligibility: must have completed at least one year of graduate study. must have completed at least one year of graduate study. Deadline:Deadline: October 31, 2005. October 31, 2005. Submission:Submission: Through website above. Through website above.Special tips:Special tips: - Areas of current interest are provided on the program website- Areas of current interest are provided on the program website- Fellowships may be renewed for up to three years. An IBM mentor is - Fellowships may be renewed for up to three years. An IBM mentor is

assigned and an IBM Think Pad is provided. NO citizenship assigned and an IBM Think Pad is provided. NO citizenship restrictions, but must be affiliated with an US university.restrictions, but must be affiliated with an US university.

Microsoft Graduate Fellowship Microsoft Graduate Fellowship ProgramProgram

Website: http://www.research.microsoft.com/aboutmsr/jobs/fellowships/

Goal: Goal: honors exceptional Ph.D. students in an array of focus areas of honors exceptional Ph.D. students in an array of focus areas of interest to IBM and fundamental to innovation. interest to IBM and fundamental to innovation.

Requirements: Requirements: department chair nomination; online application department chair nomination; online application submitted by nominator. Maximum of three applicants per dept.submitted by nominator. Maximum of three applicants per dept.

Eligibility: Eligibility: Citizenship unspecified; preference given to candidates Citizenship unspecified; preference given to candidates that are completing their second or third year in a Ph.D. programthat are completing their second or third year in a Ph.D. program

Deadline:Deadline: October 17, 2005. October 17, 2005. Submission:Submission: Through website above. Through website above.Special tips:Special tips: - All recipients will be interviewed for summer internships at Microsoft - All recipients will be interviewed for summer internships at Microsoft

Corporation. Scholarships are awarded for two academic years Corporation. Scholarships are awarded for two academic years and each recipient will be given a TabletPC.and each recipient will be given a TabletPC.

A Sampler of Additional CS A Sampler of Additional CS OpportunitiesOpportunities

For travelFor travel

NSF East Asia and Pacific Summer InstitutesNSF East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes Website: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5284 Website: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5284 Deadline: 12/13/05Deadline: 12/13/05

Belgium American Educational Foundation: Graduate Study or Research in Belgium American Educational Foundation: Graduate Study or Research in BelgiumBelgium

Website: www.baef.beWebsite: www.baef.beDeadline: October 31, 2005Deadline: October 31, 2005

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation: Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Alexander von Humboldt Foundation: Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in GermanyGermany

Website: http://www.humboldt-foundation.de/en/programme/stip_aus/stp.htmWebsite: http://www.humboldt-foundation.de/en/programme/stip_aus/stp.htmDeadline: Open/RollingDeadline: Open/Rolling

Sampler (continued)Sampler (continued)

To launch a career in…To launch a career in…

Bioinformatics (academia)Burroughs Wellcome Fund: Career Awards at the InterfaceWebsite:http://www.bwfund.org/programs/interfaces/

career_awards_background.html#ProgramBackgroundDeadline: May 1, 2006

Public PolicyAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science FellowshipsWebsite: http://fellowships.aaas.org/Deadline: January 10, 2006

Sampler (Continued)Sampler (Continued)

To conduct research off-campusTo conduct research off-campus

Radcliffe Institute: Fellowship Program for Natural Scientists and Radcliffe Institute: Fellowship Program for Natural Scientists and MathematiciansMathematicians (open to men and women/postdocs) (open to men and women/postdocs)

Website: http://www.radcliffe.edu/fellowships/apply/index.phpWebsite: http://www.radcliffe.edu/fellowships/apply/index.phpDeadline: December 1, 2005Deadline: December 1, 2005

Los Alamos National Laboratory: Graduate Research AssistantshipsLos Alamos National Laboratory: Graduate Research AssistantshipsWebsite: Website: http://www.lanl.gov/education/grad/about.shtmlhttp://www.lanl.gov/education/grad/about.shtml

Deadline: Rolling/openDeadline: Rolling/open

Argonne National Laboratory: Graduate Research AppointmentsArgonne National Laboratory: Graduate Research AppointmentsWebsite: http://www.dep.anl.gov/highered/labgrad.htmWebsite: http://www.dep.anl.gov/highered/labgrad.htmDeadline: Open/RollingDeadline: Open/Rolling

Sampler (continued)Sampler (continued)

For Women and MinoritiesFor Women and Minorities

Google Anita Borg Scholarships:Google Anita Borg Scholarships: Annual award to encourage training of female Annual award to encourage training of female computational scientists computational scientists

Website: http://www.google.com/anitaborg/ Deadline: January 20, 2006Website: http://www.google.com/anitaborg/ Deadline: January 20, 2006

AT&T Bell Labs Cooperative Research Fellowships for Women and MinoritiesAT&T Bell Labs Cooperative Research Fellowships for Women and Minorities

Website: Website: http://www.research.att.com/academic/http://www.research.att.com/academic/Deadline: January 31, 2006Deadline: January 31, 2006

American Association of University Women: Dissertation FellowshipsAmerican Association of University Women: Dissertation FellowshipsWebsite: http://www.aauw.org; Deadline: November 15, 2005Website: http://www.aauw.org; Deadline: November 15, 2005

Ford Foundation Pre- and Post-Doctoral Fellowships for MinoritiesFord Foundation Pre- and Post-Doctoral Fellowships for MinoritiesWebsite: http://www7.nationalacademies.org/fellowships/Ford_Fellows_Home_Page.htmlWebsite: http://www7.nationalacademies.org/fellowships/Ford_Fellows_Home_Page.html

Special Programs for Non-US Special Programs for Non-US CitizensCitizens

Several international, private and intergovernmental organizations provide Several international, private and intergovernmental organizations provide support to non-US citizens studying in the US. Examples include:support to non-US citizens studying in the US. Examples include:

Kosciuszko Foundation: Fellowships and Grants for Polish CitizensKosciuszko Foundation: Fellowships and Grants for Polish Citizens

Website: www.kosciuszkofoundation.orgWebsite: www.kosciuszkofoundation.org

American-Scandinavian FoundationAmerican-Scandinavian Foundation

Website: www.amscan.orgWebsite: www.amscan.org

American Association of University Women: International FellowshipsAmerican Association of University Women: International Fellowships (all fields; women (all fields; women graduate students that are non US citizens)graduate students that are non US citizens)

Website: http://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/international.cfmWebsite: http://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/international.cfm

Vietnam Education FoundationVietnam Education Foundation (special focus: Information Technology/mathematics) (special focus: Information Technology/mathematics)

Website: http://www.vef.gov/fieldsofstudy.htmWebsite: http://www.vef.gov/fieldsofstudy.htm

D. Strategic and Effective D. Strategic and Effective CommunicationCommunication

• Learn about your funder Learn about your funder • Tailor your application (why one size Tailor your application (why one size

does not fit all)does not fit all)• Why letters of reference are criticalWhy letters of reference are critical• Review BoardsReview Boards• ““Thinking outside the disciplinary Thinking outside the disciplinary

box”box”

Resources and SupportResources and Support

Resources (For Funding Resources (For Funding Opportunities)Opportunities)

Illinois Research and Information Service (IRIS)Illinois Research and Information Service (IRIS)

Website: Website: http://www.library.uiuc.edu/iris/http://www.library.uiuc.edu/iris/

Community of Science (COS)Community of Science (COS)Website:http://fundingopps.cos.com/Website:http://fundingopps.cos.com/

Questions ?Questions ?

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