Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate...
Transcript of Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate...
![Page 1: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
StrategiesforSuccessfulGraduateFellowshipSubmissions
DebraHaringandCindyGaryAssistantDeans,GrantsandContracts
Arts,Sciences&EngineeringSeptember30,2016
1
![Page 2: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
INTRODUCTION
2
1.0
![Page 3: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
INTRODUCTION–FELLOWSHIPS
• Grantsmanshipistheartofgainingpeer-reviewedfunding.• Ourobjective:tohelpyouoptimizeyourchancesofsuccesswhencompetingforfellowships.
• ThisISacompetition.Thebiggestreasonforfailureisthatthereissimplynotenoughfundingforallapplicants.
• Successorfailuredependsonthequalityoftheproposalandcomprehensivenessoftheapplication.
• Goodgrantsmanshipwon’tmakeamediocreproposalfundable.• Butgoodgrantsmanshipcanturnaverygoodproposalintoafundableproposal.
• Itmaytakeseveralsubmissionstobecomefunded.• Bepersistent;takecritiquesinthespiritinwhichtheyareextended,andbepersistent.
3
1.1
The image cannot be displayed. Your computer may not have enough memory to open the image, or the image may have been corrupted. Restart your computer, and then open the file again. If the red x still appears, you may have to delete the image and then insert it again.
![Page 4: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
SEARCHINGFORFUNDINGOPPORTUNITIES• URFellowships&Awards-http://www.rochester.edu/fellowships/
• UROtherFunding-http://www.rochester.edu/fellowships/other.html
• SPIN-https://spin.infoedglobal.com/Home/Search
• FoundationDirectory-https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/search/member-index
• Grants.gov–http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html
• WebsitesofSponsors(i.e.,ACLS,NIH,DOE,CASVA,NSF)
• Foundation&Corporatewebsites(i.e.,Simons,Kauffman,Microsoft,etc.)
• Allfederalagencies(andsomeorganizations)havee-alertsystems–register!
4
1.3
![Page 5: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
PROGRAMANNOUNCEMENTS/GUIDELINES• Apublic“call”orasolicitation(announcementwithguidelines).• Federal:ProgramAnnouncements(PA),RequestsforProposals(RFP),
FundingOpportunityAnnouncement(FOA),orfortheDept.ofDefenseandDept.ofEnergy,BroadAgencyAnnouncements(BAA).
• Checkforthemostcurrentprogramannouncement.Often,oldannouncementsarearchived,mayappearinonlinesearches.
• Guidelinesarethebestsourceofinformationabouttheapplication’sexpectationsandthereviewcriterion.
• Readthembeforeyoustarttheapplication,readthemagaininprocessandreadthemagainasyoupreparetosubmit;keepacopyandrefertothemoften.
• Someprogramsalsoofferwebinars,and/orhavespecialwebsiteswithawealthofinformationaboutprograms.Ø Example:NSFGraduateResearchFellowshipProgram(GRFP)https://www.nsfgrfp.org/
5
1.4
![Page 6: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
BEFOREYOUSTARTTOWRITES OM E T H I N G S WO R T H D O I N G
• Understandthefundingagency/sponsoranditspriorities
• Duediligence-cindoutwhat/who/howmuchtheagencyfunds.
• Reviewthelistofrecipientsfor“like”grantees.Thiswillgivecontextaboutthefunder.
• Sponsorsfundgranteestoadvancetheirmissions,notthegrantee’sobjectives.Yourresearchidea/cieldneedsto"cit"wellwiththemissionofthefunder.Yourintellectualobjectivesshouldbealignedwiththoseofthesponsor.
• Doubtsorquestions?Contactagencypersonnel.Theywanttohelp,butdoyourhomework8irstbycheckingFAQs,thewebsite,andaskingonlytargetedquestions.Don’taskquestionscoveredintheGuidelinesandonlineinstructions.
• Seekoutadvisorswhohaveservedon,orhavereceivedgrantsfromtheagencyintherecentpast.Theymayhave“insider"informationandtips.
• Thisisn’tanexactscience:Ø Foundations,inparticular,maychangepriorities.Ø Federalfundingrespondstoagencystrategicplanningandinresponseto
U.S.governmentnationalprioritiesandagencyallocations.
6
2.0
![Page 7: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
BEFOREYOUSTARTTOWRITE
B EG I N TO C L A R I F Y YOUR I D E A S
• Doyouhaveaclear,concise(andtestable,ifapplicable)hypothesisoridea?• Haveyourobjectivesandaimscomeintofocus?
“Needingfunding”isnotanacceptableobjective.• Whatquestion(s)willbeaddressed?• Canyoudecineanddesignspecicicexperiments/scholarlyprocessesthatwilltestyour
hypothesisorexpanduponanimportantidea?• Canyoudecinemeasurableandrealisticoutcomesoftheproject?
• Canyouidentifyandarticulatemethodsmostlikelytoachievethoseoutcomes?• Canyouthinkofwaystoassessormeasureoutcomes/success?• Canyouestablishyourcredibilityandcapacityforresearch?
7
2.1
![Page 8: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
BEFOREYOUSTARTTOWRITE
• Findexamples.Reviewsuccessfulfellowshipproposalsofpeers-usetheirorganization,butofcoursenottheircontent,asamodel/template.
• Identifyappropriatefacultyand/oradvisorstohelpyou.Identifyotherpeople
“onyourteam”whowillcriticallyreadyourproposal:peers,graduatecoordinator,assistantdeansandresearchspecialist,CollegeWritingCentertutors,and/ormentors.
• Discussideasandsubmissionwithyourresearchadvisor;advisorsarebest
resourceforresearchproposalandmayidentifygapsinlogic.Youwillneedyouradvisor’ssupporttogoforward.
• Talktoyourgraduatedirector,departmentchair,administratorand/or
graduatecoordinatorofyourintentionandtheduedate.Remindagainatcriticalstagesifyouneeddirectinputfromthem.
• WRITE!Writingisawayofthinking.Itisawayofdeveloping,clarifyingandtestingideasaswellasexpressingthem.
8
T H I N G S WO R T H D I S C U S S I N G W I T H O T H E R S
2.2
![Page 9: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
THEAPPLICATION• ReadthegeneralinstructionsCAREFULLYandfollowthem
EXACTLY.Don’timprovise!!
• Successfulapplicationsmuststandoutfromthecompetition;thesadrealityisthatreviewersreceivemanymoreapplicationsthancanberecommendedforfunding.
• Fellowshipapplicationsshouldbe"apleasuretoread;”Contentshouldbepolished,organizedandattractive.
• Useappropriatetypesize,font,spacingandmargins.Ifundisclosed,assumeconventionalfont,i.e.,TimesNewRoman,12-point,singlespacewith1inchmargins.
• Neverexceedthemaximumnumberofpagesorspace/charactersallowed.
• Ifextramaterials(attachmentsand/orappendices)aren’tallowed,don’tsubmit;submitadditionalinformationafterthedeadlineonlywhenexplicitlyallowed.
9
3.0C OMMON S E N S E T I P S
Thequickestwaytogetaproposalreturnedwithoutreviewis
noncomplianceandincompleteapplications;secondonlytonot
meetingthedeadline.
![Page 10: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
THEAPPLICATIONUND E R S T A N D I N G T H E R E V I EW P R O C E S S
10
3.1
![Page 11: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
COMPONENTSOFAGOODPROPOSAL
Thinkofyourproposalasanargumentforwhyreviewersshouldrecommendyourprojectforfunding.Well-formulatedproposalshavesomeorallofthefollowingcomponents:
1. Anopeningthatdrawsattention.Ananecdote,apowerfulstatistic,acompellingquestion,orastatementofimpact/signicicance.
2. Aconcisestatementthatexplainsyourproject.ThereviewershouldknowexactlywhatyourresearchisaboutwithintheAirstfewlinesoftheproposal.
3. Areviewofwhatisalreadyknownaboutyourtopic.Makeacaseforwhyyourresearchisnecessary;requiresshowingyourknowledgeofthecield,priorliterature.
4. Anexplanationofhowcurrentliteratureleadstoyourresearchquestions.Acitedargumentthattheresearchwilladdtoknowledge.Makeacaseforhowtheliteratureleadstoyourresearchquestions.
5. Adescriptionofhowyouplantoansweryourquestions.Nowthatyouhavesetupyourtopic,explainexactlywhatyourmethodologywillbeandwhyitisthebestapproachforthisproject.
6. Atimelineforcompletion.Asuccessfulgrantproposaliscompelling,creative,andfeasible.Youmustshowthatyouhavethoughtthroughthewholeprojectandthatyouhaveareasonabletimelineforcompletion.
11
UND E R S T A N D I N G T H E R E V I EW P R O C E S S
3.2
![Page 12: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
THEAPPLICATION
Fellowshipsarejudgedontheapplicants’proposal,academicrecord,GREs,recordofproductivity,andlettersofsupport.However,youcanfacilitateabetterreviewbyunderstandingthereviewprocess.
• Yourobjectiveistomakethereviewersenthusiasticadvocatesofyourproposal.
• Rememberthatreviewersaredoingthisaboveandbeyondtheirdailyresponsibilities.Theytypicallyreviewmanysimilarapplicationsinanygivenprogram.
• Assumethereviewerisinasomewhatrelatedcield,ratherthanforanexpertdirectlyinyourarea;aimtheapplicationatboththespecialistandthegeneralist.
• Reviewersmayreviewunderlessthanidealconditions(evenings,weekends,holidays,atmeetings,withscreamingkidsinthehouse,orevenonthewaytoreviewcommitteemeetings).Theymaybegrumpyordistracted.Surprise:theymaywaituntilthelastminutetoreviewyourapplication!
• Reviewersmayworkinbitsandpiecesand/orskim.Organizeyourapplicationinaccessible,digestiblesections,usingformattingsothatitcanbereadefciciently.
• Organizewithappropriateheadingsandsub-headings,whitespace,cigurecaptions,tablecaptions,usingsimpleandobviousnumericalclassicications.
• Makeiteasytoenjoyreadingyourapplication;usegoodwritingpractices,i.e.,thesisstatement,topicsentences,supportingparagraphs,conclusion,etc.
Knowyouraudience.Don’tmakereviewersdoextraworktounderstandyourproposal
12
3.3UND E R S T A N D I N G T H E R E V I EW P R O C E S S
![Page 13: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
THEAPPLICATION
• Avoidabbreviations,acronymsandjargonthatanon-expertwon’tunderstand.Ifyou
useabbreviations,fullydecinethemthecirsttime-i.e.,UniversityofRochester(UR).
• Don’trelyonlyonyourcomputerspelling/grammarchecker.Useadictionaryandathesaurus;proofreadandpolish.
• Editingtip:Proofreadinseveralformats-changethefontdrastically,changethescreensize…anythingtomakeyourselfapproachtheproposalafresh.
• Spelling,formatting,andgrammaticalerrorsraisea“redclag”andperhapsmoreimportantly,annoyreviewers.
o Mechanicalerrorsdistractfromtheproposedideasandreclectpoorlyontheapplicant.
o Presentationspeakstothecredibilityoftheproposer-iftheproposalispreparedcarefully-byimplication-theresearchwillbecarefullyconducted.
o Usedirectshortsentences.Long,convoluted,complexsentencescanlosethereaderalongtheway.
o Researchhasdemonstratedthattheaveragereaderlosesthethreadofanargumentafter~15words.Neverusealong,compoundsentencewhentwoshortersentenceswilldo!
o Printoutahardcopyatleastonce.Flawssuddenlybecomeapparentonpaper.
13
3.4E N G L I S H U S A G E – P R OO F R E A D I N G T I P S
![Page 14: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
THEAPPLICATION
• Ensurethatafairlycinaldraftisreviewedatleastbyyouradvisor.• Otherswhocanhelp:
o Additionalfacultyinyourdirectresearchareacancheckrelevance,accuracy,ambiguities,andthequalityofproposal.
o Ageneralistcancheckforclarity,languageclow.
o Someonewhoisagoodeditor/writer;choosesomeonewhocanbe(kindly)criticalandhonest.
o Yourletterwriters–shareyourproposalwiththem
o IfEnglishisnotyournativelanguage,alwaysengageanativeEnglishspeaker’shelp.
Giveinternalreviewersenoughtimetodoathoroughjob.
14
3.5I N T E R N A L R E V I EW I S E S S E N T I A L
![Page 15: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
STARTEARLYWellbeforethedeadline:• RequesttranscriptsandGREscoreswellinadvance.• Enlisthelpfromdepartmentaladministrativestaff,graduatecoordinator,peers,others(parents)for
proofreading.• Obtainsupporters’agreementtowritelettersofsupportearly;thesearecriticaltofellowship
submissions.• Providesupporterswithadraftofyourproposalandyourrésumé.• Startwriting!Writeafewhourseveryday,notinonelongmarathon.Beforethedeadline:• Bepreparedtosubmitaheadoftime!
Ø Onthedayofdeadlineinvariably:o Thecopymachineisoccupiedbyothersorisbrokendown.o Yourlaptophasavirus,yourharddrivecrashed,you’velostallyourdata.o Youradvisorisaway;everyoneinthedepartmenthasleftfortheday.o Theonlineportalisbusyormalfunctioning.Yougettheidea…….
• Ifpapercopy,sendoutbyFedExorexpressmail/courierandtrackthepackage.• Ifonlineindependentsubmission,makesuretosubmit
atleast2daysinadvanceofthedeadline.Thedayofthedeadline:It’sover.Relax.Getsomesleep!!J
15
4.0
![Page 16: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
ORGANIZINGTHEPROPOSAL
1) TitleorCoverpage/Onlineinfo2) Abstract/ProjectSummary
Ø ForNSF-Overview,IntellectualMeritandBroaderImpact3) HypothesisandObjectives4) SpecicicAims(especiallyforNIH)5) BackgroundandSignicicanceSection6) PreliminaryData/Studies7) ResearchDesign&Methods;forNIH,ResearchStrategy(mayinclude
assessment)8) LiteratureCited/Bibliography9) AppendedDocuments/Sections(mayberequired)o Personalessayo Essayoncareerplanso CVorrésuméo Lettersofsupportfromfacultyo Budgetandbudgetjusticicationo FacilitiesandOtherResources(i.e.,accesstolab,libraries,specialized
equipment,sharedresourcesandfacilities).
16
5.0S E C T I O N S F O R M AN Y F E L L OW S H I P A P P L I C A T I O N S
![Page 17: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
THEPROPOSAL-GENERAL
• Tailoryourproposaltothemostimportantinformation,basedonthespecicicspaceconstraintsofeachsponsor.
• Demonstratefocused,original,innovative,andfeasibleresearch.
• Forscienticicproposals,proposealternativestrategies,incasetheoriginalexperimentsormethodsfail.
• Usediagrams,graphics,tablesandcigures:“Apictureisworthathousandwords”.However,bemindfulthatthatcopiesmayprintinblackandwhite.
• Keepreviewersengagedwithyourexcitementandpassionforthetopic.
Writeandrewrite:workandpolishtheproposal. Even
withinputfromothers,alwayskeepyourownauthenticvoice.
17
6.0
![Page 18: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
THEPROPOSAL-GENERAL• Don’toverstateorimplythatastudywillbecarriedout"becauseithasnever
beendone"or"therearenodataon…"
• Beconcident,butnotarrogant-remember,youarestillastudent/trainee.Reviewerswillappreciatetheappropriatetone.
• Ontheclipside,don’tbetootentative.YouareamemberoftheURresearchcommunity,whichhasbeendeemedeminentlyfund-worthybythefederal&stategovernment,industryandprivatedonors.
• Passive,tentativelanguageweakensproposals.Projectthatyouhaveeveryintentionofachievingyouraims.Reviewersdislikesentencessuchas“Ihopetoattempttoseekthedevelopmentof….”
• Stateexplicitlyhowtheproposalrelatestothemission,objectivesandprioritiesofthesponsor.
• Referenceyourwriting.Useintellectualintegrityinallyourwriting.
18
6.1
![Page 19: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
THEPROPOSAL
Helpfultousefollowingexampleheadingsandexpand,insequence:• HypothesisandLong-TermObjectives• SpecicicAims• BackgroundandSignicicance:CurrentStateofKnowledge(Literaturereview)• PreliminaryStudies(studentsmaynothavepreliminarydata)• ResearchDesignandMethodsorifNIH,ResearchStrategy• Timetable-graphictimeline,ifpossible• StrengthsandWeaknesses-berealistic,butnotself-defeating.Thissection
demonstratesthatyouarepreparedforeventualities.Reviewersdon’texpectyoutohavealltheanswers.
• Conclusion-wrapitup,ifpossible.Oftenthereisnot enoughspaceforageneralconclusion.
19
6.2S P E C I F I C C OM PON E N T S F O R S T EM A N D S O C I A L S C I E N C E S
![Page 20: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
THEPROPOSAL
• Thebodyoftheproposalcantaketheformofadescriptivenarrativeoranswerstospecicicquestionsoraspecicicneed.
• Thesponsor’sstatedhumanisticpriorities,inadditiontoapplicationinstructions,canguidetheorganizationofyourproposal.
• Beginbyoutlininginformationguidedbycivequestions,basictomostresearchproposals:1) Whatisityouwanttolearn?2) Howareyougoingtolearnthis?3) Whyisitworthdoing-whyisitimportant?4) Timelineanddesiredoutcome-completeddissertation,archivalresearch,
additionalchapterscinalized?5) Howwillreceiptofthefellowshipadvanceyourresearch?Howareyouuniquely
qualiciedtoconductthestudy?• Outlinethewholeproposal,thenreviewtoseethateverythingrequiredisincluded,with
minimalredundancy,andthattheorganizationisaseffectiveaspossible.• Endonahighnote-concludewiththeinspirationalstatement,signicicancetoyourcield.
20
6.3S P E C I F I C I N S T R U C T I O N S F O R H UMAN I T I E S
![Page 21: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
TITLEPAGE&PROJECTTITLE
• Fillintitlepage/coverpagecompletelyandaccuratelyandensurethatanysignaturesareobtained,ifneeded.
• Thetitleofyourprojectisimportant.
o Itsetsthecirstimpression.
o Oftenused,alongwiththeAbstract/ProjectSummary,toroutetheapplicationtotheappropriatereviewcommittee(s).
o Yourtitleshouldbedescriptive,specicicandappropriate,andshouldreclecttheimportanceoftheproposal.
o Acatchytitleandacleveropeningwillpotentiallygetyoutheattentionyouneedtostandoutamongothersvyingforthesamefunding.
21
7.0
![Page 22: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
ABSTRACT/SUMMARYOFPROPOSAL
Theabstractisaconcisedescriptionoftheproposal,evenwhenitisseparatedfromtheapplication.SometimescalledProjectSummaryorExecutiveSummary.Itshouldstandonitsown.Notallfellowshipapplicationsrequireanabstract,butiftheydo…….Thismaybethemostimportantsectioninyourapplication.
• Itisthecirstsectionreadandsetsthecirstimpression.• Workonitaftermostoftheproposalhasbeenwrittenandcine-tuned.• ORwriteitcirstanduseitasanoutlineforyourproposal,tweakingattheend.• Itmustbeunderstoodbybothexpertsinyourcieldandbygeneralists.• Forscienticicabstractsusethird-personlanguage.• Theprimaryreviewer(s)readtheentireapplication,butothersmayread
onlytheabstract;itmaybetheonlysectionreadbyallthemembersofthereviewcommitteewhorecommendfunding(ornot).
22
8.0
![Page 23: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
HYPOTHESIS,VISION&LONG-TERMOBJECTIVES
• Atestablehypothesis-drivenproposalismostpersuasiveforscienticicproposalsusinganempiricalapproach.
• ForHumanitiesproposalsthiswillbetheidea/vision/statementofneed,i.e.,“theimportantinsightortheenduringquestion”thatexaminessomethingaboutthehumancondition.
• Beginwiththestatedhypothesisoridea,andlinkittoyourlong-termobjectives.
• Whatdoyouintendtoaccomplish?• Whatisthesignicicanceandrelevanceoftheresearch?
23
9.0
![Page 24: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
SPECIFICAIMS• SpecicicAimsaredifferentfromthehypothesis/ideaandserveadifferent
purpose.• Thesearethespecicicsteps,experiments,cield–work,archivalwork,
comparativestudiesandreadingsthatwillbeundertakeninordertoful8illthelong-termobjectives.
• Presenttheminalogicalandsequentialorder;refertothemthroughoutthe
proposallinkingwritingbacktoSpecicicAims.• Indicateprioritiesandfeasibility.
• BereasonableaboutwhatcanaccomplishedwithintheperiodoffundingØ Example:Manyfellowshipsareavailableforoneyearonly-whatcanberealistically
accomplishedinoneyear?• Forlongerprojectsthathavenumerousincrementalsteps,deviseaplanfor
benchmarksoranassessmentofresultsalongtheway.
24
10.0
![Page 25: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
BACKGROUND&SIGNIFICANCE
• Thissectionshouldanswerthreequestions:
1)Whatisalreadyknown?
2)Whatiscurrentlynotknown?
3)Whyisitimportanttogainunderstanding/knowledge?
• Brieclyoutlinethehighlightsinthebackgroundsection.Criticallyevaluaterelevantliterature:don’tjustpresentacompendiumorlist.
• Discussanycontroversy,disagreement,and/ordiscrepanciesinthepublishedresults.
• Identifyspecicicgapsandcontradictionsthatwillbeclariciedbyyourstudy.Carrythisintotherationaleforyourproposal.
• Emphasizetheimportanceandrelevancewhichconnectsyourhypothesesandlong-termobjectivestotheliteraturereview.
25
11.0C U R R E N T S T A T E O F K N OW L E D G E
![Page 26: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
PRELIMINARYDATAANDEXPERTISE
• Describerelevantpreliminarydata.• Beginningstudentsmaynothavetheirowndata-stateifyouarebuildinguponyouradvisor’s/group’sresearch.Theextentofthissectionwilldependuponwhereyouareinyourgraduatecareerand/ortheagency’srequirements.
• Reviewothers’preliminarystudies,resultsandscholarship.Thiswillhelpestablishyourexperience,competenceandcredibility.
• Persuadereviewersofyourrelevanttraining,andthatyouhavesubstantivedataorareworkingwithanexpertwhodoes.Ø Summarizeanyrelevantpreviouswork,highlightinguniquequalicicationsandskills.Explainhowtheseskillsareutilizedinyourproposedstudy.
Ø Listanypublicationsandposterpresentations(ifpermitted).Ifpreviouslyfundedbytheagency,statethatelegantly.
26
12.0
![Page 27: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
RESEARCHDESIGN&METHODSResearchDesign&MethodssectionoutlineshowyouplantofulAilltheSpeciAicAims.
• Presentthissectioninalogicalandsequentialorder.• DescribetherelationshipofeachSpecicicAimtoeachotherandtotheoverall
objectives.ThenoutlinethedesignandmethodstoaccomplisheachAim,andexplainwhythisapproachwaschosen.
• Reference,butdonotdescribeindetail,well-knownorstandardprocedures.• Describeproceduresthatareneworunlikelytobeknowntoreviewers.• Fornewmethods,explainwhytheyare“better”thanexistingmethods(more
cost-effective,fewersteps,lessadverseenvironmentalimpact,utilizenewtechnology,etc).
• Discusscontrolexperiments,ifrelevant.• Explainprocessesfordatacollection,analysisandinterpretation.• Acknowledgepotentialdifcicultieswithmethodology-suggestalternative
procedurestoachievetheaims.• Statepossibleweaknessesand/orambiguitiesandyourresponse(i.e.,
preemptreviewercriticisms).
27
13.0
![Page 28: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
RESEARCHSTRATEGY-NIHOrganizetheResearchStrategyinthespeciciedorder
andusingtheNIHinstructions:
SigniWicance• Importanceoftheproblemorcriticalbarrierto
progress.• Howtheproposedprojectwillimproveknowledge/
technology.• Howcieldwillbechangediftheproposedaimsare
achieved. Innovation
• Howproposalchallengesandseekstoshiftcurrentresearch.
• Noveltheoreticalconcepts,approachesormethodologies,instrumentationorintervention(s).
Approach• Overallstrategy,methodology,andanalysestobeused
toaccomplishthespecicicaims.• Potentialproblems,alternativestrategies,benchmarks.• Anystrategytoestablishfeasibility;strategiestodeal
withhazardousmaterials.
28
13.1
![Page 29: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
BUDGETMostagenciesstateanallowablebudgetforfellowships,independentofthescientiWicmeritoftheapplication.ThisinformationcanbefoundonthewebsiteandGuidelines.
• Fellowshipsaretypicallylimitedtoafewcategoriesofexpense:
ü Stipendü Tuition(costofeducationorinstitutionalallowance)ü Travelü Suppliesü Institutionalpaymentforrelatedfees
• Thebudgetusuallystandsalone;aseparatesectionfromtherestoftheapplication.• Althoughrareforgraduatefellowships,abudgetjusticicationissometimesrequired.
Yourbudgetiscinancialdescriptionofyourproject;thejusticicationispersuasive,explanatorydetailastohowyouarrivedatthiscalculation.
• Writethebudgetjusticicationinthesameorderasthelineitemsorintheorderthesponsorlistslineitemsforthebudget.Usethird-personlanguage.
Ø Example:$1,000toattendtheAmericanEconomicSocietyannualmeetinginChicago,ILisrequestedtopresentaposter.Thesecostsareestimatedasfollows:airfare$500(estimatesbaseduponInternetsiteExpedia);conferenceregistration$200,andsubsistence$300(basedupon$75perdayforfourdays).
29
14.0
![Page 30: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
BUDGET• MethodofPayment:Doesthepaymentcometotheinstitutionorwillthe
awardcomedirectlytotheawardee?
• TaxImplications:AllstipendsmustbereportedtotheIRSfortheamountofstipendpaid.UndercurrentlawsandregulationsthefellowisresponsibleforsubmittingestimatesofincometotheIRSandpayingtheamountdue.ThefellowmayhaveasimilarliabilityforStateand/orlocaltaxes.URadministrationandfundingagenciesareprohibitedfromgivingtaxadvice.
• Manynationalgraduatefellowshipsprovideaninstitutionalallowance(calledcostofattendanceand/orinstitutionalpayment).Typicallyprovidedtosupportpartialpaymentoftuitionandfees.Ø Examples:theNSFGraduateResearchFellowship,theFordFoundationPre-doctoralFellowship,
TheACLS/MellonDissertationCompletionFellowship,theNationalDefenseScience&Engineering(NDSEG)fellowship,theHowardHughesMedicalInstitutePre-doctoralFellowship
• Indirectcosts(overhead,F&Arate)arerarelyallowedforfellowships.
30
14.1
![Page 31: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
CURRICULUMVITAE-RÉSUMÉ
Mostapplicationsaskforsomekindofbiographicalinformation.• FollowtheGuidelinesandprepareaccordingly.• Ofteninformationisentereddirectlyintheonlineapplicationandnoseparate
résumé/CVisallowed.• Ifallowed-makeitbrief(1-2pages,ifunspecicied).• Useheadingsanddescribesequentially:educationalpreparation;research
experience;honorsandawards;publicationsandtalks,ifany;communityexperience,especiallyleadershiproles;additionalskills(language,specializedcomputerprograms,relatedworkexperience).
• Lessismore–organizeinformationtobeeasilyaccessibletoreviewersandanyadministratorswhohandletheapplicationataglance.
• Donotincludeanypersonalinformation(DOB,SS#,maritalstatus,personalwebpage,citizenshipstatus).Ø Iftheagencyneedspersonalinformation,suchascitizenship,they’llrequestit.
31
15.0
![Page 32: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
LETTERSOFREFERENCE
• Recommendationlettersand/orinstitutionallettersofendorsementorcommitmentaregenerallyacriticalpartofthefellowshipapplication.
• Inadditiontointellectualmerit,fellowshipsareoftenreviewedonthebasisoftheapplicants’potentialorpromiseforscholarship.(Incontrasttofacultyproposalswhicharealsoreviewedforrecordofproductivityasevidencedbypublications,fundedgrants,priorresults).
• Recommendationlettersmayhavespecicicformat,submissionandpagelimitations.Providecompleteinstructionstofacultysupportersandallowthemenoughtimetoprovideathoughtfulandsubstantiveletter.
• Makeiteasyforrecommenderstodoagoodjob!Ø SendsupportersdraftsofyourmaterialØ RemindthemofthedeadlineandsubmissionprocessesØ Providename/emailofyourgraduaterep.ordepartmentsecretary
ifconcidentialityiswarrantedorrequestedbytheagency/sponsor
32
16.0
![Page 33: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
INSTITUTIONALOVERSIGHT
ORPA–theOfWiceforResearchandProjectAdministrationatURprovidesinstitutionaloversightoverallsponsoredresearch.www.rochester.edu/orpa
• ORPA–providesmanyservicestoresearchersforpre-award(proposal)developmentandsubmission.
• IfaproposalrequiresinstitutionalcontactsoranauthorizedsigningofcicialanORPArepresentativemustbelisted.
• ORPAistheonlyofcicethatcansubmitaproposalfortheinstitution.Readtheprograminstructions–mostfellowshipsarenotsubmittedviatheinstitution,howevermostgrantsare.
• ORPAmayneedtoprovidealetterattestinghowfellowshipfundswillbeappliedand/orthatnooverheadischarged.
• ORPAmayverywellnotplayaroleinyoursubmission,butinformingyourdepartmentofyourintentionwillprecludeanyconfusionaboutwhetherORPAshouldbeinvolved.
33
17.0
![Page 34: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
POSTSUBMISSION&AWARDCONSIDERATIONSü InformyourGraduateStudiesOfciceifyouhavereceivedafellowship.
Wetrackthisinformation.• ShouldyoureceiveachecktoURforeducationalfees,contactthe
GraduateStudiesOfcice.Staffcanassistwithdepositandset-upofasponsoredresearchaccountforresearchrelatedexpenses.
• Ifthesponsorrequiresprogressorcinalreports,makesurethesearepreparedandsubmittedtimely.
• Evenifnoreportsarerequired,sendaformalnoteofthankstotheprogrammanager.
• Follow-upwiththesponsorasyouachievebenchmarksinyourcareer.Sponsorswanttoknowthattheirinvestmenthasimpact.Ø Example:MellonFoundationfundedyourdissertationcompletion.Onceyouhavepublishedyourthesis,sendacopywithanotethankingthemfortheirsupport.
• Ifyouaresuccessful,youhavejoinedanelitegroupofscholarswhohavebeenfunded;thecontactsyoumakeviathisprocessmaybeusefulnetworkingcontactslater.
34
18.0
![Page 35: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
COMMONPITFALLS• Poor(sloppy)presentationand/ornotenoughfocusfortheproposedproject.
• Incompleteapplication;noncompliancewithinstructions;formattingandmaterialsnotinaccordancewithGuidelines.
• Thestudent/investigatorrunsoutoftimetodoathoroughjoband/orenlistotherswhocanbecrucialtothesuccessoftheproposal.
• Forfoundationalfundingespecially,theresearchideaisnotcompelling;notinnovative,notground-breakingornotalignedwithmissionofthesponsor.
• Proposalisunrealisticallyambitious.Therearenoclearlydecinedprioritieswithnosenseofwhatcanbeaccomplishedduringthetermofthefellowship.
• Theliteraturepriorstudiesreviewislacking.Ø Noevidencethattheproposerisfamiliarwithpriorwork/knowledgeinthecield.
35
19.0
![Page 36: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
THEGOODNEWS….
• Youareagraduatestudentatamajorresearchuniversity• YourURpeershavebeensuccessfulinsubmissionandreceiptoffellowships.• Thereareinstitutional,onlineresourcestohelpyoucindappropriatefunding.• TherearepeopleatURwhocanhelpyounavigatethisprocess.• Youradvisor,departmentanduniversityareallinvestedinnurturingyour
successandprofessionaldevelopment.• Youwilllearnagreatdeal-mostwritingcanbere-purposed.• Fellowshipreceiptisarésumé/careerbuildingendeavor.• Experiencewillhelpineachsubsequentapplication.Goodgrantsmanshipisthecombinationofagreatideacoupledwithclearandpersuasivewriting,meticulousattentiontodetail,andduediligencetosponsorguidelines.
36
20.0
![Page 37: Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions · Strategies for Successful Graduate Fellowship Submissions Debra Haring and Cindy Gary Assistant Deans ... • Ensure that](https://reader033.fdocuments.in/reader033/viewer/2022041513/5e2934cde0279320776743a3/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
PANELISTSIskanderZulkarnain–VisualandCulturalStudiesCLIRFellow,previousMellon/ACLSDissertaFonCompleFonFellowshipLisaVandenbossche–EnglishMcNeilCenterforEarlyAmericanStudiesDissertaFonFellowshipandLibraryCompanyofPhiladelphiaFellowshipsRubenYepezMunoz–VisualandCulturalStudiesMellon/ACLSDissertaFonCompleFonFellowshipJenniferSuor–ClinicalandSocialSciencesinPsychologyNIHNaFonalResearchServiceAward(NRSA)CollinScllman–PhysicsandAstronomyDOENNSAStewardshipScienceGraduateFellowshipChristopherFarrar–BiomedicalEngineeringNIHNaFonalResearchServiceAward(NRSA)
37
21.0