Federation for American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB)
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Caveats: typically have to be a member of the specific society, sometimes unique eligibility criteria apply
Researching Funding Opportunities
Private And Semi-Private Organizations
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
Sigma Delta Epsilon Graduate Women in Science
American Association for University Women (AAUW)
Graduate Women in Science (GWIS)
Association of Women in Science (AWIS)
Associated Western Universities (AWU)
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
Caveats: issues of audience particularly important, these programs target very specific groups (perhaps based on gender or ethnicity) so eligibility criteria can be very specific
Researching Funding Opportunities
Intramural Awards (UCLA or University of California)
Letters of reference: How many and from what types of individuals (i.e. scientific advisors, administrators, supervisors)
Research statement
Personal statement
Preliminary data ( if required)
CV
Detailed timeline of experimental work and exams (if required)
Membership in particular professional organization (if required)
Application Process
Preparation Strategies
Three Main Sets of Issues to Keep in Mind:
Scope
Audience
Pitching/Selling
Application Process
Preparation Strategies: SCOPE
What the funding agency is looking for in successful applicants?
Perhaps the single most important consideration
Examples of specific award descriptions and requests for applications:
Application Process
Preparation Strategies: SCOPE
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship:
“Upload your proposed plan of research essay that in a clear, concise, and original statement, describes research topics you may pursue while on fellowship tenure, and include how you became interested in these topics. Your statement should reflect your own thinking and work, demonstrate your understanding of research principles necessary to pursue these interests, and explain the relationship to your previous research, if any. Present your plan with a clear hypothesis or questions to be asked by the research. If you have not yet formulated a plan of research, your statement should include a description of one question that interests you and an analysis of how you think the question may best be answered. A listing of courses alone is not sufficient. Research topics discussed in your proposed plan may be used in determining eligibility.”
Application Process
Preparation Strategies: SCOPE
American Association of University Women (AAUW) Dissertation Year Fellowship:
“Narrative Autobiography: This should include a statement of career plans and goals and a discussion of any special circumstances that have affected the chronology of the applicant’s career and achievement of her goals. In this statement please describe your commitment to helping other women, as well as you work as a teacher and mentor.”
---All in 1 single spaced page!
“Statement of Project: Description of project, design, research methodology, and expected contribution to knowledge, outline of present state of project and schedule for completion.”
---6 double-spaced pages, including refs!!
Application Process
Preparation Strategies: SCOPE
UCLA Dissertation Year Fellowship:
“In no more than four pages (double-spaced), describe the current status of your dissertation research and your plan for completing the doctoral degree. Include an abstract specifically stating your hypothesis and theoretical framework of your study. Indicate the kinds of data sources you expect to use. If applicable to your field of study, provide information on sampling, instrumentation, data sources and collection, analyses, and expected results. Include a separate, detailed timeline with projected monthly progress for remaining research, writing, revision, and defense of dissertation. Your name and "Proposed Plan for Completion of Dissertation" should appear at the top of each page.”
Application Process
Preparation Strategies: AUDIENCE
Who will read your application?
scientists in your field?
scientists in related fields?
members of a private organization with some background in your field?
lay persons?
Issues of audience are extremely important when crafting the application
be wary of using too much technical jargon
always keep the big picture in mind
Application Process
Preparation Strategies: PITCHING/SELLING
It is critical that your application highlights the qualities that you possess that make you the ideal (and ultimately) successful applicant.
Golden Rule: “show, don’t tell”
You are selling yourself and your research questions
How will the proposed research address the specific goals/concerns of the funding agency?
what is unique and novel about your proposal?
how will your proposed research advance your field?
Application Process
Preparation Strategies: Writing
Find and review examples of successful applications
