Title : NSF 94-133 -- MINORITY POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS AND SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES Type : Program Guideline NSF Org: BIO / BIR Date : September 23, 1994 File : nsf94133 MINORITY POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS AND SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES *******************************N-O-T-E********************************** 1. For 1994 ONLY, the deadline for receipt of applications has been extended for one month. 2. This announcement has been put on STIS for your information. However, not all forms are complete in this version. Please contact NSF for a hard copy of the program announcement to ensure that your application is complete. Incomplete applications may be returned without review. Copies may be requested by phoning (703) 306-1469 or e-mail to ckimsey@nsf.gov on internet. ********************************************************************* Program Announcement Directorate for Biological Sciences Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences Deadline for Receipt of Fellowship Applications is the first Friday In December. Graduate Student Travel Award Applications must be received no later than 3 months before the travel. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION The Directorates for Biological Sciences (BIO) and Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) announce a program of Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships and related supporting activities. The term "minority" as used in this announcement refers to those ethnic groups that are significantly underrepresented at advanced levels of science and engineering in the U.S., i.e., Native Americans (including American Indians and Alaskan Natives), Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Pacific Islanders. This program is an effort by the NSF to increase the number of research scientists from underrepresented minority groups, thereby contributing to the future vitality of the Nation's scientific enterprise. Approximately twelve fellowships are awarded each year. The deadline for submission of fellowship applications is the first Friday in December annually. Graduate Student Travel Award applications may be submitted up to 3 months before the proposed travel. The goal of the program is to prepare minority scientists for positions of scientific leadership in academia and industry. To attain this goal, the program provides opportunities for postdoctoral training of the highest quality to recent minority Ph.D.s. The program has other special features that address particular needs of these young scientists: 1. Travel awards to meet prospective sponsoring scientists. Travel awards are available to graduate students as they begin planning to apply for a postdoctoral fellowship and allow visits to 2 or 3 laboratories to meet prospective mentors, present seminars, discuss mutual research interests, and initiate a working relationship. 2. Workshop for Sponsors and Fellows. NSF hosts an annual workshop for mentors and Fellows to provide a forum for discussing ways to foster the most productive and supportive training environment during the postdoctoral period. 3. Starter research grant. At the end of the postdoctoral period, the Fellow is eligible to apply for a one-year starter grant to initiate an independent research program. The Fellowships are designed to permit Fellows to choose the research and training environment most beneficial to their scientific development. This requires a change from the doctoral institution. If this change is not proposed, an explicit explanation must be provided in the application. ELIGIBILITY You are eligible to apply for a NSF Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowship if you meet all the following criteria. (1) You are a citizen, national, or lawfully admitted permanent resident alien of the United States and are also a member of one of the ethnic minority groups that are underrepresented in science and engineering in the U.S., i.e., Native Americans, Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Pacific Islanders. (2) You have earned the doctoral degree in an appropriate scientific field no more than 4 years before the deadline date of your application or you will earn this degree no more than one year after the deadline date. (3) You have completed no more than 2 years of postdoctoral support prior to the deadline for this fellowship application. (4) Your proposed research falls within the program areas of the Directorate for Biological Sciences or the Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (see descriptions below or the most recent NSF Guide to Programs). Please note that bioscience research with disease-related goals, including work on the etiology, diagnosis, or treatment of physical or mental disease, abnormality, or malfunction in human beings or animals is normally not supported. Animal models of such conditions or the development or testing of drugs or other procedures for their treatment also are not eligible for support. Applications for research deemed by NSF to be inappropriate to NSF will be returned without review. You are eligible to apply for a Minority Graduate Student Travel Award if you meet criteria (1) and (4) above and are within 18 months of earning the doctoral degree. You are eligible to apply for a Research Starter Grant if you are an NSF Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you have accepted a tenure-track position at an institution eligible to receive NSF funds, and your research area falls within the purview of the Directorate for Biological Sciences or the Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences of NSF. DESCRIPTIONS OF RESEARCH IN THE DIRECTORATE FOR BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES The Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) supports research on the origins, functions, relationships, interactions and evolutionary history of organisms, populations, species, communities, and ecosystems. It includes support for disciplinary and interdisciplinary activities with emphases on biodiversity, global change, mesoscale ecology, computational biology (through modeling), conservation biology and restoration ecology. Within this Division, Systematic and Population Biology supports research on the patterns and causes of diversity among organisms, populations, and species. Ecological Studies supports research in natural and managed, terrestrial, wetland, freshwater and estuarine habitats on the mechanisms of species interactions, and on the structure and functions of communities and ecosystems. The Division of Biological Instrumentation and Resources (BIR) helps provide the infrastructure required for contemporary research in the biological sciences. Within this Division, Instrument Development for Biological Research supports development of new instrumentation that will increase the accuracy, range or sensitivity of observations for the BIO research fields. Computational Biology supports development and use of computational tools, algorithms, and related research that will enhance biological sciences research and infrastructure. Scientific Databases for the Biological Sciences supports cross-disciplinary efforts to design, develop, implement and use database resources. The Division of Integrative Biology and Neuroscience (IBN) supports research integrating genetic, molecular, cellular, whole-organism, evolutionary, and ecological approaches to understanding the development, functioning, and behavior of organisms in both laboratory and natural settings. Emphasis is on the use of a diversity of organisms as biological models. Within this Division, Developmental Mechanisms supports research on processes that comprise the life cycle of organisms, including gametogenesis, fertilization, embryogenesis, pattern formation, morphogenesis, differentiation, and senescence. Neuroscience supports research on all aspects of nervous-system structure, function, and development. Physiology and Behavior supports integrative studies of physiological functions at the cellular, systemic, and organismal levels, and animal behavior in both field and laboratory settings. The Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) supports research that contributes to a fundamental understanding of life processes at the molecular, subcellular, and cellular levels. Within this Division, Cell Biology supports research on the structural and functional organization of plant, animal, and microbial cells and on signaling pathways and regulation at the cellular level. Biochemistry and Molecular Structure and Function supports research on the structure, functions, dynamics and metabolism of biological molecules. Genetics and Nucleic Acids supports studies of genetic organization, recombination, transcription, genome replication, and function and transmission of heritable information in all organisms from viruses to plants and animals. DESCRIPTIONS OF RESEARCH IN THE DIRECTORATE FOR SOCIAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND ECONOMIC SCIENCES The Division of Social, Behavioral, and Economic Research (SBER) supports research in a broad range of disciplines and in interdisciplinary areas. The goals of the Division are to advance fundamental scientific knowledge about (1) cognitive and psychological processes in human beings; (2) cultural, social, politicial, spatial, environmental, and biological factors related to human behavior; (3) human behavior, interaction, and decision making; (4) social, political, legal, economic systems, organizations, and institutions; and (5) the intellectual, value, process, and impact factors related to the development and use of science and technology. Additional detail on specific programs is found in NSF 94-64, Social, Behavioral, and Economic Research. The Division of International Programs (INT) has the special function of expanding and facilitating the international aspects of NSF's mission by promoting new partnerships between U.S. scientists and engineers and foreign colleagues. INT assigns high priority to activities designed to provide international experience to the next generation of U.S. scientists, including postdoctoral fellows, with particular emphasis on increasing participation by minorities and women. INT's own Postdoctoral and Junior Faculty Fellowships provide support at foreign institutions for 6 to 24 months. More detail is provided in NSF 93-51 (revised 11/93). LOCATION OF FELLOWSHIP WORK Fellowships will be awarded for scientific research at any appropriate nonprofit United States or foreign institution. Appropriate nonprofit institutions in this program include institutions of higher education as well as government laboratories, national laboratories, and public and private research institutes. All arrangements for affiliation with a sponsoring scientist and fellowship institution are the responsibility of the Fellow. A statement is required from the sponsoring scientist with whom the Fellow plans to work, indicating a commitment to serve as mentor and to provide necessary research facilities and other assistance during the requested Fellowship period. Applicants are encouraged to consider tenure at appropriate foreign institutes. They will, however, be required to submit evidence of acceptance by the institution prior to initiating the Fellowship. FELLOWSHIP TENURE, STIPENDS, AND ALLOWANCES The Fellowship is awarded for two years. Applicants who plan to spend their 2-year tenure at a foreign institution may request a third year of support at an appropriate U.S. institution. If interruptions or extensions are necessary, the maximum fellowship tenure is 36 months. Under special circumstances, a Fellow may apply for extension of the Fellowship for up to one year. Such application must be made by January 1 prior to the expiration date of the fellowship. In BIO, requests for extensions of tenure will be reviewed with new applications for Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships by a panel of experts. Special circumstances include the intrinsic biology of the system under study, e.g., long generation times of organisms, long-term ecological processes, or extenuating circumstances not predictable at the time of application. It is expected that the number of extensions will be very limited. The Fellowship will start upon request by the Fellow after acceptance of an award offer, but not later than January 1 following the offer letter. Fellows are advised that stipend payments are made from the U.S. Treasury and typically are received no sooner than 4 to 6 weeks after tenure begins. The Fellowship provides a stipend, an institutional allowance to aid in defraying indirect costs associated with research, and a special allowance for certain kinds of direct research-related costs, as described below. The stipend is $28,000 per year. No additional funds for a dependency allowance are available. The institutional allowance of $4,000 per year is for partial reimbursement of expenses incurred in support of the Fellow and the research (such as space, equipment, general purpose supplies, and fringe benefits) and will be paid directly to the institution in lieu of indirect costs. The special allowance of $8,000 per year is expendable at the Fellow's discretion and is to be used for scientific supplies, research-related travel, publication expenses, and other research-related costs, and may be used for the Fellow's health insurance. Applicants proposing foreign tenures may be eligible for additional assistance from INT and should contact the program coordinator for the host country at (703) 306-1710. Applicants proposing a Japanese institution should contact the U.S.-Japan Program at (703) 306-1701. In addition to the regular fellowship stipend and allowances, Fellows to Japan may be eligible to receive round-trip travel support and, while in Japan, allowances for housing, professional travel within Japan, Japanese language study, and dependents' travel, housing, and education. Fellowships can be accompanied by Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities. Information is available in NSF 91-54 and from the Program Coordinator at (703) 306-1636. FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION MATERIALS AND DEADLINE Reproductions of any required application forms are acceptable. To be eligible for consideration, a complete application with the required number of copies must be received at NSF no later than the first Friday in December. Type may not be smaller than 10 point although 12 is preferred. Incomplete and late applications may be returned to the applicant. A complete application consists of one set of original documents and collated copies of selected forms. Forms are provided in the appendices. The required originals are 1. the application form 2. curriculum vitae 3 abstract 4. research and training plan 5. sponsoring scientist's statement 6. supplementary information 7. certifications 8. 3 references in sealed envelopes Also required are five (5) collated copies of items 1 through 5 above. The research and training plan contains a personal statement describing the career goals of the applicant and a research plan for the tenure of the fellowship. The description of planned research and training activities should be developed in collaboration with the sponsoring scientist. The personal statement should be limited to one page and the overall research and training plan may not exceed 5 single-spaced pages, excluding the bibliography. All page margins must be at least 2.5 cm and the type selected no smaller than 10-point font. In describing the planned research, the applicant should present a background section and a clear statement of objectives, methods, and significance of the research. Explicit experimental details need not be given, but rather a clear statement of objectives and approaches to accomplish them, and hypotheses and how to test them. In addressing the training plan, the applicant should expain how the proposed research will help achieve the career goals, what were the primary factors in selecting the proposed fellowship institution and sponsoring scientist, and what role the chosen research, sponsoring senior scientist and host institution will play in enhancing the applicant's conceptual approaches and technical skills. NSF encourages Fellows who choose U.S. institutions to include research experience of 6 months or longer in a foreign laboratory or site. If a foreign activity is proposed, the plan should include details of the visit (where, when, how long), the unique opportunities, the expected outcome, and a letter of endorsement from the host institution. The references should include the doctoral advisor but not the proposed sponsoring scientist. The referees should be provided a copy of the research and training plan so they can comment specifically on the proposed fellowship activities in addition to their personal knowledge of the applicant. Applicants whose research involves human subjects and /or vertebrate animals must indicate in the plan their awareness of regulations and guidelines pertaining to this type of research. Such information should be available at both the present and proposed institutions. Successful applicants must provide NSF with statements that the research has been reviewed and approved by the appropriate institutional committees, giving assurance of compliance with all Federal policies on research using humans and the care and use of animals. These requirements are relevant to both laboratory and field projects. Special certifications and permits must be provided when projects involve collecting in foreign countries, endangered species, or hazardous materials. The complete Fellowship application and copies must be sent in one package to one of the following addresses: for applications in biological sciences NSF MINORITY POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS BIR/BIO ROOM 615 NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 4201 WILSON BOULEVARD ARLINGTON VA 22230 or for applications in social, behavioral and economic sciences NSF MINORITY POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS CROSS DIRECTORATE ACTIVITIES/SBER ROOM 995 NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 4201 WILSON BOULEVARD ARLINGTON VA 22230 EVALUATION AND SELECTION OF FELLOWS The evaluation of applicants will be based on: * Ability, as evidenced by the personal statement, past research accomplishments, and letters of recommendation; * Suitability, availability, and commitment of the sponsoring scientist and other colleagues; * Suitability of the host institution for the proposed research; * Likely impact on the future scientific development of the applicant; * Scientific quality of the research. In BIO, applications are evaluated by a panel of expert research scientists from appropriate disciplines. In SBE, merit evaluation of applications is carried out by mail review. The selection of Fellows will be made by NSF on the basis of recommendations of the panel and reviewers, and with due consideration for the effect of the fellowships on the infrastructure of science in the United States. Priority will be given to applicants who are currently graduate students about to enter their first year of postdoctoral training. Successful applicants will be notified by offer letters on or about May 1. All applicants will receive copies of reviews and/or panel comments as close to June 1 as possible. CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT FOR FELLOWSHIPS Fellowships are awards to individuals, not to host institutions. All awards are made subject to the general provisions in the brochure entitled Information for Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellows, which is mailed to successful applicants with the NSF award letter. This Announcement covers, in general terms, the information contained in the brochure. An individual may not accept an NSF Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowship and another postdoctoral fellowship or Federal research grant concurrently. Fellows will be expected to devote full time to appropriate scientific research during the tenure of the Fellowship and to pursue the program for which the Fellowship was awarded. Major changes in the plan of scientific research, in tenure, or in Fellowship institution require prior NSF approval. Institutions may supplement Fellowship stipends without prior permission from NSF provided that such is done in accordance with established institutional policies. Supplementation may not be conditioned on any requirement for duties in addition to normal Fellowship activities and may involve teaching only to the extent of conducting or participating in seminars directly related to the Fellow's research program. In the context of the above guidelines, funds that the institution has obtained from external (including Federal) sources may be considered as institutional funds. When appropriate, NSF project grants may be used for supplementation in an amount not to exceed $1,000 per year for any Federally-assisted Fellow. The stipend is paid at the rate of $2,333 by a monthly Electronic Funds Transfer from the U.S. Treasury to any U.S. bank account or institution specified by the Fellow. There is no allowance for dependents. The special allowance of $8,000 per year is paid to the Fellow at the beginning of the fellowship tenure. It is to be used to defray costs associated with the research (such as scientific supplies, travel, publication expenses, and other research-related costs) and may also be used for health insurance. All Fellows, especially those working overseas, are encouraged to obtain health insurance. An institutional allowance of $4,000 per year is an administrative allowance paid directly to the host institution for partial reimbursement of its share of fringe benefits and expenses incurred in support of the Fellow (such as space, equipment, and general-purpose supplies) in lieu of indirect costs. The Fellowship tenure begins upon request of the Fellow after acceptance of an award offer. Tenure can begin on the first day of any month from July to January. Stipend payments begin after tenure is initiated; initial stipend and allowance checks should not be expected to arrive earlier than 6 to 8 weeks after tenure has commenced. NSF claims no rights to any inventions or writings that might result from its fellowship awards. However, Fellows should be aware that NSF, other Federal agencies, or private parties may acquire such rights through other grant support. Applicants are encouraged to discuss institutional policies on intellectual property rights with the host institution before submitting an application, as well as the policies of the sponsoring scientist regarding what materials and projects must remain with the host laboratory at the end of the fellowship. Fellows at foreign institutions should be aware that specific provisions regarding allocations of intellectual property rights apply to particular countries, and Fellows should be cognizant of any such provisions before commencing work. Fellows are obligated to include an acknowledgment of NSF support and a disclaimer in any publication that arises from their Fellowship-supported research. At the end of each fellowship year, Fellows are required to submit in duplicate a brief progress report to NSF. A letter format with two copies of reprints is satisfactory. Upon termination of the fellowship, Fellows are required to submit a Final Project Report, NSF Form 98A. Fellows will be asked to provide information on their professional activities following their fellowship tenure to assist NSF in assessing how well the program is meeting its objectives. During or after the fellowship, Fellows may be invited to participate in special NSF-sponsored symposia focused on research performed by Fellows by presenting papers or as discussants. ACTIVITIES SUPPORTING THE MINORITY POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM Travel Awards For Minority Graduate Students Graduate students who are within 18 months of earning their Ph.D. degrees or who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for a Fellowship may apply for a travel award. The purpose of the travel award is to assist the candidate in the selection of a postdoctoral mentor and in the development of an application for an NSF Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. The award may be used to cover airfare and living expenses while visiting the host scientist's institution. The travel award may also be used to attend professional meetings to meet potential mentors. Graduate students can apply for travel funds to cover a maximum of three such visits; the total amount of the travel award shall not exceed $3,000 per student. A check is mailed directly to the student and indirect costs are not allowed. Graduate students should discuss the selection of potential postdoctoral mentors with their thesis advisors and obtain a letter of recommendation from the advisor including a statement of their concurrence with the selections. A letter from each host scientist is required also. Travel awards and Fellowships are independent in that the granting of a travel award provides no assurance of a Fellowship. If a postdoctoral mentor already has been chosen, a graduate student may apply directly for the Fellowship without applying for a travel award. To be eligible for consideration for a travel award, an application must be complete. Local reproductions of all forms are acceptable. Applicants must submit one signed original of each of the following: (1) the completed travel award application form (appendix T); (2) curriculum vitae; (3) personal statement (not to exceed one single-spaced page) describing the career goals of the applicant; (4) travel plan that describes the purpose of each trip, the itinerary, and a budget; (5) statements from the sponsoring scientists at the proposed host institution(s) indicating agreement with the travel plan; (6) a letter of recommendation and a statement from the thesis advisor in support of the travel plans; and (7) supplementary information (appendix 6). Also required are 2 collated copies of items 1 through 6 above. Applications for travel awards may be submitted at any time but must be received at NSF no later than 3 months prior to the planned travel. They are to be sent to one of the above addresses. Workshop for Postdoctoral Mentors and Fellows All current Fellows and mentors will be invited to a workshop annually. The purpose of the workshop is to promote the development and growth of Fellows. The workshop will include scientific presentations by Fellows and mentors in the program. The workshop will allow program participants to meet each other, share experiences, and get to know NSF Program Officers. Participation in the workshop is considered an important part of the Fellowship program. Starter Research Grant Fellows who elect to pursue an academic career and accept a tenure-track position at a U.S. institution eligible to receive NSF funding immediately following their fellowships may apply for a special one-year, nonrenewable starter grant to assist in establishing an independent research program. The starter grant is for a maximum of $35,000 total costs, requires matching funds on a 2:1 (institution:NSF) basis from the institution, and may have no funds apportioned for administrative expenses in lieu of indirect costs. Neither funds provided by NSF nor the matching funds pledged by the institution may include salary for the Fellow or be used for the renovation of laboratory or office space, but are to be used only for costs related to the conduct of research that falls under the purview of the Directorate for Biological Sciences or Social, Behavior, and Economic Sciences at NSF. To request a starter grant, the Fellow sends 2 sets of the following documents to the Fellowship Coordinator (see NSF 94-2, Grant Proposal Guide, for all forms): 1. Supplementary information on principal investigator, NSF Form 1225 2. NSF cover page, Form 1207 (one must be a signed original) 3. Project summary, NSF Form 1358 4. Progress report of fellowship activities (no more than 3 pages) 5. Project description (no more than 3 pages) 6. Biographical sketch, NSF Form 1362 7. Budget, NSF Form 1030 (see special instructions below) 8. Current and pending support, NSF Form 1239 The budget form has 2 columns on the right side. The first, labeled Funds Requested by Proposer, should be used to show the total of institutional matching plus NSF funds, and the second column, labeled Funds Granted by NSF, to show the NSF funds only. There are no calendar year deadlines or target dates for starter grant applications. Starter grants are not fellowships but provide research support; therefore, requests are assigned to the cognizant research programs for staff review and decision. The Fellowship Coordinator consults with program officers to determine the appropriate program assignment for the starter grant request and notifies the applicant of the assignment. Additional information Questions concerning NSF Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships and supporting activities may be directed to: Directorate for Biological Sciences (703)306-1469 or Directorate for Social, Behavioral, & Economic Sciences (703) 306-1733. FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION FORM National Science Foundation Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships 1 The deadline for receipt of applications is the first Friday in December. Please type, if possible. Surname Given Names Other Names Used SOCIAL SECURITY NO. _______--_____--________ CURRENT POSITION Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Institution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Title of Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date this position started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Source of support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PROPOSED FELLOWSHIP INSTITUTION including department PROPOSED SPONSORING SCIENTIST including title OTHER INSTITUTION AND SPONSOR if short-term international experience is proposed BRIEF TITLE of your proposed research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NSF Form 1281A (7/94) (p. 1 of 2) APPLICATION FORM page 2 National Science Founation Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships 1 DOCTORAL DEGREE Department and Institution Date awarded or anticipated date of receipt REFERENCES (do not use your sponsoring scientist) Name Department Institution Phone Ph.D. Advisor 2. 3 EXPECTED STARTING DATE OF FELLOWSHIP _________________ 1, _______ month year OTHER SUPPORT Have you applied for any other fellowships or similar appointments for all or part of the tenure herein requested?________ If so, name of agency or program: Have you ever received an NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship?________ If yes, when and from what program? TELEPHONE NUMBER(S) where you can be reached during daytime hours until awards are announced. Please also provide FAX, if available. E-MAIL ADDRESS I have read the program announcement in detail and have noted its conditions. Signature of applicant Date _________________ THIS APPLICATION IS NOT COMPLETE WITHOUT YOUR SIGNATURE. NSF Form 1281B (7/94) (p. 2 of 2) APPLICANT'S curriculum vitae National Science Foundation Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships 2 NAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Undergraduate Education Institution Degree and Date Conferred Major/Minor Graduate Education Institution Department Thesis Advisor Degree and Date Conferred or Expected Informative Title of Thesis Research Additional Graduate or Undergraduate Education, if any Institution Department Description All Positions and Awards Within the Past 3 Years NSF Form 1281C (7/94) (p. 1 of 2) curriculum vitae page 2 National Scence Foundation Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships 2 List of your PUBLICATIONS, including any publications expected from the Ph.D. thesis research if the thesis has not been completed. Give complete citations and full titles. Identify abstracts. Do not list presentations at meetings or posters. You may attach a 200-word abstract of your thesis research. NSF Form 1281D (7/94) (p. 2 of 2) ABSTRACT OF FELLOWSHIP RESEARCH National Science Foundation Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships 3 Do not exceed 200 words. Please use the narrative form and avoid using the first person. Applicant's Name Title of research plan NSF Form 1281E (7/94) RESEARCH & TRAINING PLAN National Science Foundation Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships 4 Begin on this page and attach no more than 4 pages plus the bibliography. NSF Form 1281F (7/94) SPONSORING SCIENTIST'S STATEMENT National Science Foundation Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships 5 _______________________________________________________ is applying for an NSF Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowship and proposes to conduct research in your laboratory. Evaluation of the applications will include assessing your commitment to serving as the Fellow's mentor and the value of the proposed research and training plan to provide the basis for a future independent research career. As Fellows are free to choose the most suitable laboratory, the range of opportunities available to the applicant in your laboratory is an important factor in evaluating the application. Please attach a brief statement addressing the following 5 items and provide an abbreviated (2-page maximum) CV listing no more than 5 publications most closely related to the applicant's research and training plan, no more than 5 other publications, and the graduate students and postdoctorals who have trained with you. 1. A brief description of your research projects. 2. Your current and pending research support, both public and private. Have you submitted the work proposed by the applicant elsewhere? If so, please explain the degree of overlap with this proposal. 3. An explanation of how the research and training plan of the applicant would fit into your program and what role you would play. 4. How you plan to foster the development of the applicant's future independent research career. 5. Personnel with whom the Fellow would work. NOTE: PLEASE SIGN THIS FORM and return it and the attachments to the applicant in time to be submitted to NSF with the remainder of the application no later than the first Friday in December. Your Name, Title and Institution (typed): Telephone_____________________FAX______________________________ E-mail__________________________________________________________ Signature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date_____________ NSF Form 1282G (7/94) Supplementary Information National Science Foundation Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships 6 Submit only ONE copy of this form. Leave the back of the page blank. Do not include this form with any of the other copies, as this may compromise the confidentiality of the information. Please check the appropriate answers to each question for the applicant: NOTE: OBTAIN PRINTED COPY OF PUBLICATION FOR FORM 1225A Certifications National Science Foundation Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships 7 There are three certifications which, by law, must be made before the National Science Foundation can authorize funds for a fellowship award. These concern (1) controlled substances, (2) delinquency on Federal debt, and (3) debarment and suspension. I certify that: 1. I will not engage in unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of a controlled substance in the conduct of any activity with this fellowship award; 2. I am not delinquent on repayment of any Federal debt; and 3. to the best of my knowledge and belief, a. I am not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from covered transactions by any Federal department or agency; b. I have not within a three-year period preceding my application been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against me for commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public (Federal, State, or local) transaction or contract under a public transaction; violation of Federal or State antitrust statutes or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property; c. I am not presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a government entity (Federal, State, or local) with commission of any of the offenses enumerated in paragraph 3.(b) of this certification; and d. I have not within a three-year period preceding this application had one or more public transactions (Federal, State, or local) terminated for cause or default. _________________ ___________________________________ Date Signature NSF Form 1281H (6/93) Fellowship Recommendation Form National Science Foundation Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships 8 NAME OF APPLICANT REFEREE Name Department Institution 1. How long have you known the applicant? 2. In what capacity(ies)? 3. Briefly describe the applicant's research contributions and their significance to science. What has been the applicant's role in these advances? The quality of performance? (Use an additional sheet if necessary.) 4. How will the proposed research and training provide the applicant with the opportunity to learn new conceptual approaches and experimental skills? NSF Form 1281I (7/94) (p. 1 of 2) Recommendation Form page 2 National Science Foundation Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships 8 NAME OF APPLICANT 5. How do you think the proposed research and training will contribute to the development of a future independent research career? 6. On the following scale of 1 to 5, please rank the applicant. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Outstanding Average or, if you are the graduate advisor, please complete the following: I rank this applicant as _____(number) among _____ (number) graduate students I have supervised in the past ______ years. Please check one of the two statements below: A. [ ] My identity and this report must be held in confidence. B. [ ] This report may be released to the applicant upon request. If box A is checked, the Foundation will honor your request to the extent permitted by law. Signature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date Telephone Number FAX _________________________________ E-mail Please send this form in a sealed envelope to the applicant for mailing to NSF along with the remainder of the application. Applications must be received at NSF the first Friday in December. NSF Form 1281J (7/94) (p. 2 of 2) CHECKLIST FOR FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS Do send 1 set of originals of the following: a. the application form b. curriculum vitae c abstract d. research and training plan e. sponsoring scientist's statement f. supplementary information g. certifications h. 3 references in sealed envelopes and 5 collated copies of items a through e Do not send reprints, preprints, abstracts, theses, transcripts, or other materials not specifically requested in this announcement. TRAVEL APPLICATION FORM National Science Foundation Graduate Student Travel Awards T Please type, if possible. Applications may be submitted at any time but must be received no later than 3 months before the travel. NAME Surname Given Names Other Names Used SOCIAL SECURITY NO. _______--_____--________ MAILING ADDRESS for correspondence. Please keep NSF informed of a current mailing address. CURRENT POSITION Department Institution Expected date of doctoral degree PROPOSED FELLOWSHIP INSTITUTION(S) including department PROPOSED SPONSORING SCIENTIST(S) including title PROPOSED SCIENTIFIC MEETING, if any, including title, dates, and location BRIEF TITLE of your proposed research NSF Form 1285 (7/94) Checklist for Graduate Student Travel Awards Do send 1 Set of originals of the following: a. travel application form (appendix 1T) b. curriculum vitae (appendix 2) c. personal statement d. travel plan e. sponsoring scientist's statement(s) f. recommendation from thesis advisor g. supplementary information (appendix 6) and 2 collated copies of items a through f Do not send reprints, preprints, abstracts, theses, transcripts, or other materials not specifically requested in this announcement. OMB No. 3145-0023 PT 22 KW 0401000, 0402000, 0407000, 0408000, 0409000, 0410000, 0411000, 0412000,0414005, 0414006, 0414011, 0414014, 0417000, 1002000, 1002004, 1002006,1002007, 1002008, 1002011, 1002016, 1002019, 1002027, 1002030, 1002034,1002040, 1002058, 1002059, 1002071, 1003002, 1007001 NSF 94-133 (Replaces NSF 91-118)