NSF renews funding for mentor program

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded the Computing Research Association (CRA) $530,000 for continued support of a Distributed Mentor Project for undergraduate females in computer science and computer engineering (CS&E). The intent of the program is to increase the number of women entering graduate school in CS&E by involving them in research at a university with a female mentor. Because of the limited number of female researchers in CS&E who can serve as role models and mentors, we believe the undergraduates should be brought directly to the professors for a summer of research. Students will be involved in research and will also learn how a research university operates, meet graduate students and professors and get a chance to observe a successful female researcher up close.

Basic structure

Students and professors apply to CRA. The deadline for applications is February 1, 1996. A committee will examine the applications and select at least 20 student/professor matches for funding. Students and mentors will be notified by March 15, 1996.

Funding consists of up to $5,000 per match. Some of this money is given directly to the student to pay a stipend and cover lodging (lodging costs vary, typically about $1,000-$1,500). CRA reimburses travel expenses. A student's funding is intended to cover up to 10 weeks of research in the summer of 1996, but alternative arrangements are possible. Mentors and their universities receive no funding for the summer of research, but limited funds will be available to cover conference travel for selected students and mentors after the summer of research.

Mentors and students will be given training packages on mentoring and will be expected to participate in an electronic discussion group. This will provide additional mentoring opportunities while distributing the load among mentors, and it will establish cohesiveness among all participants. It is intended to be a source of support for mentors and students.

One aspect of the continuing project is a longitudinal evaluation, covering all five years of the project (1994-98). This third-party evaluation is intended to provide formative feedback and to assess the long-term impact of the project. The evaluation is not intended to check on the performance of individuals participating in the project, and participants' anonymity will be maintained as far as possible. All participants are expected to take part in the evaluation; the time involved will be minimal.

Copies of the application form and other useful information can be accessed on the Web at http://cs.wisc.edu/~condon/cra-mentor, by anonymous FTP at ftp.cs.wisc.edu:/cra-mentor/ and from the AFS file system at /p/ftp/cra-mentor. An interim evaluation report will be available at these electronic locations by mid-January.

To request a hard copy of the application, send your request to Distributed Mentor Project, Computing Research Association, 1875 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 718, Washington, DC 20009. Fax: 202-667-1066.

All materials are due February 1, 1996. Electronic submissions are encouraged; send e-mail to cra-mentor@cs.wisc.edu. Non-electronic information should be sent to Anne Condon, Computer Sciences Department, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 73706. Tel. 608-262-3158; fax: 608-262-9777.

Student criteria

Applicants should be female undergraduates (US citizens or permanent residents) who are attending a US college or university and who are seriously considering graduate studies in CS&E. First consideration will be given to sophomores and juniors (completing two or three years by summer 1996). However, first-year students with the skills needed for research and seniors considering graduate school later than September 1996 also may apply.

Primary criteria for selection are:

1) The student's experience and skills must match the needs of some professor's research project.

2) The student's record and recommendations should give some indication of the student's potential for success in graduate school.

3) The student's circumstances are such that she stands to gain the most from the experience--for example, students at institutions unable to offer research opportunities with female professors.

Professor criteria

Potential mentors should be female CS&E professors at US universities with active research programs into which the students may be integrated. The primary criteria for selection are:

1) The professor should have a research project suitable for undergraduates that matches the skills of some student applicants.

2) The professor's university environment should be conducive to the goals of the mentoring project. For example, an active graduate summer research population provides the protege with a window on future graduate life.

3) The professor should have demonstrated some skill in the delicate task of mentoring undergraduates.

Professors who already have funds to support undergraduates (e.g., through an REU supplement to an NSF grant) may still apply to be matched with a student. In such cases, CRA funding would be applied toward those students' travel expenses.

Mentors may request more than one student, especially if a single student would be isolated. However, we expect to limit awards to two students per mentor. Two or more mentors may submit a single application to jointly supervise one or more students.

Along with basic information (such as name and address), a curriculum vitae and a one-page research proposal, professors will be asked to provide information on the following:

• Special requirements: The basic skills students will be required to have, either in courses taken or other proficiencies. Highly specific and advanced skills requirements reduce the likelihood of a match. Let us know if you have particular students with whom you would like to work.
• Mentoring skills: Include information on your mentoring skills and experience. Indicate specific topics on which you can provide good advice. Are you willing to participate in an electronic discussion group involving other students and mentors?
• Working environment and lodging information: If possible, comment on the expected working environment for the student. Useful information includes opportunities for technical and social interaction with graduate students, and institutional commitment (office and computer facilities, access to institutional recreational facilities). To estimate costs, we need to know lodging costs per student. We encourage mentors to help students obtain low-cost lodging.