FUNDING-NSF - Improving Graduate Student Preparedness for Entering the Workforce, Opportunities for Supplemental Support;

 

As first mentioned in this Dear Colleague Letter, Improving Graduate Student Preparedness for Entering the Workforce, Opportunities for Supplemental Support NSF-16-067, the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) continues to invite its grantees to apply for supplemental funding to enhance the training experience of their doctoral students. Funding is available to support two types of activities. First, funding may be requested to support student participation in experiences that extend beyond their discipline and/or broaden their career options. For example, funds may be used to support the student for a brief internship period in the private, non-profit or academic arena, or to obtain specialized skills in a cross-disciplinary setting. Second, funds may be requested to compensate trainees to attend professional development courses (not formal degree programs) that enhance skills needed to be competitive in the job market. Courses with special emphasis on training in quantitative biology and/or acquiring skills that improve broader impacts (e.g., communicating science to the public) will be considered a priority.

This supplemental funding has also been highlighted on the MCB Blog.

Eligibility: This opportunity is open only to PhD students of MCB grantees. The proposed activity should not negatively impact the student's dissertation research or inadvertently increase the time to degree.

Preparation Instructions and Allowable Costs: Supplement requests are limited to 2 pages and should include the student's CV following the template specified in this DCL as well as a statement of purpose written by the student. The average award is expected to range from $6,000 - $12,000 for a period of one year, and will depend on the availability of funds. Eligible costs can include travel and tuition fees.

How to Apply:

1)      Include in your upcoming MCB grant application (see NSF 17-589)

2)      Contact your program director to request a supplement to your existing award