Career Awards at the Scientific Interface
sections of the Preproposal
Preproposal Application Deadline:
September 1, 2011 by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Preproposals must be submitted using BWF's grant application system. All sections of the preproposal application must be completed. Applications that are not in compliance with preproposal instructions will be rejected out of fairness to all applicants. All attachments must be uploaded as Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files.
The following sections are required:
- Online data entry of applicant and general preproposal information
- Upload of the completed and signed preproposal form.
Applicant and General Preproposal Information (online data entry)
The preproposal application contains online data entry screens requesting such information as applicant contact information, education and training background, the name of the institution where the proposed work will be performed, and information about the applicant’s postdoctoral mentors, including his/her appointment at a degree-granting institution. General information about the proposed work is also requested (such as project title, methods to be used, and area of biology addressed). This information will need to be provided when you access BWF's grant application system and must be entered prior to submission of the preproposal application.
Preproposal Form (requires upload of attachment)
The preproposal application form is the only attachment that must be completed and uploaded to the preproposal application prior to submission. It requires re-entry of some of the same data that was entered into the online system, as well as entry of additional data pertinent to the preproposal.
Both an MS Word version and a PDF version of the preproposal form are provided. You can use either version to complete the form. However, all documents must be converted to Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files prior to being attached to the application and Uploaded to BWF's Online Application Submission System.
If you choose to use the MS Word version of the form, you must:
- Choose a discipline from the List of Ph.D. Disciplines and enter it into the "Ph.D. Disciplines" field on the preproposal form. If your Ph.D. discipline is not included on the list, type in your Ph.D. discipline.
- Choose an area from the List of Biological Areas and enter it into the "Biological Areas" field on the preproposal form. If your area is not included on the list, type in your biological area.
- Correct any changes to the form resulting from input of data prior to converting to PDF format. Data should be completed in the space provided. The form must respect the original margins on all sides.
If you choose to use the PDF version of the form, you must use Adobe Acrobat to complete and save the form to your system prior to uploading it to your application. (Using Adobe Reader will not work properly, neither will using Preview on a Mac.)
Use the following naming convention for the file: Last Name, First Name – Preproposal Form (e.g., Smith, Sarah – Preproposal Form). Be sure to save a copy of the completed form for your records.
Two signatures are required on the preproposal application form – (1) your signature, as the applicant, and (2) your primary postdoctoral mentor’s signature. E-signatures are accepted on the form; typed names are not accepted.
The completed, signed preproposal form should be uploaded to your preproposal application in the "attachments" section of the application (the last screen of the application).
Do not include a cover letter or supplemental materials. If extra materials are included, your preproposal application will be rejected out of fairness to all applicants.