Diversity in Science

Program Application

The current award cycle for this program has closed.  The information below pertains to the previous award cycle.  New guidelines and application instructions are being developed.  Check back on this website for up-to-date information.

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General Information

Candidates must be nominated by a qualified mentor at the degree-granting institution where the applicant will conduct the postdoctoral/fellowship training.  Applications must be approved by an official responsible for sponsored programs (generally from the grants office, office of research, or office of sponsored programs) at the degree-granting institution.  Candidates should contact one of these offices for information about the nominating process at the institution.

The URM Postdoctoral Enrichment Program award provides a total of $50,000 over three years as outlined below to support the development of a URM postdoctoral fellow in a degree-granting institution (or its affiliated graduate and medical schools, hospitals and research institutions) in the United States or Canada. Individual URM postdoctoral fellows conducting biomedical or medical research are eligible to apply.

  • Year one: $20,000 will be granted to support enrichment activities of the postdoctoral fellow ($10,000 for research supplies or equipment uniquely required to enhance the postdoctoral fellow’s research and $10,000 for education and training, including for mentors in the research lab where the postdoctoral fellow is assigned.)
  • Year two: $20,000 (same allocation as year one)
  • Year three:  $10,000 will be granted for enrichment activities for the postdoctoral fellow to advance his/her research.
A qualified mentor is required for the URM Postdoctoral Program. It has been documented that minorities are less likely to enter and remain in science and engineering when they lack mentors and role models. In most science and engineering disciplines, the percentage of URMs among faculty recently hired is not comparable to that of recent minority Ph.Ds. and is far below that of recent bachelor degree recipients. This results in fewer minority faculty to act as role models for minority students. (A National Analysis of Minorities in Science and Engineering Faculties at Research Universities, Nelson and Brammer, January 2010). This program is designed to encourage innovative scientists with broad ranging backgrounds in the biomedical and medical sciences and with experiences in working with postdoctoral fellows to consider serving as mentors.

BWF will host workshops and courses to set expectations for mentors and postdoctoral fellows. Discussions will include considerations of the cultural barriers that exist for URM postdoctoral fellows within the scientific community and the value effective mentors can have on career development.

BWF's Grant Application System Instructions

Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) requires all applications for this program to be submitted electronically through BWF's web-based grant application system.  The applications must be submitted by January 15, 2013 by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.  No exceptions.

Applicants are encouraged to start early and review the program background, eligibility, and selection prior to beginning the application.  Certain proposal information will be requested on-line when you access the BWF grant application system, but the majority of the application consists of various materials prepared by the applicant and uploaded to the system. (See Proposal Sections).

Access to the BWF grant application system through the links provided above.  Create a log-in and password.  You will be required to successfully complete an eligibility quiz to continue the application process.  The application may be accessed and changed multiple times as needed prior to the application deadline.  However, once the deadline has passed, the application cannot be changed. 

Both an MS Word version and a PDF version of the forms are provided.  You can use either version.  However, all documents must be converted to Adobe Portable Document (PDF) files, and combined into one (1) PDF file prior to being uploaded to BWFs grant application system.

Use the following naming convention for the file:  Last Name, First Name - Project Title.  Be sure to save a copy of the completed forms for your records.

Details for requesting and uploading blind recommendation letters are provided in the on-line application.

When all required fields have been entered and required attachments uploaded, click the "review and submit" button from within the application.  If all required fields have been entered a submit button will be made available to you.

Once the application is submitted, you should receive an confirmation email. 

Assistance with Applications

Applicants are encouraged to start early and review the program background, eligibility, and selection prior to beginning the application.  For online submission instructions, see How to use BWF's Online Application Submission System. For assistance with PDF issues, see TroubleshootingPDFs.

For additional assistance, contact:

Melanie Scott, Senior Program Associate
Phone: 919-991-5107

Application Deadline:

Jan 15, 2013 by 4:00pm ET

Status:

Deadline has passed

URM Program Application

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