Type: Program Guideline
NSF Org: MPS
Date: June 30, 1994
Publication #: NSF 94-82

National Science Foundation
Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Division of Chemistry

This document has been archived.

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships In Chemistry


Program Announcement

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY November 1, 1994

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Chemistry

The Division of Chemistry will support a special program of Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Chemistry. The deadline for submission of application materials is November 1, 1994. Awards will be announced in March, 1995.

The objective of the Fellowship Program is to provide opportunities for young chemists to broaden their knowledge and experience and to prepare them for positions of research leadership on the frontiers of contemporary chemistry. The Fellowships are designed so that applicants can choose a research and training environment most beneficial for their scientific development and to their long-term career goals in chemistry. Further, the Fellowships encourage academic careers by providing a portable, leveraged start-up research grant option following the tenure of the Fellowship.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a research and training plan in an area of chemistry other than that of their doctoral experience. Normally, the change of activity, which is considered a desirable aspect of the Fellowship, requires a change of institution (or department).

Fellowships will be awarded for research and training only within the scope of NSF's Chemistry Division, which includes analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, surface, and theoretical/computational chemistry, as well as cross- disciplinary areas such as materials chemistry, biologically- related chemistry and environmental chemistry. Applicants are advised that some important related disciplines such as Biochemistry, Biophysics, Nuclear Physics and Engineering are not within the NSF Chemistry purview. The Chemistry Division reserves the right to return applications which are outside its areas of responsibility without further review. Potential applicants who may be uncertain about the suitability of their proposed research for this program are strongly advised to consult with the Program Manager at (703) 3061847 before submitting an application.

Eligibility

Individuals are eligible to apply for a National Science Foundation Chemistry Postdoctoral Research Fellowship if:

(1) they are citizens, nationals or lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens of the United States at the time of application. Citizens of another country or applicants for United States citizenship, are not eligible;

(2) they will fulfill the requirements for the doctoral degree in chemistry or a closely related discipline between June 1, 1994, and September 30, 1995;

(3) they have not previously applied for this Fellowship;

(4) they have made prior arrangements for research and training with a scientific advisor at the institution where the Fellowship is to be held; and,

(5) they have an interest in chemical research that falls within the program areas of the NSF's Chemistry Division.

The National Science Foundation is committed to increasing the participation of under-represented groups in science and engineering careers. Women, minorities and persons with disabilities have been under-represented among applicants for Chemistry Postdoctoral Fellowships, and are particularly encouraged to apply.

Location of Work

National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Chemistry will be awarded for scientific research at any appropriate institution. Appropriate institutions in this program include both U.S. and foreign colleges and universities as well as U.S. Government and national laboratories, privately- sponsored domestic nonprofit institutes, and domestic private industrial research laboratories.

All arrangements for affiliation with a scientific advisor and fellowship institution are the responsibility of the applicant. A statement from the scientific advisor with whom the applicant plans to work, indicating a commitment for laboratory facilities and consultation during the requested tenure period, is required. A Fellow, prior to beginning tenure, must submit evidence of acceptance by the host institution.

Applicants planning to take fellowships abroad should be aware of the following complementary NSF Fellowship Programs.

*For fellowships in NATO Countries, contact:

NATO Postdoctoral Fellowships in Science
Division of Graduate Education and Research Development
National Science Foundation-Room 907
Arlington, VA 22230
Telephone: 703) 306-1696
Deadline date: November 4

*For fellowships in Japan, contact:

U.S.-Japan Program
Division of International Programs
National Science Foundation
Arlington, VA 22230
Telephone: (703) 306-1701
Deadline date: November 1

In addition to the regular Fellowship stipend, Fellows are 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. Each award will take into account actual housing needs, locale and other factors affecting the cost of living during the Fellowship period.

*For fellowships in other countries, contact:

International Postdoctoral Fellows Program
Division of International Programs
National Science Foundation
Arlington, VA 22230
Telephone: (703) 306-1706
E-mail: sparris@nsf.govv
Contact: Susan Parris
Deadline date: September 15

Tenure, Stipends, and Allowances

Normally one to two years will be spent as a postdoctoral fellow developing new research skills and interests. Funds for an additional year may be provided as a leveraged starter grant when a recipient elects to accept a tenure-track position at a U.S. college or university. The Fellowship totals $40,000 per year and provides a stipend, an expense allowance to aid in defraying costs associated with the research, and an institutional allowance in lieu of indirect costs.

The stipend is paid directly to the Fellow at the annual rate of $30,000. The Fellowship award will also include an allowance of $10,000 paid to the host institution to be apportioned as follows: $6,000 is to be spent in defraying costs associated with the research. This part of the allowance is expendable at the Fellow's direction and will normally be used for travel, meeting attendance, health insurance, and other research-related costs. Up to $4,000 is an administrative allowance in lieu of indirect costs, for partial reimbursement of institutional expenses such as space, equipment use, secretarial assistance, and administrative costs. There is no allowance for dependents. The award will start upon request by the Fellow but no later than twelve months after acceptance of the award offer.

Fellows who elect to pursue an academic career after the first or second year of their Fellowship can apply for a one-year, $40,000 academic starter grant to facilitate the establishment of a new research program. To initiate the starter grant award, the academic institution at which the fellow is to be employed must agree to provide at least a 2:1 match of the NSF award in order to permit the NSF Fellow to establish his or her new research activity. The matching contribution from the academic institution can be in direct funding or in-kind contributions of instrumentation. No more than 10% of the $40,000 starter grant from NSF may be apportioned to administrative expenses in lieu of indirect costs. No portion of NSF support or matching funds may be used for academic year salary for the Fellow.

Evaluation and Selection of Fellows

Fellowships are awards made to individual applicants rather than to the Postdoctoral Institutions. The evaluation of applicants will be based on their abilities, accomplishments, and potential as evidenced by the quality and significance of past research, long range career goals and the likely impact of the proposed postdoctoral training and research plan on the future scientific development of the applicant.

Initially, applications will be reviewed according to chemistry subdiscipline by panels expert in each of those subdisciplines. The top 20-25% of the applicants in each of the subdisciplinary groups will be combined and cross-reviewed by the discipline-wide panel.

The quality and significance of past research will account for about 25% of the evaluation, the long-range career plan and the impact of the proposed postdoctoral experience will account for about 25% of the evaluation, and the research proposal will account for about 50% of the evaluation.

The selection of Fellows will be made by the National Science Foundation on the basis of the recommendations of the panel and with due consideration of the effect of the awards on the infrastructure of chemistry in the United States. All awards will be made subject to the availability of funds. Successful applicants will be notified by letter in March, 1995.

Application Procedures and Materials

To be eligible for consideration, an application must be complete. The type size must be clear and readily legible. No smaller than 10 point font size may be used. If constant spacing is used, there should be no more than 12 characters per 2.5-cm, whereas proportional spacing should provide no more than an average of 15 characters per 2.5 cm. High quality reproductions of all forms are acceptable. Applicants must:

(1) complete and submit one original and nine copies of a package consisting of the attached application form (Appendix I) together with:

(2) have sent directly to the address below, or include with the application form, a statement (Appendix VIII) from the proposed postdoctoral advisor indicating agreement to work with the applicant if the award is made; and,

(3) have sent directly to the address below three recommendations, normally including one from the doctoral advisor. Be sure to provide a copy of your research proposal to each of your references. Recommendations must be prepared on the forms provided (Appendix IX).

All application materials must be received by November 1, 1994. If complete applications are not received by this date, any documents received will be returned. It is the applicant`s responsibility to ensure that the recommendations are received by this date.

The Chemistry Division must be notified in writing by January 15, 1995 of any changes in the application, including any proposed change of postdoctoral sponsor. Changes in the postdoctoral training plan cannot be permitted following the review and selection process.

Completed Applications And Supporting Materials Are To Be Sent To:

NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships In Chemistry

Chemistry Division
Room 1055
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22230
Telephone: (703) 306-1847

Conditions of Appointment

All awards are made subject to the general provisions in the Chemistry Fellows brochure which will be mailed to successful applicants. This Announcement covers, in general terms, the information detailed in the brochure.

Fellows are required to devote full time to scientific research during the tenure of the Fellowship and to implement the training program with the designated advisor under which the Fellowship was awarded. Any major change in the plan of scientific research or change of scientific advisor requires prior Foundation approval. When an award is made, the dollar amount and length of tenure are fixed.

Institutions may supplement Fellowship stipends without prior permission from the Foundation provided that this is in accord 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 an institution has obtained from external (including Federal) sources may be considered as institutional funds. When appropriate, NSF project grants may be used for stipend supplementation in an amount not to exceed $1,000 per year for any Federally-assisted Fellow.

Intellectual Property Rights

The National Science Foundation encourages the timely publication and dissemination of research results and claims no rights to any inventions or writings that might result from its Fellowship awards. However, Fellows should be aware that the NSF, another Federal agency, or some private party might acquire such rights through other support for the particular research. It is the sole responsibility of applicants electing postdoctoral fellowships in private, for-profit institutions to negotiate mutually acceptable intellectual property rights, including patent and publication rights, with the private institution.

Fellows should note their obligation to include an "Acknowledgment and Disclaimer" in any publication resulting from their NSF Fellowship award.

Research and writing performed with the support of starter grants will be subject to the standard terms and conditions applicable to NSF research grants at the time such award is made.

APPENDIX I

National Science Foundation
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships In Chemistry
Fellowship Application

All information related to this application must be received by the Fellowship Program no later than the deadline date of November 1, 1994.

Information on All Application Materials Must be Typed or Printed

1. Name in full:_____________________________________________
last first middle

Social Security No._____________________Citizenship________

2. CURRENT address_________________________________________

3. Permanent U.S. address(ifdifferent)_______________________

4. a. Current institution_______________________________________

b. Present position_____________________________________

5. Date your doctoral degree was earned, or expected date of completion: ______________

6. a. Name of your doctoral advisor:_________________________

b. Name of institution and department in which the work for the doctorate was or
will be completed: __________________________________________________

7. Give below an informative title or brief abstract of your doctoral research:
________________________________________________

8. Give the name (including department) and location of your proposed Fellowship institution. You must notify NSF by January 15, 1995 of any change in your choice of institution:
____________________________________________________________

9. Give the name and title of your proposed scientific advisor:
____________________________________________________________

10. Give a brief title of your original research proposal:
________________________________________________________

11. List all positions and awards you have held in the last three years.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

12. Name, address and phone number of three persons, including your doctoral advisor, each of whom knows your academic ability, whom you are requesting to submit references.
Please list your doctoral advisor's name first.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

13. Expected starting date of Fellowship:______________________________________

14. Give the telephone number(s) at which you can be reached during daytime hours from now
until April 1, 1995:___________________________________________________

15. List other Postdoctoral Fellowships for which you have applied: ____________________________________________________________

NOTE: The applicant must notify NSF immediately upon the acceptance of any other competitive fellowship. NSF Postdoctoral Fellowships in Chemistry will not be awarded to applicants who have previously accepted other fellowships.

ATTACH TO THIS APPLICATION:

I have read this APPLICATION in detail and have noted the conditions herein.

Signature of applicant__________________________________________

Date_____________________________________________________________

THIS APPLICATION IS NOT COMPLETE WITHOUT THE ABOVE SIGNATURE


APPENDIX II

National Science Foundation
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships In Chemistry
Personal Statement

Describe in the space below your long term career goals and the role the postdoctoral fellowship will play in achieving them.

< P> NSF Form 1281D(6/94)


APPENDIX III

National Science Foundation
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships In Chemistry
Poctdoctoral Statement

Describe in the space provided below the postdoctoral research to be done, how it can contribute to the eventual execution of the research plan, and the rationale for the selection of the chosen postdoctoral sponsor and host institution:

NSF Form 1281E(6/94)


APPENDIX IV

National Science Foundation
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships In Chemistry
Abstract of Doctoral Research

Describe in 250 words or less your doctoral research:

NSF Form 1281F(6/94)


APPENDIX V

National Science Foundation
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships In Chemistry
Applicant Bibliography

List below (Title, Author(s), Journal Reference) all publications. List authors in the order that they appear in the publication. Include publications submitted and accepted, but do not include articles in preparation:

NSF Form 1281G(6/94)


APPENDIX VI

National Science Foundation
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships In Chemistry
Abstract of Original Research Proposal

Provide below, in 250 words or less, an abstract of your original research proposal:

Title____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

NSF Form 1281H(6/94)


APPENDIX VII

National Science Foundation
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships In Chemistry
Research Proposal

Provide an original research proposal, not to exceed three singlespaced typewritten pages including this one, which could be carried out AFTER the postdoctoral experience.

NSF Form 1281I(6/94)


APPENDIX VIII

National Science Foundation
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships In Chemistry
Information From Sponsoring Scientific Advisor

____________________________has applied for an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Chemistry and proposes to carry out research in your laboratory. Please provide a brief description of the research projects in your laboratory and how these activities are supported. Evaluation of the applicants will include the creativity and significance of the proposed research as well as its value in the career development of the applicant. Please comment on these elements and indicate how the proposed research would fit into your program. Please comment specifically what your contribution was, if any, to the applicant's research proposal. Your response should be limited to two typewritten pages.

Name: ________________________________________________________

Title: _________________________________________________________

Institution: ____________________________________________________ Please return this form to NSF, or to the applicant for its submission to NSF, no later than November 1, 1994

NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships In Chemistry
Chemistry Division
Room 1055
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22230

Form 1281B(6/94)


APPENDIX IX

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Recommendation for Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Chemistry

(Page 1)

Name of Applicant___________________________________________________

Name, Position and Institutional Affiliation of Referee

Name:___________________________________________________________

Institution/Department:__________________________________________

PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT

1. How long have you known the applicant?

2. In what capacity?

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?

4. How do you evaluate the originality and significance of the applicant's research proposal?

NSF Form 1283C(6/94)


APPENDIX IX

Recommendation for Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Chemistry

(Page 2)

Name of Applicant____________________________________________________

5. How will the applicant's postdoctoral research experience result in training in a subfield other than that of his or her doctoral experience?

6. On the following scale of 1 to 5, please rank the applicant:

5--The most outstanding person at this career stage I have known in the past 5 years.

4--Among the top 10 young scientists I have known in the past 5 years.

3--Outstanding

2--Above average

1--Average or below

7. Compare the applicant with other scientists you have known at the applicant's level of development and experience.

8. Other comments:

Signature:___________________________________________Date:_______

Please return this form by November 1, 1994 to:

NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Chemistry
Chemistry Division
Room 1055
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22230


Privacy Act And Public Burden Statements

The information requested on these application materials is solicited pursuant to the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended, and is of three types. Information related to citizenship, field of study, and prior educational experience is used to determine the eligibility of an applicant in this competition. Personal data, such as social security number, are used in correlating application materials and transcripts, particularly for applicants with similar names. The remaining information, such as honors received, statements of study and career plans, and educational background, assists reviewing panelists in evaluating the qualifications of applicants for Fellowships. The information supplied will be used and disclosed only in connection with the selection of Fellows and the administration of Fellowships, and will not be disclosed for any other purpose except as part of statistical reports in a form which would not allow identification of individual applicants, or in a formal announcement of awards made.

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 45 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching the published literature and other data sources, and gathering, maintaining and reviewing the data needed to complete the Postdoctoral Fellowships in Chemistry Application, personal statement, research proposal and letters of recommendation.

Send comments regarding these burden estimates or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:

Herman G. Fleming, Reports Clearance Officer
Division of Contracts, Policy, and Oversight
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22230

and to:

Office of Management and Budget
Paperwork Reduction Project (3145-0058)
Washington, D.C. 20503

* Appendix X (NSF Form 1225A) is not included.


NOTE

The Foundation provides awards for research in the sciences and engineering. The awardee is wholly responsible for the conduct of such research and preparation of the results for publication. The Foundation does not assume responsibility for such findings or their interpretation.

In accordance with Federal statutes and regulations and NSF policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from the National Science Foundation.

The Foundation welcomes proposals on behalf of all qualified scientists and engineers, and strongly encourages women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to compete fully in any of the research and research-related programs described in this document.

Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities (investigators and other staff, including student research assistants) to work on an NSF project. See program announcement (NSF 91- 54), or contact the program coordinator at (703) 306-1636 for more information.

NSF has TDD (Telephonic Device for the Deaf) capability which enables individuals with hearing impairments to communicate with the Division of Human Resource Management for information relating to NSF programs, employment, or general information. This number is (703) 306-0090.

Copies of most program announcements are available electronically using NSF's on-line Science and Technology Information System (STIS). The full text can be searched online, and copied from the system. Instructions for use of the system are in NSF 94-4 "STIS Flyer," reprinted in this Announcement.


"Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 47.049,

Mathematical and Physical Sciences."


NSF 94-82