The Office of Polar Programs (OPP) at the National Science Foundation
(NSF) offers Postdoctoral Fellowships in Polar Regions Research to
highly qualified individuals in U.S. host organizations to support
training and research on any aspect of scientific study of the Antarctic
and/or the Arctic.
Please see the full text of the announcement for more information
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04566/nsf04566.htm.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS IN POLAR REGIONS RESEARCH
National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellowships provide
opportunities for recent doctoral scientists to obtain additional
training and career development guidance, to gain research experience
under the sponsorship of established scientists that furthers the
transition to independence, to undertake synergistic activities that
foster development of skills and progress towards career goals, and to
broaden scientific horizons beyond the experiences gained during
undergraduate and graduate training. Postdoctoral fellowships help new
scientists direct their research in and across traditional disciplinary
lines. They provide research opportunities at unique sites and
facilities.
The Office of Polar Programs (OPP) offers Postdoctoral Fellowships in
Polar Regions Research to highly qualified individuals in U.S. host
organizations to support training and research on any aspect of
scientific study of the Antarctic and/or the Arctic. The fellowship
program develops and trains new investigators in polar regions research
with concomitant goals to:
* Support innovative research in emerging areas;
* Encourage interdisciplinary research;
* Foster activities that create broader impacts for science and
society; and
* Increase the participation of underrepresented groups in polar
regions research.
Fellowships promote human resource development in conjunction with
advancing scientific knowledge and understanding and attracting new
technologies and expertise to polar regions research. In collaboration
with sponsoring scientists, fellowship candidates are encouraged to
propose research and training plans that outline opportunities relevant
to their career goals, such as developing novel conceptual approaches,
enhancing technical skills, gaining field or teaching experience,
participating in education and outreach activities, or forming industry
partnerships. It is not expected that each fellowship candidate will
propose a research and training plan that meets all of the fellowship
program goals; rather, candidates should identify activities that
contribute their knowledge and skills to the scientific study of polar
regions, that foster their research interests and talents, that promote
the development of skills and competencies appropriate to their career
goals, and that address the merit review criteria identified in this
solicitation.
Each candidate must identify the support and commitment of a sponsoring
scientist and a U.S. host organization before preparing a fellowship
proposal. Co-sponsors and multiple research/training sites are permitted
and may be particularly appropriate to pursue collaborative
opportunities such as interdisciplinary research, industry partnerships,
teaching experiences, or outreach activities. Regardless of the number
of sponsoring scientists and research/training sites proposed, a lead
sponsor should be identified and a primary host organization must be
declared to receive the institutional allowance. The candidate is
responsible for making all prior arrangements with the sponsoring
scientist(s) and host organization(s).
Fellows' research and training may be conducted at any appropriate U.S.
host organization, including colleges and universities, government and
national laboratories and facilities, and publicly and privately
sponsored organizations such as nonprofit institutes, museums and
for-profit organizations.
TRAVEL GRANTS
Beginning in FY 2005, travel grants will be competitively available to
eligible candidates to meet prospective sponsoring scientists in their
host organizations before submitting a postdoctoral fellowship proposal.
Travel grants, which support travel and per diem expenses, facilitate
visits to one or two organizations to meet prospective mentors and
colleagues, to present seminars, to discuss mutual research and/or
education interests, to evaluate facilities and professional development
opportunities, and to initiate collaborative relationships.
Proposals for travel grants, which should follow preliminary discussions
between candidates and their prospective sponsoring scientists, require
justifications for the selection of the proposed host organization(s)
and sponsoring scientist(s), the purpose of each trip, and the
anticipated travel budget. At the time of the proposal, prospective
sponsoring scientists must indicate both agreement with the proposed
travel plans and support for the candidate's potential affiliation with
the host organization as a Postdoctoral Fellow.
WORKSHOPS
Workshops for selected fellows and their sponsoring scientists OPP
anticipates hosting workshops, beginning in FY 2005, for fellows and
their sponsoring scientists to promote the development of skills, to
facilitate connections among fellows as developing scientists and as
members of the polar research and education communities, to provide
opportunities to meet NSF program officers and support staff, and to
enable participants to contribute to the development of the postdoctoral
fellowship program. The participation of both fellows and their
sponsoring scientists in these workshops is an important part of the
fellowship program.
For more information, please see the full text of the announcement
(http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04566/nsf04566.htm) or contact Bernhard
Lettau, Ocean & Climate System Program Manager, Office of Polar
Programs, telephone: (703) 292-8033, email: blettau [at] nsf.gov.