NASA-Harriett G. Jenkins Pre-doctoral Fellowship Program

Melissa C. Green, Ph.D.Melissa C. Green, Ph.D.Michigan State UniversityMichigan State University

October 14, 2004October 14, 2004

A True NASA Champion

Former Assistant Administrator Former Assistant Administrator in Office of Equal Opportunity in Office of Equal Opportunity Programs at NASA.Programs at NASA.

Committed to increasing the Committed to increasing the talent pool of underrepresented talent pool of underrepresented groups in the NASA workforce.groups in the NASA workforce.

Program implemented in 2000; Program implemented in 2000; First Cohort started in Fall 2001First Cohort started in Fall 2001

Dr. Harriett G. Jenkins

NASA-Harriett G. Jenkins Pre-doctoral Fellowship Program (JPFP)

JPFP Mission To increase the number of underutilized To increase the number of underutilized

persons (women, ethnic minorities and persons (women, ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities) with Master’s and persons with disabilities) with Master’s and Doctoral degrees in the science, technology, Doctoral degrees in the science, technology,

engineering and mathematics (STEM) engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce.workforce.

Eligibility

U.S. citizen from an underrepresented groupU.S. citizen from an underrepresented group that includes women, minorities and persons that includes women, minorities and persons with disabilities.with disabilities.

Graduate student in a STEM discipline who Graduate student in a STEM discipline who is enrolling in or currently enrolled at any is enrolling in or currently enrolled at any U.S. accredited university.U.S. accredited university.

Minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0.Minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0.

Application Process Complete application packages consist ofComplete application packages consist of

o an application forman application formo transcripts (undergrad and grad institutions)transcripts (undergrad and grad institutions)o 3 recommendation forms & positive letters of support3 recommendation forms & positive letters of supporto a resumea resumeo a NASA-relevant research proposala NASA-relevant research proposal

Applications available Applications available September 1September 1.. Applications due by Applications due by February 1February 1..

Conduct peer review panel by March 15Conduct peer review panel by March 15

Notify fellows of acceptance by April 15Notify fellows of acceptance by April 15 the the 20 most meritorious20 most meritorious fellowship candidates and alternates are fellowship candidates and alternates are

recommended to NASArecommended to NASA

Fellow FundingFellow Funding for stipends & tuitions for up for stipends & tuitions for up to 3 years.to 3 years. Stipend: $22,000/yr (Ph.D.) & $16,000/yr (M.S.)Stipend: $22,000/yr (Ph.D.) & $16,000/yr (M.S.) Tuition Offset: $8,500/yrTuition Offset: $8,500/yr

Competitive Mini Research Award ProgramCompetitive Mini Research Award Program provides fellows with the opportunity to provides fellows with the opportunity to participate in a 6 week “hands-on” NASA participate in a 6 week “hands-on” NASA research experience.research experience. Stipend: $6,000/6 wksStipend: $6,000/6 wks Housing: $700/6 wksHousing: $700/6 wks Travel: $700/6 wksTravel: $700/6 wks

Fellowship awards can total up to $37,900/yr

JPFP Highlights

Fellow Orientation and Technical Fellow Orientation and Technical Exchange SymposiumExchange Symposium -- introduces introduces fellows to the NASA enterprises and fellows to the NASA enterprises and provides professional development training.provides professional development training.

Mentor-Protégé InitiativeMentor-Protégé Initiative - - aligns aligns protégés (fellows) with NASA researchers protégés (fellows) with NASA researchers (mentors).(mentors).

More JPFP Highlights

Graduate InstitutionsGraduate Institutions

Harriett G. Jenkins Pre-doctoral Fellowship Program (JPFP)

1American University

1Clemson University

1Cornell University

3Florida A&M University

1Florida State University

1G. W. University

12GA Tech/Emory Univ.

1Hampton University

5Howard University

1M. I. T.

5Michigan State Univ.

1Michigan Tech. Univ.

No. of FellowsInstitution

1New Mexico State Univ.

1Morgan State University

4N. C. A&T State Univ.

7N. C. State University

1Ohio State University

1Portland State Univ.

1Purdue University

1R. P. I.

1Northwestern Univ.

No. of FellowsInstitution

1Rutgers University

1Texas A&M University

3Texas Southern

1University of Arizona

2Rice University

2Univ. of Central FL

2U. C. L. A

1U. C. - Irvine

1University of Florida

1Univ. of Illinois – U. C.

No. of FellowsInstitution

1U. N. C. – Chapel Hill

2Univ. of Texas - Austin

3Univ. of Washington

1Vanderbilt

1University of Colorado

1Univ. of Texas – El Paso

3Univ. of Maryland

1Univ. of Michigan

1Univ. of Wisc. - Madison

1U.C. - Berkeley

1Univ. of South Florida

8%

59%

23%

9% 1%

53%47%

Females MalesAsian/Pacific IslanderBlackHispanicWhiteAmerican Indian

While maintaining a high level of diversity, the JPFP contains a proportionate number of males and females.

The JPFP continues to put highly qualified candidates into the NASA

Education & Research Pipeline.

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35

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Come Join Us!! MoneyMoney for graduate school stipends (up to for graduate school stipends (up to

22,000/yr), tuition offsets ($8,500/yr), and 6 week 22,000/yr), tuition offsets ($8,500/yr), and 6 week mini research awards ($7,400) for up to 3 years.mini research awards ($7,400) for up to 3 years.

Mentoring Mentoring from NASA scientists.from NASA scientists.

Professional moldingProfessional molding via orientations, technical via orientations, technical symposia and development training.symposia and development training.

On-line applications available September 1st!

Successful Application StrategiesComplete application packages consist of:Complete application packages consist of:

o Application formApplication form – – universities attended, GPA, universities attended, GPA, honors and awards, degree you are pursuing, honors and awards, degree you are pursuing, discipline, etc.discipline, etc.

o TranscriptsTranscripts (undergrad and grad institutions) – (undergrad and grad institutions) – official documents preferredofficial documents preferred

o StrongStrong Recommendation formsRecommendation forms & positive & positive letters of supportletters of support

o ResumeResume – – employer(s), title(s), duties, etcemployer(s), title(s), duties, etc..o Certification statementCertification statement o Additional relevant informationAdditional relevant information - - optionaloptionalo NASA-relevant research proposalNASA-relevant research proposal

Before you begin

Read successful grants/applications Talk to others about the application Identify collaborators Begin with colleagues; talk to them to learn the needs/opportunities facing you Begin early Develop a complete plan before writing the proposal Familiarize yourself with NASA and its research initiatives (www.nasa.gov)

NASA Centers – www.nasa.gov

Ames Research Center -Ames Research Center -Moffett Field, CAMoffett Field, CA

Information TechnologyInformation Technology

Dryden Flight Research Dryden Flight Research CenterCenter - - Edwards, CAEdwards, CA

Atmospheric Flight OperationsAtmospheric Flight Operations

Goddard Space Flight Goddard Space Flight CenterCenter - - Greenbelt, MDGreenbelt, MD

Scientific ResearchScientific Research

Jet Propulsion LabJet Propulsion Lab - -Pasadena, CAPasadena, CA

Deep Space SystemsDeep Space Systems

Johnson Space CenterJohnson Space Center - -Houston, TXHouston, TX

Human Operations in SpaceHuman Operations in Space

Kennedy Space CenterKennedy Space Center - - Cape Cape Canaveral, FLCanaveral, FL

Launch and Payload Processing Launch and Payload Processing SystemsSystems

Langley Research CenterLangley Research Center - -Hampton, VAHampton, VA

Structures and MaterialsStructures and Materials

Glenn Research CenterGlenn Research Center - -Cleveland, OHCleveland, OH

TurbomachineryTurbomachinery

Marshall Space Flight CenterMarshall Space Flight Center - -Huntsville, ALHuntsville, AL

Space PropulsionSpace Propulsion

Stennis Space Flight CenterStennis Space Flight Center - -Hancock County, MSHancock County, MS

Rocket Propulsion TestsRocket Propulsion Tests

NASA-relevant Research Proposal

Suggested Key ComponentsSuggested Key Components

Research PlanResearch Plan Study ObjectivesStudy Objectives MethodologyMethodology Key ElementsKey Elements MilestonesMilestones Timetable Timetable

Research Plan Introduction, Background, Significance, Introduction, Background, Significance,

RationaleRationale Idea – highlight problem to be addressedIdea – highlight problem to be addressed Supporting Ideas and ConceptsSupporting Ideas and Concepts Introduce hypothesis with testable outcomesIntroduce hypothesis with testable outcomes Lay the foundation for your proposed workLay the foundation for your proposed work Briefly highlight previous work (yours and Briefly highlight previous work (yours and

others)others) Funnel from general to specificFunnel from general to specific

Study Objectives

Goals of the research Long-range goal of the project included List clear objectives that can be measured Establish performance measuresWant specific and modest objectives

Overview of the research methodsOverview of the research methods The principal steps, not a detailed work planThe principal steps, not a detailed work plan Use details only for unfamiliar technologyUse details only for unfamiliar technology All figures, graphs and tables should be clearly legible and All figures, graphs and tables should be clearly legible and

simple to read.simple to read. Questions reviewers will ask:Questions reviewers will ask:

- are these the best methods for this question?- are these the best methods for this question?- are methods proven and cited?- are methods proven and cited?- feasible?- feasible?

Remember, you haven’t done the research yet!!Remember, you haven’t done the research yet!!

Methodology

Key Elements

The “heart and soul” of the application.The “heart and soul” of the application. What you propose to doWhat you propose to do How you plan to do itHow you plan to do it Help the reviewer understand and agree Help the reviewer understand and agree

with your goals, objectives and solutionwith your goals, objectives and solution

Milestones

What the result will mean in terms of the overall projectWhat the result will mean in terms of the overall project What pitfalls you might encounterWhat pitfalls you might encounter Alternative approaches to cope with anticipated Alternative approaches to cope with anticipated

problemsproblems Discuss limitations in a positive mannerDiscuss limitations in a positive manner

Timeline

How will you use the allotted three year How will you use the allotted three year period to accomplish your goalperiod to accomplish your goal

Typically presented in the form of a graph Typically presented in the form of a graph or tableor table

This is a reality check for you and the This is a reality check for you and the reviewersreviewers

Miscellaneous “Do’s” Make the proposal come to lifeMake the proposal come to life Build enthusiasm and urgencyBuild enthusiasm and urgency Edit what you’ve writtenEdit what you’ve written Use clear and descriptive languageUse clear and descriptive language Convey message to a non-specialistConvey message to a non-specialist Have colleagues review the proposal with a Have colleagues review the proposal with a

critical eyecritical eye Start well in advance of the deadlineStart well in advance of the deadline Contact the program administrators Contact the program administrators

Pitfalls Failure to establish significanceFailure to establish significance Too many details about the wrong aspects of Too many details about the wrong aspects of

the workthe work Failure to provide testable hypotheses Failure to provide testable hypotheses Good idea, but weak design/approachGood idea, but weak design/approach Inclusion of irrelevant personal info or Inclusion of irrelevant personal info or

problemsproblems Poor presentation- messy, crowded, small fontPoor presentation- messy, crowded, small font Typos and grammatical errorsTypos and grammatical errors

Who Will Review Your Proposal?

Scientists from academia, NASA and Scientists from academia, NASA and industryindustry

Two-tiered processTwo-tiered process All reviewers are:All reviewers are:

o accomplishedaccomplishedo knowledgeableknowledgeableo fairfairo conscientiousconscientiouso dedicateddedicated

A Reviewer’s Perspective

Workload is extremely heavyWorkload is extremely heavy Time available to read and discuss each Time available to read and discuss each

application is very limitedapplication is very limited Often dealing with proposals outside your Often dealing with proposals outside your

area of expertisearea of expertise There are not enough funds to support all There are not enough funds to support all

worthy proposals receivedworthy proposals received

Successful proposals have:

o good and well developed ideaso good scienceo good written presentation

The Bottom Line

Dealing with a Negative Outcome

Don’t despair!!Don’t despair!! Read the comments accompanying the Read the comments accompanying the

decisiondecision Put it aside for a few weeksPut it aside for a few weeks Read the comments againRead the comments again Revise your proposal to address the concernsRevise your proposal to address the concerns Resubmit the revised proposal in the next Resubmit the revised proposal in the next

competitioncompetition

NASA-JPFPResearchProposal

I highlyrecommend

this one!!

NASA- JPFP Fellow

You

Review Panel

NASA-Harriett G. Jenkins Pre-doctoral Fellowship Program (JPFP)

Melissa C. Green, Ph.D.Melissa C. Green, Ph.D.JPFP DirectorJPFP Director

2750 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 6002750 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 600Fairfax, VA 22031Fairfax, VA 22031

(703) 205-7636(703) 205-7636

Melissa.Green@uncfsp.orgMelissa.Green@uncfsp.orgwww.education.nasa.gov OR www.uncfsp.orgwww.education.nasa.gov OR www.uncfsp.org

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