Announcements

2009 Pacific Rim Research Program Call for Proposals

UCOP is pleased to announce the 2009 Pacific Rim Research Program Call for Proposals.
The Call is available on the UCOP website at: http://www.ucop.edu/research/pacrim/
The application is also available on the website, or may be accessed directly at:
http://ironforge.hri.uci.edu/fastapp/pacrim/applicants
The Program offers four types of grants:

RESEARCH GRANTS:

1. Faculty/staff: The regular grant program provides an average of $20,000 (up to a maximum of $45,000) to eligible University of California faculty and staff.
2. Graduate students may apply for a maximum of $22,000 for a year of dissertation or similar advanced research.

WORKSHOP AND PLANNING GRANTS: The workshop and planning grant program provides up to $15,000 to UC faculty and graduate students for conferences, workshops, and other collaborative research endeavors.

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS: This grant category supports UC faculty in developing new directions in Pacific Rim research. Awards of up to $10,000 allow for short-term residency in the region, or the hosting of Pacific Rim scholars at UC campus.
These applications are reviewed first by campus committees, then by the PRRP Executive Committee. Campus deadlines vary from November to early February. For deadlines, please see the Call for Proposals and Guidelines.

MINI-GRANTS: Small grants are awarded to support promising Pacific Rim-related research. Up to $3,000 can be provided twice a year, if funds are available and the request meets the PRRP guidelines. Apply online at the PRRP website. Deadlines are October 15, 2008 and February 17, 2009.
For deadlines and application guidelines, please see the Call for Proposals and Guidelines, available at http://www.ucop.edu/research/pacrim/.
Please contact your PRRP campus liaison, Jane Schultz (jane.schultz@ucr.edu), for campus-specific application instructions.

The Campus Deadline for your completed Pac Rim application (except mini grants) is December 17. Minigrants go directly to Pac Rim through the on line application (see above)

This year's PAC RIM workshop is scheduled for October 31 from 11-12 in room 210 University Office Building

Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy

Graduate Fellowship Program, Washington, D. C. - 2009 Sessions

This Graduate Fellowship Program of the National Academies—consisting of the National Academy of

Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research  Council—is designed to engage graduate science, engineering, medical, veterinary, business, public policy, and law students in the analytical process that informs the creation of national policy-making with a science/technology element.  As a result, students develop basic skills essential to working in the world of science policy.

 We are pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2009 sessions.  The

 program will comprise two 12-week sessions:

 Winter: January 12-April 3, 2009

 Fall: September 9- November 25, 2009

Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars and  those who have completed graduate studies or postdoctoral research within the last 5 years  are eligible to apply.  Candidates should submit  an application and request that a mentor/adviser  fill out a reference form.  Both forms are  available on the Web at http://national-academies.org/policyfellows http://national-academies.org/policyfellows .

The deadline for receipt of application material is November 1 for the winter program and June 1 for the fall program.  Candidates may apply to both sessions concurrently.

Additional details about the program and a link to join the mailing list are available on the

Web site. Questions should be directed to: policyfellows@nas.edu.

Below is a sampling of comments from alumni about the program's impact:

"This is an important career building  opportunity for people interested in the scientific community outside academia.  Even if you plan to pursue a traditional academic track, seeing science from a policy perspective is very enlightening.  There is something valuable in this experience for first year grad students to recent PhD’s.  Come with an open mind and expect to learn more than you bargained for."

"This program will open your mind to a world rarely envisioned from the confines of laboratory bench work. I learned an immeasurable amount about the policy and politics behind science and after the fellowship opens your mind, it opens career doors."

“Just a few weeks in the S&T policy world in DC substantially broadened my perspective on how I  can use my engineering background to positively impact our society. I return to graduate school  recharged about the value of advanced education, and more confident about my decisions to pursue  studies that blend the boundaries of engineering and the humanities. I feel like I have much new knowledge and understanding to share with my fellow graduate students as well as my professors. No matter what field of study you are pursuing, there is no reason not to apply for a policy fellowship. By seeing the connections between your academic field and the public policy arena, you will find many new opportunities for future studies or careers. You will be enriched as a person, as a public citizen, and as a member of an academic community.”

“A really great experience for those from the ‘soft sciences’ who have an interest in S&T policy or if you’re trying to figure out what else you might want to do outside of academia. This was a great opportunity to bridge the gap and gain a new understanding and appreciation for how it all works, the people involved, and the profound difference it can make in the end (and all long the way).”

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