NASA ADMINISTRATOR’S FELLOWSHIP PROJECT (NAFP)
2009 APPLICATION INTENT FORM
Division: Science and Technology Division Program Name: NASA Administrator’s Fellowship Project (NAFP) Funding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Key Contact: Dr. Melissa C. Green Director, Science and Technology Programs Direct Phone: (703) 205-7636 Fax: (703) 205-7645 Email: [email protected]
Alternate Contact: Ms. Sondra M. Lancaster Manager, Research and Technology Direct Phone: (703) 205-8137 Fax: (703) 205-7645 Email: [email protected]
Address: 2750 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 600 Fairfax, VA 22031
Submission Deadline: December 31, 2008 Program Overview
The NASA Administrator’s Fellowship Project is a unique program designed to enhance the professional development of NASA employees and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) faculty at Minority Institutions (MIs)1. The program also strives to increase the capability of MIs to respond to NASA’s research, development, and education needs.
Since 1997, eighty-eight (88) fellows have entered the NAFP. Through the development and implementation of professional development plans tailored to each individual fellows’ and host institutions’ needs, the benefits to Minority Institutions, faculty, and NASA employees include:
Access to NASA’s internal and informal information networks Opportunity to gain and expand knowledge of NASA’s technical and scientific needs Opportunity to share information about specific MI capabilities and technologies Enhancement of undergraduate and graduate research capabilities and activities Opportunity to build scholarly publication and presentation skills
In order to meet NAFP objectives, two categories of respondents are encouraged to apply:
1) NASA Career Employees – These fellows will teach and/or conduct research at a MI (not to exceed one academic school year) and participate in developmental assignments at NASA Headquarters, NASA centers, NASA-related research organizations, other government agencies, or in the private sector. Employee fellows will spend approximately 9 months teaching at a MI and 9-13 months in professional development assignments. The length of the program for NASA employees is 18-22 months.
2) STEM Faculty of Minority Institutions – These fellows will conduct research at NASA Centers, NASA Headquarters, NASA-related research organizations, other government agencies, or in the private sector. They may also pursue other developmental assignments over the course of the fellowship. Faculty fellows will spend 12 months conducting research at a NASA center and 9 months “in-residence” at their home institution conducting NASA- related research. The length of the program for faculty fellows is 21 months.
The participation of fellows from both NASA and academia will serve to increase knowledge of the scientific and technical needs of NASA as well as increase the capability of MIs to participate in NASA-sponsored research and development (R&D) programs. Fellow participation will also allow NASA to share information about leading edge technologies and establish relationships with the MIs. In addition, fellows will receive training in the latest teaching methods for mathematics, science, and engineering, and in the presentation of research results. These benefits will strengthen the fellows in their careers and provide enhanced capabilities to assist in the academic preparation of future scientists and engineers.
1 Minority Institutions are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Other Minority Institutions as identified by the U.S. Department of Education. NASA Employee Fellowship
Up to six fellowships will be awarded to NASA career employees enabling them to serve as scientists/engineers/managers at MIs for a period of one academic year (approximately 9 months). This award will allow NASA career employees to teach, conduct research in science/engineering, or assist in an administrative capacity at these institutions, subsequently building promising relationships between minority serving institutions, the community, and NASA. The next 9 to 13 months will be spent on developmental assignments at NASA Headquarters, NASA centers and other related organizations. These assignments will provide NASA career employees with the experience and insight to help guide future NASA initiatives, positioning them for greater leadership responsibilities within the agency. NASA employee fellows will share information about NASA-specific technology with the colleges and universities. They will also assist the host institution in familiarizing itself with NASA’s mission, the exchange of NASA-specific technology, procedures for initiating and responding to NASA contracts/proposals, and generally providing the institutions with background information pertinent to establishing a relationship with the agency.
ELIGIBILITY
. The applicant must be a U.S. Citizen. . The applicant must be a career NASA employee at or above the GS-13 level. . The applicant must hold, at least, a Master’s degree in a STEM field. . The applicant must be recommended by the Center Director, AND Branch Chief OR Directorate Head. . The applicant must be willing to teach or conduct research at a minority institution. . The applicant must return to NASA in accordance with NASA’s training policy.
BENEFITS
NASA employees will bring some of the most current science and engineering technology to the MIs. This interaction of ideas and experiences will enable NASA to expand its working relationships and gain an understanding of how best to communicate and disseminate information on its emerging science and technologies to the MIs. By participating in the exchange of developmental activities, NASA employees will also enhance their own technical and management skills to assist NASA in meeting its future science and technology goals.
SALARIES, PER DIEM AND TRAVEL
NASA employee fellows retain their current salaries, benefits and status. Salaries are paid by the employee’s NASA Center organization. Fellows may receive an additional 55% of the host site per diem rate if it is necessary to relocate for participation in the fellowship. Per Diem will be paid through the NAFP Project. Professional travel associated with the fellowship will be provided under the project grant and will be governed by US Government travel regulations. STEM Faculty Fellowship
Up to six fellowships will be awarded to Minority Institution faculty. The participation of faculty scientists, mathematicians, and engineers is intended to enhance the basic research and management capability of the schools to become involved in science and technology areas of interest to NASA and other government entities. Providing mid-career faculty the opportunity to conduct research at NASA centers or other large institutions will enable the recipients to compete better in the mainstream, peer-reviewed research programs of NASA. Fellows will also be provided with opportunities to interface with high level NASA and other government officials, to participate in NASA’s R&D programs, and to learn about innovative scientific and engineering research methods. Faculty fellows will also participate in discussions of the pedagogy of STEM disciplines. These experiences will enhance their professional careers and better position their home institutions to participate in NASA’s mission. Part of the faculty fellowship may also be spent in areas of management, operation, and non-research technologies outside of the NASA center.
ELIGIBILITY
. The applicant must be a U.S. Citizen. . The applicant must be (at least) a full time, tenure-track faculty member of a Minority Institution. . The applicant must hold a PhD, ScD, or equivalent in a STEM field OR have expertise in NASA-related field. . The applicant must be recommended by Department Chair or Dean AND President. . The applicant must NOT serve as Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator on any NASA research grant during their fellowship tenure at a NASA Center. . The applicant must return to the home institution in a teaching/research capacity for at least two years after the fellowship.
BENEFITS
Faculty fellows, at the end of a successful fellowship experience, are eligible to conduct NASA- related research at their home institution by submitting a proposal for a NAFP Research Award. This award to the fellow’s home institution would provide support for the faculty fellow to continue his/her NASA-related research.
STIPENDS
Faculty fellows remain on the payroll of the institution where they are employed and the fellowship provides the institution with the fellow’s current salary and benefits for the 12 months of the fellowship spent at a NASA Center. Fellows may receive an additional 55% of the host site per diem rate if it is necessary to relocate for participation in the fellowship. Professional travel associated with the fellowship is provided under the project grant and will be governed by US Government travel regulations. NAFP Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I have no presentations and/or publications. May I still apply to the program? How does this affect my chances of being selected? A. Yes, you may still apply to the program. If your publications and/or presentations are limited, you should emphasize your academic and professional accomplishments. Also, highlight the benefits of your research/teaching plan to the minority institution and NASA.
Q. Am I required to have an established relationship with my proposed institution? A. No. However, applicants should take the initiative to research the various institutions and/or create a relationship. Those that do so tend to receive more favorable reviews.
Q. When are the selections to the program made? A. The review panel meets in March to review and rank the applications. NAFP Program Management at NASA Headquarters makes its decision in late March or early April.
Q. Who will pay my salary while I am away for the NAFP experience? A. All NASA Employee applicants must work with their management and/or human capital representative to determine which agency project their salary will be charged against while they are away from their home NASA center during their participation in the NAFP. Neither the NAFP nor the host institution can pay the salary for the NASA Employees should they be selected into the program. The STEM Faculty applicants will continue to be paid by their home institution during their NAFP tenure. Faculty fellows will remain on the payroll of the institution where they are employed. The NAFP will provide the institution with the fellow’s current salary and benefits for the 12 months of the fellowship spent at the host NASA Center.
Q. Do you always have six STEM Faculty and six NASA Employee Fellows? A. No, six fellows are not always selected to fill the slots in each category. Applicants are selected based on the strength of their application, as well as the perceived benefits to NASA and the Minority Institution(s). Only those applicants who meet NASA’s requirements and are deemed meritorious in the application process will be offered a fellowship.
Q. If I am offered a fellowship, do I have to accept? A. No, you do not have to accept a fellowship if offered.
Q. If offered a fellowship, when do we start? A. The new cohort of NAFP fellows begins its fellowship with a required week-long orientation. The majority of fellows begin their tenure at their host fellowship site in late August or early September.
Q. STEM Faculty: Are only faculty from Minority Institutions eligible for the program? A. Yes, any faculty member who serves at an accredited, post-secondary Minority Institution as defined by the United States Department of Education is eligible to apply.
Q. NASA Employees: Am I required to select only a Minority Institution as my host site? A. Yes, employees must select as their host fellowship site any accredited post-secondary Minority Institution as defined by the United States Department of Education. Please note that your chosen institution is not guaranteed. If your chosen institution does not meet NASA’s requirements for the NAFP, you will be asked to identify another NASA-approved institution.
Q. When is the application deadline? A. For STEM Faculty the deadline will be mid-January 2009. Please visit the NAFP website regularly for updated information on the project and deadline dates (www.uncfsp.org/nafp). NASA Employee deadlines vary by center. NASA Employees should contact the NAFP representative at their center for internal deadline information. NASA Administrator's Fellowship Program Application of Intent Form Please type or print form.
Name: Gender (opt): Male Female Last First Middle Suffix
Mailing Address: Home Work Other
Address (office/mail code, street, city, state, zip code)
Tel: Fax: E-mail Address:
Are you a U.S. Citizen? Yes No
Application Type NASA Employee Fellowship STEM Faculty Fellowship
NASA Center: Institution:
City & State: City & State:
Indicate your ethnic background (opt): How did you find out about this fellowship? Native Pacific Native American Current NAFP Fellow Former NAFP Fellow Islander African American Asian Awareness Meeting Internet Other (please Hispanic White/Caucasian specify) Other (please
specify)
Completed forms should be faxed or emailed to:
NASA Administrator’s Fellowship Project (NAFP) Fax: (703) 205-7645 – or – Email: [email protected]
For more information on the NASA Administrator’s Fellowship Project (NAFP), please visit: www.uncfsp.org/nafp or contact the NAFP Project Office at UNCF Special Programs Corporation at (703) 205-8137.