Postdoctoral
Fellowship Awards in Studying Complex Systems
2016
Competition
Overview
Please note the
following guidelines are also available in PDF form.
The Studying Complex
Systems program supports scholarship and research directed toward the
development of theoretical and mathematical tools contributing to the science
of complex, adaptive, nonlinear systems. While the program’s emphasis is on the
development and application of the theory and tools used in the study of
complex research questions and not on particular fields of research per se,
JSMF is particularly interested in the continued development of complex systems
science, and in projects attempting to apply complex systems approaches to
coherently articulated questions.
The
Fellowship
Students completing
doctoral training, desiring to continue gaining experience in a
multi-disciplinary field such as complex systems science, benefit from
postdoctoral training providing an opportunity to broaden research experience
and acquire additional skills prior to pursuing a career in academia or
elsewhere. Success in securing a postdoctoral position, particularly those
providing training that adds new dimensions to a student’s doctoral education
(adding theoretical skills to one’s experimental training or vice versa;
pursuing work in a new topic or field), oftentimes depends on the availability
of funds to support positions via institutional training grants or faculty
research grants. The latter case can result in a postdoctoral fellow engaging a
research project dictated by the needs of the research grant rather than his or
her interests or goals.
The James S.
McDonnell Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship Award in Studying Complex Systems
provides fellowships to students completing doctoral training in the
multidisciplinary field of complex systems science. The JSMF Fellowship is
intended to provide students in the final stages of completing a Ph.D. degree
more leeway in identifying and securing postdoctoral training opportunities in
complex systems research. The program, following review of applications,
provides selected pre-doctoral students with “letters of intent to fund” that
the student can use in negotiating with potential postdoctoral training
institutions while the student is in the final phase of graduate school. The JSMF Fellowship is
designed to provide students with an opportunity to seek potential postdoctoral
research opportunities on the basis of the student’s interest and desire to
obtain additional skills and experience that will further their pursuit of
careers in complex systems science.
Award Details
The total amount of
the JSMF Fellowship is $200,000 USD to be expended in no less than 2 and no
more than 3 years.
- The
cost of the full postdoctoral salary or stipend and fringe benefits must
be paid in full from the fellowship. - Institutions
cannot request that other funding sources be used to cover the Fellow’s
salary or stipend; JSMF Fellowship funds are not intended to be used
primarily as a source of laboratory support. - If the
institutional postdoctoral salary scales are set such that there are funds
in excess of what is needed for stipend and benefits, the excess funds can
be used by the institution to support the Fellow’s research.
Important
Note:
JSMF Fellowships are not awarded until the student applies to and is
accepted as a postdoctoral fellow at a qualified 501(c)(3) institution or
foreign equivalent and the institution submits an acceptable application to
JSMF.
Eligibility
This fellowship is
intended for Ph.D. students with theoretical and/or experimental training in
Complex Systems Science that anticipate completing their graduate training in
late 2016 or in 2017. The earliest start-date for a fellowship is November 1,
2016.
Important
Note:
It is not intended for individuals that already have a Ph.D. or students that
have already identified a postdoctoral position and a postdoctoral mentor as
there are traditional funding mechanisms available for these students.
- Applicants
must not already have a Ph.D. or expect to receive one before the application
deadline. - Applicants
should have theoretical and/or experimental training in Complex Systems
Science. - Applicants
should not have already identified a postdoctoral position and
postdoctoral research mentor. - Applicants
should understand that if a letter of intent to fund is received, it is
unlikely that an application to remain at the same institution will be
approved.
JSMF Fellowships can
only be used to support postdoctoral training at a qualified
institution. This includes institutions with IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exemption
status, institutions that are government instrumentalities or foreign
equivalent institutions. More information on JSMF Tax Status policy can be
found here.
Applying
for the Letter of Intent to Fund Phase
It should be clear
from the application that the reason for pursuing a post-doctoral position is
qualitatively adding to the student’s training by pursuing a postdoctoral
position. Ideally, the fellowship will allow the applicant to broaden their
skills, knowledge, and scientific contacts. Complete applications must be
uploaded to the JSMF website. Submissions for the letter of intent to fund
phase must contain:
To
be submitted as a single PDF file by the applicant:
- A JSMF
Coversheet (template: .docx) - A brief
description of the student’s current and future research interests written
in essay format - 2500
word maximum. (include the word count at the top of this section) - Include
how the student’s future plans fit this specific program. - Explain
how the student’s research principles are connected to the field of
complex systems. - A
description of the postdoctoral position the student will seek to obtain
and what he or she intends to achieve during postdoctoral training. - 1000
words maximum. (include the word count at the top of this section) - Evidence
of thoughtful decision making concerning the expectations and goals of
further research training will be an important selection factor. - The
student’s curriculum vita - 2 page
maximum
To
be submitted separately by the Ph.D. mentor and other faculty member:
Two letters of
support are required for each application.
- LETTER
1: Letter of support from Ph.D. mentor - Should
address the student’s qualifications and the benefits anticipated to be
gained during a period of postdoctoral training. - Must
provide assurance that the student will complete all Ph.D. degree
requirements and be able to start a postdoctoral position in late 2016 or
in 2017. - Letters
must be on institutional letterhead (if available) and in PDF format. - No
more than two (2) pages in length. - Letters
of support that are emailed, faxed, or sent by physical mail will not be
processed. - LETTER
2: Letter of support from a faculty member familiar with, but not directly
involved in supervising, the student and the student’s research. - Should
address the student’s qualifications and the benefits anticipated to be
gained during a period of postdoctoral training. - Letters
must be on institutional letterhead (if available) and in PDF format. - No
more than two (2) pages in length. - Letters
of support that are emailed, faxed, or sent by physical mail will not be
processed.
How
to Submit an Application
The deadline for
applications is June 30, 2016, 15:59 Central Time (20:59 UTC). Late
applications will not be reviewed. We recommend submitting applications at
least 24 hours before the deadline to allow for unforeseen circumstances.
Beginning May 1, 2016,
you may use this link to submit an application: https://www.jsmf.org/postdoc
To submit an
application the following information must be entered:
- A
descriptive application title (200 character or less). - The
applicant’s contact information (name, email, current institution). - The
name, institution, and email address of the Ph.D. mentor that will be
providing letter #1 of support. - The
name, institution, and email address of the person that will be providing
letter #2 of support. - File
upload: Select and upload a PDF version of the application containing all
the required information.
Upon submission a
confirmation email will be sent to the student indicating the application was
received.
How
to Submit a Letter of Support
The deadline for
letters of support is June 30, 2016, 15:59 Central Time (20:59 UTC). Late
letters will not be reviewed. We recommend submitting letters of support at
least 24 hours before the deadline to allow for unforeseen circumstances.
Beginning May 1,
2016, you may use this link to submit letters of reference: https://www.jsmf.org/letter
Students must
request two letters of support that address the student’s qualifications and
benefits anticipated to be gained during a period of postdoctoral training.
Letters of support should not be included in the application file. Letters must
be submitted directly by the letter writer.
Letter submitters
will be required to enter his or her:
- Name,
institution, and email address - The
applicant’s name and email address - Select
and then upload a PDF version of the letter of reference.
Upon successful
upload, both the individual submitting the letter of reference and the
applicant will be emailed a receipt.
Deadline
The deadline for
applications and letters of support is June
30, 2016, 15:59 CDT (20:59 UTC). All materials must be
submitted electronically through the specified process.
Decisions
and Notification
Applications that
meet the eligibility requirements will be reviewed by an expert advisory panel.
The panel will use the quality and appropriateness of the proposed fellowship
plan, academic productivity, and letters of support as the basis for recommending
applications for funding consideration.
Final funding
decisions will be announced at the end of October after the JSMF Board of
Directors meets and considers the advisory board’s recommendations.
It is planned that
JSMF could support up to 10 Fellowships, possibly more, each year.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Am I eligible to apply for a
JSMF Postdoctoral Fellowship Award?
I have a question about font,
margin, page requirements, references, image captions, etc.
I have more than one Ph.D.
mentor. Should I have each mentor submit a letter of support?
Will you accept a late application
or letter of reference?
If I apply and receive a letter
of intent to fund, when can I activate the award?
What institutions can be used
for a JSMF Postdoctoral Fellowship Award?
I applied to the program in a
prior year. Am I eligible to apply again this year?
If I receive a letter of
intent to fund, am I able to stay at my current institution?
Am
I eligible to apply for a JSMF fellowship award?
Review the eligibility requirements to determine if you are eligible to apply
for a fellowship award.
I
have a question about font, margin, page requirements, references, image
captions, etc.
There are no specific guidelines related to these types of questions. Use your
best judgment, and understand that the application file submitted needs to be
easily readable. References and image captions are not included in word counts.
I
have more than one Ph.D. mentor. Should I have each mentor submit a letter of
support?
No. Only one Ph.D. mentor letter of support will be included with your
application file. If you have more than 1 mentor please ask them to write a
joint letter.
I
have more than one letter for the non-mentor letter of support. Should I have
each letter writer upload a letter?
No. Only one non-mentor letter will be included with your application file.
Will
you accept a late application or letter of reference?
No. All materials must be received on or before the official deadline. Late
applications and letters of reference will not be reviewed.
If
I apply and receive a letter of intent to fund, when can I activate the award?
Letters of intent awarded in 2016 may be activated beginning November 1, 2016.
What
institutions can be used for a JSMF Postdoctoral Fellowship Award?
Please note that
due to changes in U.S. Treasury regulations, the Foundation no longer maintains
a list of grantee institutions on file.
If awarded a letter of intent to fund, applicants must select a postdoctoral
position at a qualified institution. Any U.S. or foreign institution with IRS
501(c)(3) tax-exemption status qualifies. Domestic or foreign institutions that
are instruments of the government (supported financially by the state or
national government) also qualify. In all cases, potential grantee institutions
require supporting documentation of the institution’s tax status.
I’m
having a problem with an electronic application or a particular program
guideline. Whom can I contact for help?
For the fastest response, send an email to help@jsmf.org.
I
applied to the program in a prior year. Am I eligible to apply again this year?
No. Once you have applied to the JSMF Postdoctoral Fellowship program you are
not eligible to apply again in future years.
If
I receive a letter of intent to fund, am I able to stay at my current
institution?
The intent of this program is to allow students to broaden their training and
experience. It is unlikely that an application to remain at the same
institution will be approved.
