Sponsored by the College of Engineering, Computing, and Applied Sciences, the Dean’s Future Scholars Academy is an intensive 6-week experience that prepares current graduate students to submit research and fellowship proposals. Current students are automatically considered for participation and are nominated by the Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Graduate Studies, before finally receiving an invitation to participate from the CECAS dean.
Format: 6-week series with weekly in-person and synchronous Zoom option. Approximately 1 hour of content/presentation with additional time for meeting with students and feedback.
Academy graduates will be able to: identify and apply for research funding and academic fellowships, develop robust research plans, and construct compelling personal statements.
Series Structure
Week 1: Introduction
- Identifying and Selecting funding sources
- Annotating application requirements
- Reading sample proposals
- Schedule an appointment to discuss the funding source
Week 2: Writing About Research
- Describing your research in technical language/plain language
- Understand the “state of the world” for your research and current knowledge gaps
- Discussing the intellectual merits of your specific research
Week 3: The Craft of Writing & References
- Common errors & best practices
- How to prepare for and ask for references
- Workshop week 2 submissions
Week 4: Big Picture
- Identify the broader impacts of your research field
- Read about current “hot topics” and broader impacts
- Writing about the broader impacts of your research
Week 5: Personal Statements
- Elements of compelling personal statements
- Describing goals and relevant background
- Panel with previously funded students
Week 6: Research Statements
- Addressing Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts
- Communicating experience and vision for continuing research
- Connections to current literature/identified knowledge gaps
