WIS Professional Development Scholarships – Request for Applications (RFA)
Women in Science Portland’s Professional Development Scholarships enable Portland-area graduate students to enhance their career development by attending conferences, workshops, courses, or other educational opportunities.
Application link: https://forms.gle/rtEx3LzWDzxZATEQ8
Application deadline: Monday, April 17, 2023, 11:59 PM PT
Who can apply?
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
– Identify as a historically marginalized gender. Our definition of historically marginalized gender identities includes cisgender women, transgender women, transgender men, non-binary individuals, and all gender identities which have been systematically oppressed by those in power throughout history.
– Be currently enrolled in a STEM post-baccalaureate, Master’s, or Ph.D. program based in the Portland metropolitan area.
What can this scholarship be used for?
Scholarship funds may be used to support attendance at virtual or in-person professional development events, including research conferences, workshops, and courses. Examples of covered expenses include registration, course materials, abstract submission fees, travel, and accommodations.
What is the scholarship amount?
Applicants may request up to $500. Please note that smaller requests may have a greater likelihood of funding.
How many scholarships will be awarded?
WIS aims to fund up to $2000 in Professional Development Scholarships. The exact number of awardees will depend on the number of applicants, quality of applications, and funding amounts requested by applicants.
How will this scholarship be awarded?
Scholarship funds will be awarded after the event in the form of reimbursement by PayPal or mailed check. **Funds must be used within one year of award notice.**
What are the application components?
Applicants will be asked to provide the following:
– Contact information
– Demographic information
– Event information – Name and date(s) of event, estimated budget
– Statement of benefit to applicant (500 words or less) – Please describe how attending this event will benefit your professional and/or educational goals.
– Statement of benefit to community (500 words or less) – Please describe how attending this event will help you enhance your community.
– Other funding sources – List any other sources of funding available to you for professional development (e.g. fellowships with conference funds, funds from mentor, other travel awards).
– Optional statement of barriers to professional development (500 words or less) – WIS is committed to equity in STEM and seeks to support individuals belonging to groups excluded from STEM due to race/ethnicity, gender identity, disability, housing status, and/or other factors. If you are comfortable describing such barriers to your professional development, you may do so here.
When and how will my application be assessed?
We aim to review applications within two weeks following the deadline and will contact applicants with our decision shortly thereafter. Applications will be blinded and scored by a committee of WIS volunteers using a standardized rubric grading the following: clarity of proposal, benefit to applicant, benefit to community, and need.
For any questions, please check out our website or contact us at scholarships@womeninsciencepdx.org. We look forward to your submissions!
WIS Professional Development Scholarships – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can WIS volunteers apply for this scholarship?
Yes! We just ask that you refrain from participating in the scholarship review process for the same cycle during which you applied.
Can this scholarship be used to pay for tuition?
No, scholarship funds may not be used for graduate program tuition and fees.
Do I need an existing funding source in order to apply?
No, existing funding is not necessary to apply for this scholarship. However, if professional development expenses exceed the maximum amount of the scholarship, the difference may be funded by another source (e.g. mentor, other awards).
Do I need a faculty sponsor?
No, a faculty sponsor is not required to apply for this scholarship.
What if I’m unable to afford the award expenses up front due to financial circumstances?
If awardees are unable to afford professional development expenses up front, WIS can either (1) provide earlier reimbursement (e.g. reimburse the awardee after they pay for conference registration, but before the conference has passed), or (2) directly purchase for the awardee (e.g. pay for the conference registration itself on behalf of awardee). Early reimbursement or direct purchase is subject to approval by WIS leadership. Please reach out to scholarships@womeninsciencepdx.org if either arrangement is needed.
What are some examples of community benefit from this scholarship?
Broadly speaking, we intend for awardees to share the knowledge gained from their professional development activities with their peers. Some examples include writing a post for the WIS PDX blog, making a guest appearance on the WISterhood Podcast, or organizing a workshop at your institute using your newfound skills. We welcome your creative ideas for achieving this goal!