New Scholars

Elsevier Foundation

New Scholars Program

Science and society benefit when talented individuals from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences can develop successful careers in science, health, and technology.  The challenge of managing family responsibilities has been identified as a particular obstacle to recruiting, retaining and developing new academics and researchers, particularly women. 

The 2009 Elsevier Foundation New Scholars Program will give priority to the efforts of the academic and research community to address the fundamental challenge of balancing childcare and family responsibilities with the demanding academic careers in science, health, and technology.   The program is focused on doctoral candidates and scholars in the first five years of their post-doctoral careers. 

The Foundation provides one, two and three year grants to non-profit academic and research institutions, learned societies, professional associations, and governmental and non-governmental organizations.  Grant proposals are welcome for: 

§         Programs that enable scientists to attend conferences, meetings, workshops and symposia that are critical to the development of a career in science by helping them with childcare and other family responsibilities when attending scientific gatherings.   

§         Programs that, as part of an institutional commitment to advancing women in science, provide support to promising new scientists to attend scientific gatherings.

§         Programs to encourage networking and mentorship within the institutions and disciplines in ways that support the challenges of faculty and staff with family responsibilities.

§         Research, advocacy, and policy development to advance knowledge, awareness and application of programs to retain, recruit and develop women in science. 

Proposals from broad geographic regions, including developing countries and other resource-constrained settings are encouraged. Preference will be given to proposals that clearly demonstrate the following:

·         Innovative program ideas.

·         An institutional commitment to advancing women in science, including policies, programs and leadership.

·         Programs that will serve as models and will encourage continued efforts to advance women in science.   

·         Proposals that promote partnerships and knowledge sharing among institutions, including between institutions in the developed and developing world.

·         Realistic budgets tied to outcomes.

·         Programs with clear criteria and objectives to be achieved through the grant funding.

Guidelines:

Proposals are welcome for single-year grants in amounts between US$5,000 to US$50,000.  Proposals will be accepted for multi-year programs (up to three years) for grant amounts of US$5,000 to US$50,000 per year.  Grant proposals should be submitted in full no later than August 1, 2009. Awards will be announced in December 2009.   Proposals should be focused and well-defined, and must address each of the following elements:

1.       Cover letter: Provide a one-page description of the objectives and key activities of the program. Include contact details and the amount of funding requested.

2.       Goals and plan:  A clear description of the program goals and implementation plan, including timeframe.

3.       Innovation: How will the program introduce new ideas, policies or capabilities of the institution to recruit, retain and develop more women scientists?  How will the program serve as a model for others

4.        Results/Impact:  The significance of the program’s intended impact on the institution, and by extension, the world.  If the proposal is for a grant to an individual scientist, how will that grant support a broader objective of promoting the role of women scientists in the institution?

5.       Sustainability:  How will the benefits of the program be sustained after the grant has been expended.

6.       Budget:  The total amount of the grant requested and justification for the requested amount, including a clear budget overview spreadsheet that indicates in as much detail as possible intended expenditures and other sources of funding, if any.

7.       Evaluation:  How the program will be measured and evaluated and how its results will be reported.  

8.       Organization and partnership:  A description of the organization requesting the grant, confirmation of its status as a non-profit entity, and a listing of key officers and staff who will direct the implementation of the program.   Description of key program partners, if any.

9.       Length: Proposals must be sent digitally and limited to 10 pages (not including the cover letter and budget overview).

10.   Final Report for Awarded Grants: The Elsevier Foundation requires a final report from grantees at the time of completion of funded activities.  The report should be both descriptive and evaluative, and include:

§         detailed summary of activities during the grant period

§         Internal and external media coverage generated

§         accounting report of grant expenditures

§         assessment of project goals (including level of achievement)

Please don’t hesitate to contact the Elsevier Foundation with any questions concerning the development of your proposal.

Download these guidelines (.pdf)