Claire M. Fagin Fellowship

2009 Fellowship Application Specifics

The John A. Hartford Foundation & The Atlantic Philanthropies
Claire M. Fagin Fellowship Program

The American Academy of Nursing seeks applicants for its Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity (BAGNC) Claire M. Fagin Fellowship Program. The Fellowship supports two years of full time advanced research and leadership training for doctorally prepared faculty committed to careers in academic geriatric nursing. The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Atlantic Philanthropies provide $120,000 for the 2-year fellowship ($60,000 per annum). The Mayday Fund provides an additional $5,000 award to selected candidates whose research focuses on pain in older persons. Fellowship programs must begin between July 1st and September 1st of the award year.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• be doctorally-prepared registered nurses,
• hold degree(s) in nursing,
• be United States citizens or permanent U.S. residents,
  
• have potential to develop into independent investigators, AND
• demonstrate potential for long-term contributions to geriatric nursing.

Applications will be accepted from (1) doctoral students who will complete their doctoral program prior to official start of the award and (2) faculty members in accredited Schools of Nursing who hold the rank of assistant professor or associate professor.  Priority is given to applicants who have received a PhD within 7 years of their application. The Fellowship is not intended to support basic research training.

The program is committed to advancing well-qualified applicants from under-represented minority groups to improve the nation’s ability to provide culturally competent care to its increasingly diverse aging population.

The application has two components – a professional development plan and a research proposal. The applicant will propose a significant gerontological nursing research project consistent with the applicant’s interests and previous research or clinical experience, identify a mentor (s) who is a strong geriatric nurse scientist with whom he/she will work, and provide a signed letter from the proposed mentor (s) outlining a plan for their work together. For program administration purposes, one mentor must be designated as the primary mentor.

Program Description

Overview. The Claire M. Fagin Fellowship Program focuses on the development of academic leadership in gerontological nursing through such activities as: research; focused study; networking among BAGNC scholars, fellows and mentors as well as colleagues in other fields.

Selected Fellows, in collaboration with their mentor(s), will design and implement an individual professional development plan that will support them in developing new competencies and enhanced effectiveness as an academic leader and researcher.

Over the award term, successful Fellows will demonstrate growth in ability to transform self and organizations by moving outside of traditional modes of success; complete and write-up a significant research project; and achieve funding from other sources.

Institution. The selected institution is a significant consideration in the application review and selection process. Many nursing schools throughout the country are acceptable places of study and research. It is important that the school chosen have the resources and capacity to support the Fellow in his or her research program.

The John A. Hartford Foundation funds nine Centers of Geriatric Nursing Excellence located at the following Schools or Colleges of Nursing: Arizona State University,
Oregon Health & Science University,
Pennsylvania State University,
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences,
University of California at San Francisco,
University of Iowa,
University of Minnesota,
University of Pennsylvania, and
University of Utah. 
These Centers demonstrate the highest level of commitment to gerontological nursing, and have outstanding leadership and capacity in gerontological research, practice and education. Applicants are encouraged to consider these Centers as potential sites for their fellowship program as appropriate, but it is not required.

Support. A total of $120,000 is awarded to each selected candidate for the two-year program. In addition, scholars’ travel and hotel expenses for the Annual Leadership Conference are covered by the BAGNC program. The Mayday Fund provides an additional $5,000 award to selected candidates whose research focuses on pain in older persons.

Requirements

If Selected, Fellows must:

• Devote full time effort to the research project and professional development plan. While some academic commitments may be maintained, these should be relevant to the Fellow’s research and study, sufficiently minimal so as not to reduce full time equivalency in the funded fellowship program and not be in conflict with the work the Fellow is undertaking. Where such activities are to be undertaken they must be carefully and fully described in the application.
• Attend BAGNC’s Annual Leadership Conference and the Gerontological Society of America’s Annual Scientific Meeting. Both meetings are essential and required activities for the Fellow. (Mentors are encouraged to attend.)
• Seek approval of the BAGNC Program Director before changing institutions. The selected institution is a significant consideration in the application review and selection process, therefore changes in venue during the Fellowship Program would require petition, review and approval by the program director.
• Propose a research project which may be carried out independently with appropriate mentoring or in conjunction with a larger project already underway at the institution of choice.  The Fellowship is not intended to support basic research training.

Criteria Considered in the Selection of Fellows

Note: Strong applications will demonstrate all of the following.

Applicant

• Evidence of commitment to a career in academic geriatric nursing
• Nature and extent of applicant’s involvement in educational, research and professional activities
• Potential for substantial, long term contributions to the knowledge base in gerontological nursing
• Leadership potential

Proposed Research and Professional Development Plan

• Significance and timeliness of the proposed research project for improving the health and well-being of older adults and their caregivers
• Quality, feasibility and innovativeness of the proposed research project 
• Potential for making contributions to geriatric nursing
• A professional development plan tailored to address needs of the applicant
• A professional development plan tailored to address preparation in research, teaching and leadership
  

Selected Mentor(s) and Institutions of Study

• The qualifications of the faculty mentor and detailed evidence of the mentor’s commitment to and involvement with the applicant’s professional development and activities throughout the two-year award program
• The match between the mentor’s area of gerontological nursing research and the applicant’s research interest area
• The primary mentor’s agreement to participate in BAGNC Program activities including the Annual Leadership Conference when possible
• Evidence of school’s commitment to the applicant’s academic career and professional development during the applicant’s fellowship period

Monitoring and Evaluation

The BAGNC program includes ongoing administrative support as well as oversight. Please read the following policies for details on these features.

• Program Policies and Reporting Procedures
• Disbursement Policy and Financial Office Agreement

Timeline

January: Applications due.
March: BAGNC Selection Committee reviews all completed applications submitted by the stated deadline then selects a panel of candidates.
All applicants are advised of funding decisions as soon as feasible.
July 1st:  Award program officially begins.
September 1st: With prior approval, candidates may delay official start of award until this date.

Questions?

Please first check our FAQ page. If you need further clarification or have additional questions, please contact anyone at the Coordinating Center.