Claire M. Fagin Fellowship

2012 Fellowship Application Specifics

John. A. Hartford Foundation
Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity
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.This Fellowship supports two years of full time advanced research and leadership training for doctorally prepared nurses committed to careers in academic geriatric nursing. Through generous funding from The John A. Hartford Foundation, the BAGNC Program awards a total of $120,000 to each selected Claire M. Fagin Fellow.  The Mayday Fund provides an additional $5,000 award to selected candidates whose research focuses on pain in older persons.

Eligibility

Fellowship 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.

If Selected, Fellows must:

• devote fulltime 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 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, and
• attend BAGNCs Annual Leadership Conference as well as the Gerontological Society of Americas (GSA) Annual Scientific Meeting. (Mentors are strongly encouraged to attend the Leadership Conference.)

Program Description

Overview

The Claire M. Fagin Fellowship Program focuses on building academic geriatric nursing capacity through the development of leaders in gerontological nursing. To facilitate this effort, the program provides focused study and substantial networking opportunities among BAGNC scholars, Claire M. Fagin 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. It is important that the school chosen have the resources and capacity to support the Fellow in his or her fellowship plan.

The John A. Hartford Foundation funds nine Centers of Geriatric Nursing Excellence. These Hartford Centers demonstrate strong commitment to gerontological nursing, and have outstanding leadership and capacity in gerontological research, practice and education. Although applicants are encouraged to consider these Hartford Centers as potential sites for their doctoral program, it is not a requirement for this application. Research in Gerontological Nursing publishes characteristics of doctoral programs that include an emphasis on gerontological nursing in their April issue each year.

Professional Development Plan, Research Project and Mentor

The application has two components: a professional development plan and a research proposal.The professional development plan details activities tailored to enhance the applicants preparation in research, teaching and leadership.Next, the applicant will propose a significant gerontological nursing research project consistent with the applicants interests and previous research or clinical experience and identify a mentor or mentors 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.

Support

The Claire M. Fagin Fellowship Award offers each candidate a total of $120,000, not to exceed $60,000 per year. Applicants may also request an additional $5,000 Mayday Award if research focuses on pain in older adults, which may be used over the two year term.  The Coordinating Center covers the Fellows travel and hotel for participation in the Leadership Conference.

Criteria Considered in Selection of Claire M. Fagin Fellows

Strong applications must demonstrate all of the following:

• Evidence of commitment to a career in academic geriatric nursing
• Evidence of involvement in educational, research and professional activities
• Potential for substantial, long term contributions to the knowledge base in gerontological nursing
• Potential for leadership

Proposed Research must demonstrate:

• Significance and timeliness for improving the health and well-being of older adults and their caregivers
• High quality, feasibility and innovativeness
• Potential for making contributions to the field of geriatric nursing

Proposed Development Plan must be:

• Tailored to address needs of the applicant and
• Clear in detailing plans for enhancing preparation in research, teaching and leadership

Detailed guidelines for preparing the application are part of the Application Checklist.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The BAGNC program includes ongoing administrative support as well as oversight. Please review BAGNC Program Policies.

2012 Timeline

January: Applications due 12:00 Midnight EST, January 11th

March: BAGNC Selection Committee reviews all completed applications submitted by the stated deadline then selects a panel of candidates. All applicants are advised of decisions as soon as possible.

July:  Award program officially begins July 1, 2012

Questions?

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