BAGNC Predoctoral Scholarship

2009 Predoctoral Application Checklist

Please use the following checklist as you develop your application.  Items listed in the left hand column, are required elements for the Fellowship application.   The right column provides a description of each item.

Additional items are not accepted.  Submitting additional items or addenda may result in removing your application for consideration.

Below is the list of items to be provided and a description of each. As noted in the FAQ section, the process of completing an application may take much longer than anticipated; therefore, we encourage you to begin as soon as possible.

Data Sheet	Basic identifying information. Please note we require all applicants provide a second, permanent e-mail address.
Professional Development Plan for the scholarship period (5-7 pages double spaced, 12 point Arial, 1 inch margins using APA or AMA format)	The professional development plan must include:      (a) an introduction that traces your personal and professional interest in geriatric nursing; (b) a summary of relevant training and experience; (c) the proposed institution for study and reason for choosing that institution; (d) identified Mentor(s) and why his or her background is appropriate for the applicant’s program of research; (e) research, teaching and leadership goals for the program; (f) research, teaching and leadership competencies to be attained during the program; (g) activities planned to develop the competencies - plotted along a two year time line—including the applicant’s program of study; (h) long-term (10 – 15 years) plans. “Where do you see yourself in 15 years? Scholars are expected to devote full time (minimum of 40 hours/week) to their professional development plan and research. Scholars are not permitted to work more than .5FTE during the Scholarship period. Where some work activities are to be undertaken during the scholarship period, they must be carefully and fully described in the application. The length is a maximum 5-7 pages, not including the following three addenda: 1.  References (if applicable). 2.  Mentor/Consultant Information. A list including primary mentor, other mentors, and consultants as applicable. Include name, credentials, organization, and email for each person. 3. Response to Reviewers. If you have previously applied for a predoctoral scholarship and received feedback from the review committee, explain in two pages or less how you have addressed the issues raised by reviewers.
Budget for each grant year Format: You must use Excel format provided in online application system.	Provide a budget for grant year I and grant year II including details on funding utilization. The budget should contain a detailed research and funding timetable, beginning July 1, 2009 or no later than September 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2011 or no later than August 31, 2011. The Predoctoral Scholarship Award offers each candidate a total of $100,000 to support tuition*, academic fees*, and a stipend which may not exceed $30,000 per year.*  * Each of these expenses must be a line item in the budget Each grant year total may not exceed $50,000. Applicants may also request an additional $5,000 Mayday Award if research focuses on pain in older adults. Applicants must include all anticipated sources of funding e.g. NRSA funding. Budgets must be reviewed and signed by an appropriate official at the proposed institution of study prior to application submission. No indirect costs allowed.
Official statement of tuition and fees	Provide a statement that confirms tuition and fees for the coming academic year. If information is available online, a printout from the university's website may be scanned and uploaded.
Letters of Commitment from all mentors, advisors and consultants, including mentors’ and consultants’ 4-page NIH format bio-sketch. No specific format required for this letter. Letter can be addressed to the Program Director.	A letter from each mentor, advisor and consultant who will support and advise the applicant in implementing the scholarship program.  If more than one mentor is listed, applicant MUST identify who will serve as primary mentor in the Professional Development Plan.  Letters should include a detailed proposal for involvement in the applicant's professional development; and strategies to help the applicant form linkages with relevant colleagues and institutions. Include each mentor's NIH-formatted 4-page bio-sketch. The Program reserves the right to call the mentor(s) for additional information.
Letter of commitment from institution of study. No specific format required for this letter. Letter can be addressed to the Program Director.	A letter of commitment signed by the Dean or other appropriate administrator at the proposed institution of study that documents the school’s current capacity in geriatrics, i.e., curriculum, grants, faculty and other initiatives; an outline of institutional resources available to the candidate, e.g., secretarial support, technology; etc. Letter will also address the school’s commitment to work with selected predoctoral scholar in securing continued funding support to complete the PhD program once BAGNC support is finished.
Letter of commitment from employing agency (if applicable) No specific format required for this letter. Letter can be addressed to the Program Director.	If an applicant plans to work during the Scholarship period, the employer must provide a letter describing sufficient release time to allow full time commitment to the Scholarship program.  Scholars are not permitted to work more than .5FTE during the Scholarship period. See Professional Development Plan for more information.
Applicant's Curriculum Vitae	Current document that includes education, professional experience, research, publications, special achievements, and professional service activities.
Transcripts	We require the unofficial copy(ies) uploaded into the online application (please combine into one PDF). The sealed, official transcript(s) must be mailed to the Coordinating Center at the address at the end of this page. If you have transcripts from more than one institution, compile all official transcripts and send them in one package using a tracking service to be sure they are delivered to the Coordinating Center. If an institution will not release the official transcript to you, be sure it has the correct mailing address and follow up to ensure it is received. NOTE: - The unofficial uploaded version may be a printout from the university website. - If PhD is currently underway, submit transcript that incorporates all classes to date.
3 letters of reference (other than mentor(s)) No specific format required for this letter. Letter can be addressed to the Program Director.	The three references must speak to the potential of the candidate to complete the program and offer specific evidence of the candidate’s potential for academic and professional leadership in the field. Provide the name, credentials, institution and email address for each reference. References will be completed online. The reference and the applicant will receive a confirmation email when the reference is completed and received.
Institutional signoff No specific format required for this letter. Letter can be addressed to the Program Director.	Signed letter from appropriate institutional office stating support for application to the BAGNC Program. This letter/signoff is intended to be from the office that will handle the financial administration of the award.