BAGNC Predoctoral Scholarship

2009 Predoctoral Application Specifics

John. A. Hartford Foundation
Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity
Predoctoral Scholarship Program

The American Academy of Nursing seeks applicants for its Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity (BAGNC) Predoctoral Scholarship Program. This 2-year scholarship program supports full time doctoral education for nurses committed to careers in academic geriatric nursing. Through generous funding from The John A. Hartford Foundation, the BAGNC Program awards a total of $100,000 ($50,000 per annum) to each selected Predoctoral Scholar candidate.  The Mayday Fund provides an additional $5,000 award to selected candidates whose research focuses on pain in older persons. Scholarship Award programs must begin between July 1st and September 1st of the award year.

Eligibility

Predoctoral applicants must:

• be registered nurses,
• hold degree(s) in nursing,
• be United States citizens or permanent U.S. residents,
  
• plan an academic and research career, AND
• demonstrate potential for long-term contributions to geriatric nursing.

BAGNC Scholarship applicants must meet all requirements for admission to the School of Nursing in which they plan to study and be accepted to the program prior to the official start of the BAGNC award term. The School of Nursing must have strong gerontological offerings and preferably have postdoctoral programs available in gerontological nursing.  Finally, selected BAGNC Scholars are required to enroll full-time.

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

Mentorship is the cornerstone of the BAGNC program. Applicants must identify a strong mentor whose program of research in gerontological nursing is a good match with the applicant’s research interest area. Mentors must provide a letter outlining the plan for their work with the applicant.  Each applicant must  designate one individual as the primary mentor for the grant term.

Program Description

Overview. The goal of the BAGNC Scholarship program is to increase academic geriatric nursing capacity in the United States. Scholars, in collaboration with their mentor, will design and implement a tailored professional development plan which supports development of new competencies and enhanced effectiveness as an academic leader. The Program focuses on the development of academic leadership in gerontological nursing through:

• strong mentorship in the components of academic geriatric nursing (research, teaching and community service),
• leadership development,
• a national network of scholars, fellows and academic geriatric nurses, and
• exposure to a wide range of experts in gerontology and geriatrics.

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 Scholar in his or her doctoral study.

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 doctoral program, but it is not required.

Support. A total of $100,000 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, Scholars must:

• Assume and maintain full-time student status throughout award period; eliminate or reduce work commitments to .5FTE or less.
• Attend BAGNC’s Annual Leadership Conference as well as the Gerontological Society of America’s (GSA) Annual Scientific Meeting. Both meetings are essential and required activities for every Scholar. (Mentors are encouraged to attend.)
• Identify a research topic.  If the applicant is a newly entering doctoral student, the gerontological research project to be undertaken as the doctoral dissertation must be identified by the beginning of the second year of funding and the school must describe potential strategies for securing continued support that will enable the applicant to complete their doctoral program. In the case of applicants already enrolled, the research topic must be identified in the application.
  
  The selected school of nursing is a significant consideration in the application review and selection process. Therefore, changes in venue during the scholarship require petition, review and approval by the Program Director.

Criteria Considered in Selection of Scholars

Strong applications will demonstrate all of the following.

Applicant

• Evidence of commitment to a career in academic gerontological nursing
• Potential to contribute to the knowledge base in gerontological nursing in significant ways over time
• Leadership potential
• Evidence of involvement in educational, research and professional activities

Proposed Professional Development Plan and Research Area

• The clarity and thoroughness of the proposed professional development plan tailored to meet the goals of the potential scholar including the program of study, and the clarity and feasibility of the proposed timeline
• Significance of the study area and proposed research project to improving the health and well-being of older adults and their caregivers
• The quality, feasibility and innovativeness of the proposed research area if the applicant is far enough along in his or her doctoral program to include a description of the proposed research
  

• The qualifications of the faculty mentor/advisor 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 primary mentor’s agreement to participate in the annual Leadership Conference when possible.
• Evidence of school’s commitment to the applicant’s academic career and professional development during the applicant’s scholarship period
• Evidence of plans for continued support to ensure completion of doctoral program after grant term ends.
• If the applicant is employed and plans to continue employment during the scholarship period, a letter from their employer indicating how the applicant’s workload will be reduced to .5FTE or less to permit full time study.
  

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.