Applications

Eligibility

The Institute is directed to STEM faculty who teach undergraduate courses at community colleges, 4-year colleges, and research universities and who consider themselves true beginners when it comes to understanding and using bioinformatics tools. Preference will be given to faculty with limited or no previous training in bioinformatics and the genomic sciences.

Participation in the Institute is by application. Applicants must be (i) currently teaching full time at U.S.-accredited institutions of higher education and (ii) U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents.

Selection Criteria

Applications are required for participating in the Institute. Individuals will be selected based upon evidence of the following:

• Personal commitment to improve undergraduate STEM education

• Personal and institutional commitment to advance undergraduate research and interdisciplinary training

• Institutional commitment to the future development of bioinformatics/genomics modules or stand-alone courses

Efforts will be made to select a cohort that represents (i) diversity in the life sciences, (ii) diversity by institutional type, (iii) ethnic and racial diversity, and (iv) geographical diversity. Special consideration will be given to institutions serving significant numbers of students that are traditionally underrepresented in the sciences.

Once applicants have been accepted and have confirmed their participation in the Institute, they will be required to pay registration fees. Registrants will assume their own travel and hotel expenses.

Application Guidelines

Applications must include:

1. 2009 Spring Bioinformatics Application Form

2. 2009 Spring Bioinformatics Institutional Form

3. Curriculum vitae, limited to two pages and containing information relevant to the program

4. Statement confirming applicant's availability to participate in all aspects of the Spring Bioinformatics Institute:

• Spring Bioinformatics Institute, March 11 to 14, 2009, Washington, DC

 

• Pre- and post-Institute readings and assignments

• Follow-up session at the ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators in 2010

• Poster presentation at the ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators within two years of completing the 2009 Institute

• Submission of a curriculum resource to MicrobeLibrary within 3 years of completing the 2009 Institute

• Bioinformatics Scholars listserv community

 

• Five-year tracking of your professional development by ASM

 

5. Proposal with applicant name and institution in header (limit responses to five double-spaced, numbered pages):

• Description of teaching responsibilities in the previous three years, including course titles and levels and number and types of students (biology majors, microbiology majors, nursing/allied health, biotechnology, nonscience majors, etc.) enrolled

 

• List of professional development activities in the previous three years. Describe the goal, length, and nature of these activities

 

• Description of your professional goals for attending the Institute. Be sure to describe any future research projects that may benefit from the inclusion of bioinformatics/genomics training. Describe how training will benefit undergraduate students and be incorporated at the institution

 

• Description of outreach activities in the previous three years, including the number and types of people reached
  

6. A letter of support from an institutional administrator advocating the applicant's participation in the program and detailing the infrastucture and institutional support available to the applicant to incorporate bioinformatics and genomic sciences into the curriculum. The letter should also describe plans to expand the applicant's work across the undergraduate curriculum in order to encourage interdisciplinary training on campus and regionally or nationally.

Please note: The Institute is directed to STEM faculty who teach undergraduate courses at community colleges, 4-year colleges, and research universities and who consider themselves true beginners when it comes to understanding and using bioinformatics tools. Preference will be given to faculty with limited or no previous training in bioinformatics and the genomic sciences.

Preparing the Application Packet

When preparing the application packet, start by completing the application and institutional forms using the links below. Complete and print a copy of these forms. Attach the two forms to the supporting documents and essays, and make five copies of the entire packet.

Application Form

Institutional Form

Only one sealed support letter is needed. Complete packets must be postmarked on or before November 15, 2008. Incomplete packets will be returned for more information and could delay processing. Send complete packet to:

ASM-JGI Bioinformatics Institute
Education Department
American Society for Microbiology
1752 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036-2904

Questions about the application process should be directed to Michelle Godinez, Coordinator, Education Programs and Events at mgodinez@asmusa.org.

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