SGP introduces the SGP Traveling
Scholar Award Program. The
principal mission of the program is to provide a unique opportunity
for a graduate or undergraduate department (or training program) to
host a prominent visiting physiologist in order to promote
education and research in cell and molecular physiology. During
the visit, the invited speaker will engage students and other junior scientists with the purpose of exposing them to cutting-edge technology and experimental strategies, as well as to potential careers in teaching and research. In addition, the award is
intended to recognize the excellence of the visiting scientist’s
research program.
Selected departments/training programs will receive $2,200 toward expenses for hosting the speaker. In addition,
the speaker will be awarded a $300 honorarium.
Eligibility Criteria
- The SGP Traveling Scholar Award Program is intended to
provide a unique opportunity for the host department/program. Thus,
preference will be given to departments/programs
that can infrequently host high-profile members of
the scientific community.
- Both the applicant (i.e., the primary representative of
the department/ academic program) and the nominated
speaker must be SGP members in good standing (click
here to become a member). Applications
may be submitted by faculty, postdoctoral fellows or graduate
students.
- Programs (and speakers) not previously having been awarded
an SGP Traveling Scholar Award will be given
primary consideration. Timely
submission of the previous visit report (detailed below)
will be weighed significantly by the SGP Council when considering
applications from programs previously receiving an SGP
Traveling Scholar Award.
Application Process
In order to apply:
- Departments/academic programs should submit
an application form via email to sgp@mbl.edu. It
is recommended that the nominated speaker be confirmed with
regard to his/her availability prior to submission
of the application. The application must include
a detailed plan of the visit, focusing on the value of
the experience for students and post-doctoral trainees.
- Upon notification of selection by the SGP Council, the
department/
program will then contact the nominated speaker
to confirm and coordinate details of the visit.
- Following confirmation of the speaker’s availability,
the department/
program should contact the SGP office with
a letter outlining the visit itinerary. Upon final
confirmation of the award by the SGP council, the SGP office
will send a check for $2,200 in order to defray the speaker’s
travel, lodging and dining expenses. The honorarium
will be mailed directly to the speaker following the visit
(see below).
Application deadlines
February 1st and September 1st
Selection Process
Awards will be made on a semiannual basis with the number
of awards being dependent on the strength of the applicant
pool and available funding. Applications will be reviewed
by the SGP Council at the semiannual meetings in September and March, with notification
of award(s) following shortly thereafter. Successful
applications will also be announced on the SGP website.
Planning a Lecturer's Visit
The visit should be two to three days in duration, allowing
time for a formal seminar presentation and a second informal “chalk-talk” aimed
at discussing innovative physiological techniques and experimental
strategies employed specifically in the speaker’s laboratory
and in the field in general. Other activities (e.g.
poster sessions, workshops, break-out sessions, etc) are to
be determined at the discretion of the department/program,
but should focus on promoting the exchange of ideas, stimulating
future trainee research, and furthering the implementation
of innovative physiological approaches within the department/training
program. A well-constructed and detailed description
of the planned visit—in particular how the visit will
promote exposure of students and post-doctoral trainees to cutting-edge physiological
research—is an important criterion for the award.
Conditions and Responsibilities
Award recipients must meet the following conditions and responsibilities:
- The speaker honorarium accounts for $300
of the total $2,500 award. The balance ($2,200)
will be earmarked for travel and other expenses (hotel,
meals, program materials and activities, etc) associated with
the visit. Departments/ programs
will be responsible for all expenses beyond this amount. Checks
written by SGP will be made payable to the affiliated institution.
- The department/program will be responsible for coordinating
all travel arrangements, securing lodging, scheduling a
lecture room, etc.
- On all event advertising, the sponsorship of the “Society
of General Physiologists Traveling Scholar Award Program” must
be indicated in print and by display of the SGP
logo.
- Submission of the visit report (see below).
Report Submission
Following the lecture, the department/program must provide
SGP with an SGP Traveling Scholar Award Program report. This
report will be due no later than one month after the conclusion
of the visit and will be posted on the SGP website. The
completed report should describe:
- The focus of the visit (i.e., reasons for inviting the
selected speaker) and specific benefits of the program to
the department.
- The audience.
- The title of the formal seminar.
- The topic of the chalk-talk.
- Meetings with junior scientists.
- Social activities (e.g., receptions, poster session, repasts,
etc.).
Submission of pictures of the visit via email (sgp@mbl.edu) to be posted on the SGP
website is encouraged. The report will also include
a concise two-paragraph summary of the visit to be included
in the SGP newsletter. As stated above, prompt submission
of the report is required for future participation in the program.
Cancellations
If a department/academic program receives a check
but the lecture is postponed, the department/academic program
has 90 days to reschedule the visit. If this proves impossible, the department/academic program must return the original check
to the SGP office or make payment to SGP for the full amount of the award. Pending
return of said monies, the department/ academic program will again become eligible
for the next award cycle.
Further information
For further information concerning eligibility and conditions
of the award, please contact the SGP office via email (sgp@mbl.edu)
or telephone (508)-540-6719.
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