The Whitaker International Grant Program in Bioengineering for U.S. Citizens 2017

Publish Date: Dec 28, 2016

Deadline: Dec 31, 2016

About the Program 

The Whitaker International Program sends emerging leaders in U.S. biomedical engineering (or bioengineering) overseas to undertake a self-designed project that will enhance their careers within the field.  The goal of the program is to assist the development of professional leaders who are not only superb scientists, but who also will advance the profession through an international outlook. Along with supporting grant projects in an academic setting, the Whitaker International Program encourages grantees to engage in policy work and propose projects in an industry setting.

REQUIREMENTS

If you meet the following requirements, one or more of the Whitaker International Programs may be right for you.

You must:

  • Have U.S. citizenship OR be a permanent legal resident of the U.S.
  • Be in the field of biomedical engineering/bioengineering or a closely-related field (Chemical, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering with substantive interest and background in Biomedicine).*
  • At the time of your grant start date, be no more than 3 years from the receipt of your most recent degree, or be currently enrolled.
    Example:  If you are applying for the 2015-16 award, the earliest you can start your grant is July 1, 2015 so if you are not currently enrolled, your last degree should have been awarded no earlier than June 30, 2012.
  • Have language ability to carry out the proposed project in the host country at the time of departure.

Please visit the specific programs for detailed eligibility requirements.

INELIGIBILITY

The following are not eligible for consideration:

  • Foreign-nationals
  • For Fellows, applicants holding a doctoral degree at the time of application.
  • Anyone who has resided in the host country of the proposed grant project, for more than 6 months prior to grant start date (study abroad experience during undergraduate does not count).  Preference is given to applicants who are proposing to do grant project in a country where they have not had an extensive experience.

AWARD BENEFITS

The Whitaker International Fellows and Scholars Program offers a stipend commensurate with the recipient’s experience and expected expenses in the host country.

  • Round-trip international airfare
  • A monthly living stipend to commensurate with cost of living in host country
  • Health & Accident insurance
  • Travel Enhancement Fund
  • Enrichment Seminar in Europe
  • Fellows Only: Tuition (and bench fees) reimbursement, capped at US$10,000 (regardless of country of exchange or exchange rate). Individual reimbursement amounts are determined by the Whitaker Program at the time of grant award

ADDITIONAL GRANTS OR SCHOLARSHIPS
You are required to by the grant terms report any additional grants or scholarships that you have been awarded for the same time period as your Whitaker Grant. In most cases, we are able to work with you to ensure that you receive maximum benefits. Failure to report additional grants or funding will result in the revocation of your grant. Duplicate funding is not allowable under your Whitaker Grant. 

GRANT START DATE

Awards typically begin between August 1st and October 1st, but may begin as early as July 1 of the competition year, and as late as June 30 of the following year, as long as the start date allows the grantee sufficient time to complete the required grant length requirements. Fellows must complete an academic year length grant; Scholars must complete a semester or year length grant. Grantees cannot be in their host country or host institution for more than 6 months prior to starting the grant (i.e. if you plan to start your grant in the UK on July 1, 2017 and you have already been living there in 2017, you are ineligible).

APPLICATION  

Applications must be completed and submitted electronically by the third Tuesday in January. This is the "received by" and not the postmarked deadline.  All components of the application including online and hard copy materials MUST be RECEIVED by the deadline.  The application is submitted online which includes the biographical information, essays, resume, recommendations.  Hard copy materials include the letter of support from the overseas host institution and transcripts.  The application does not need to be mailed in, only the letter of support and transcripts need to be mailed. Failure to follow submission instructions may disqualify an applicant.

SUPPLEMENTAL FORMS

The below forms are required components of a complete application, and must be submitted online, except as noted.  

  • Nomination by the Dean of a School or Chair of Biomedical Engineering   Note: if your major is not BME, the Chair of your department can provide the Nomination.
  • Resume
  • Three Letters of Reference  in addition to the nomination
  • Foreign Language Report (if applicable)
  • Host Institution Letter of Support*
    A complete application requires a Letter of Support from an in-country host institution or supervisor. This should be submitted on institutional letterhead. However, in the event that you are applying for a degree program where it is not possible to obtain a letter of acceptance by the Whitaker Program’s deadline, then a letter of support from a faculty member within the relevant department at the proposed institution is recommended.
  • Official Transcripts from all degree institutions for both Fellows and Scholars*

Please note, funding for the Whitaker Undergraduate Program and the Whitaker Summer Program has been discontinued. The Undergraduate program offered its final awards for Fall 2014 and will not be accepting applications for Spring 2015 and beyond. The Summer Program offered its final awards for Summer 2016 and will not be accepting applications for Summer 2017 and beyond. 

Whitaker International Program Coming to an End: December 2018
IIE has had the privilege of administering the Whitaker International Program for over 10 years. The Whitaker Foundation initiated this program shortly before closing in 2006, and provided funding to IIE to operate the program for at most 15 years.  Accordingly, IIE will administer the program until the end of 2018.  

2017 will be the last competition cycle for the awards.  Applications for 2-year awards will need to be made by the 2016 deadline, while applications for 1-year or shorter awards will be accepted through the 2017 deadline.  All awards and payments will terminate by Dec 31, 2018.

* NOTE: If you are at an institution that does not offer a formalized BME program, you should have a demonstrated commitment to the field of BME. Significant coursework, research, laboratory/work experience are some of the ways to demonstrate such commitment.

For more information click "Further official information" below.


This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

http://www.whitaker.org/

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Disciplines

Biology

Biotechnology

Engineering

Opportunity Types

Grants

Eligible Countries

United States