We are pleased to announce the launch of the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Microcredential Series - a set of in-person workshops this fall. While we will still offer virtual RCR training in CITI, these new in-person discussion-based workshops are required for any individual receiving funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, postdocs, and faculty (see NIH guidance here). In order to meet NIH’s requirements for in-person RCR training, we have established these workshops as a series of microcredentials (also called “badges”) that lead to an overarching RCR “mega”credential.  It should be noted that UMBC requires all graduate students completing a master's thesis or doctoral degree, along with all postdoctoral research associates, to complete RCR training through either CITI or the new in-person RCR Microcredential Series. 

The NIH strongly emphasizes the requirement of substantial face-to-face discussions among all participants to ensure adequate preparation for ethical research. These workshops will include a blend of direct instruction, small-group discussions, and case studies, with active participation from faculty and staff instructors. While online courses can supplement your learning, they are not considered adequate as the sole method of instruction for responsible conduct of research.

All required NIH RCR topics are covered in a series of workshops that will be offered this fall. Each session is associated with an RCR Microcredential (“badge”) in a particular topic (e.g., animal care and use). Attendance and active participation are required to receive a microcredential for each workshop (participants must scan the QR code provided at the end of the workshop using their phone). This process ensures full participation. After completing a workshop, participants will receive their microcredential/badge specific to that session. Once all workshops in the series have been completed, participants will be awarded certification of completion of RCR training, a “mega”credential signifying that they have fully met the NIH's RCR training requirements.

No! Anyone (faculty, staff, undergraduate or graduate student, postdoctoral research associate) can attend the in-person workshops and earn the microcredentials/badges. 

This RCR series is being facilitated by Professor Daniel G. Jenkins, an applied ethics expert who is an instructor in our philosophy program. Each workshop session will be co-taught by an additional faculty member or staff with subject matter expertise. Jenkins has taught a range of applied ethics courses, including PHIL/PBHL 358: Bioethics, PHIL 251: Ethical Issues in Science and Engineering, and, since 2020, PHIL 359: Ethics and Integrity in Scientific Research for undergraduate students in STEM BUILD. From a previous career in science, which began while an undergraduate at UMBC, he gained experience in bench science and animal husbandry. He has co-authorships in the Journal of Radiation Research, Atherosclerosis, and the Journal of Experimental Medicine. He received BA’s in Philosophy and Psychology, a certificate in Biopsychology, and an MA in Applied and Professional Ethics from UMBC. He has taught in the Department of Philosophy since 2015.

All graduate students completing a master's thesis or doctoral degree, along with all postdoctoral research associates, are required to complete RCR training. Those that are not NIH funded can complete this requirement through virtual CITI training or the new in-person RCR Microcredential Workshops. However, the RCR Microcredential Series of in-person workshops is a requirement for anyone receiving funding from the NIH. Please check with the supervisor of your research or the coordinator of your program if you are unsure where your funding originates. 

Please note that each session may be held in different rooms or at different times within The Commons each Wednesday. Please check in with the MyUMBC GSPD group page links for locations and any potential changes to the schedule. MyUMBC GSPD Group Page: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/gspd 

If you have any questions, please contact: RCR@umbc.edu 

We look forward to your active participation and insightful contributions as we work together to uphold the highest standards of research integrity. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

Please see below a message from The UMBC Writing Center regarding recruitment of doctoral students to join the Graduate Peer Writing Consultants: 

"The UMBC Writing Center continues to support writers on campus through a research-based, peer-to-peer model. Peer tutors, themselves students at UMBC, support the writing students do for courses and for fulfillment of their degree programs. We recognize that our center predominantly serves undergraduate writers, and we understand the many ways that these writers and their contexts differ substantially from those of graduate-level writers. 

While some graduate writing support exists across programs at UMBC, more can be done to create an enduring network of mentorship through writing center programs. The writing centers at UMBC and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) have designed a pilot program to share resources for supporting the professional development and writing expertise of UMBC graduate writers. We need your help getting the word out to the students

who might want to work with us.

We are hiring UMBC graduate students, specifically doctoral students, to serve as Graduate Peer Writing Consultants (GPWCs). These GPWCs will tutor graduate writers at both UMBC and UMB, including those planning, writing, and revising theses and dissertations. GWCPs will undertake ongoing, rigorous training virtually and in-person at the UMB Writing Center in downtown Baltimore to develop their expertise in the practice and tutoring of advanced disciplinary writing. We have designed the position to accomplish three main

professional aims:

Encourage students to learn more and apply at www.umaryland.edu/writing.

Students and you can reach out to James Wright, Associate Director of the UMB Writing Center, at james.wright@umaryland.edu with any questions.

Please share the attached flyer widely.

Thank you for your time and help.

Best,

Elaine MacDougall

UMBC Academic Success Center|Director, Writing Center"

Photo by Thom Milkovic on Unsplash

Promoting a positive U.S. presence in the world that reflects and respects the strength and diversity of America.

The USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program seeks to attract outstanding individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). If you want to work on the front lines of some of the most pressing global challenges of our times —  injustice, climate change, health, conflict, and poverty - foreign policy interests and reflect the American people's compassion and support of human dignity. The Payne Fellowship, which provides up to $104,000 in benefits over two years for graduate school, internships, and professional development activities, is a unique pathway to the USAID Foreign Service.

Program Overview:

The Payne Fellowship Program awards up to 30 fellowships valued at up to $52,000 annually for a two-year program. The award includes up to $24,000 per year toward tuition and mandatory fees for completion of a two-year master’s degree at a U.S. institution; a $18,000 stipend for each academic year for room, board, books and other education-related expenses; and up to $10,000 per year in stipend, housing, transportation, and related expenses for summer placements. At the conclusion of two years of study, the Payne Fellow is expected to obtain a degree in international development or another area of relevance to the work of the USAID Foreign Service at a U.S. graduate or professional school approved by the Payne Program. Fellows who successfully complete the Payne Program and USAID Foreign Service entry requirements will receive appointments as Foreign Service Officers with the U.S. Agency for International Development.

The program expects to have all documents to be submitted electronically. Should applicants have insuperable problems submitting a document electronically, they can consult with program staff about alternate methods (paynefellows@howard.edu). However, we strongly encourage you to submit documents electronically.

Selection Process:

A panel of individuals with experience in the USAID Foreign Service and academia makes selections for the Payne Fellowship.  The selection panel will consider candidates’ academic work, statements of interest, letters of recommendation, and honors and awards, as well as their community, extracurricular, and leadership activities.  Consideration will be given to qualified applicants who, in addition to outstanding leadership skills and academic achievement, demonstrate financial need.

The Payne selection panel will choose finalists in the beginning of December 2024. Candidates selected for final consideration will be invited to participate in the virtual final-round interviews in mid-January.   The program will strive to complete the selection process and make offers to thirty fellows soon after the interview.

Applicants should carefully review the USAID Foreign Service requirements for medical and security clearances.  Participation in the Payne Program is conditional upon successful completion of pre-employment procedures specified by the U.S. Agency for International Development, including background investigations for a security clearance, medical examinations (to include spouse and eligible family members if applicable) and drug tests. Failure to meet medical and security requirements may result in an applicant’s disqualification from the fellowship program and reimbursement to the U.S. government of financial assistance paid in connection with the applicant’s education. 

We're excited to announce that applications for the SciComm Identities Project (SCIP) Fellowship are now open for the third and final cohort! Apply for this groundbreaking program designed for pre-tenure faculty of color by September 23rd, 2024.

WHAT: A year-long fellowship developed by University of Rhode Island’s Metcalf Institute, Michigan State University’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism, and the URI Science & Story Lab to develop your voice and skills as a science communicator through a variety of media, including podcasting! SCIP is designed to test a novel science communication training curriculum based in intercultural communication and culturally responsive pedagogy.

WHO: Pre-tenure faculty from underrepresented ethnic and racial backgrounds at U.S. academic institutions, who study issues related to climate change and agriculture, aquaculture, or food insecurity. We encourage applications from varied disciplines in social and natural sciences and engineering.

WHERE: Fellows are required to participate in two in-person, weeklong workshops held in January and July, as well as five virtual trainings throughout the year. Lodging expenses for the in-person workshops are pre-paid. Travel and per diem will be reimbursed. 

WHEN: Apply by September 23, 2024. The 2025 Fellowship runs January-December, 2025.

WHY: Access mentorship, peer community, resources, new networks, and the skills and confidence to communicate your work and its impact to the world. Level up in your storytelling - and your career - while learning how to craft a more compelling tenure narrative that communicates the value of science communication. Fellows receive a stipend of $5,000 for their commitment, split in two payments after the in-person workshops.

If selected, being a fellow will count towards your diversity credit for the Ͼ CIRTL certification. What is CIRTL?

Graduate Students & Postdocs,

Learn about the nationally recognized teaching certificates that can be earned from UMBC's Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL). It's never too early to work towards building your CV, particularly if you are considering a career in teaching/academia.

Earning these certifications is FREE for all UMBC graduate students & postdocs.

If you are interested in learning what this certification entails and how to begin to working towards it, please attend this virtual information session on Wednesday, August 21, at 11:30 AM.

In addition receive information about an opportunity to get teaching experience with our SEA CIRTL fellows program. This is a COMPETITIVE opportunity, last year we got more than 130 applicants for nine spots. 

As a SEA CIRTL Fellow, you’ll work with experienced faculty to design and implement a one-week course on a topic of your choice. Those who get selected get professional development to get the teaching certification, plus mentorship to create and teach their course during summer (Summer 2025) for middle schoolers or highschoolers and a stipend of $1,000 after they teach their class and get their certification.

Applications for the program open on August 30 and close on September 18, 2024. 

To learn more about CIRTL please visit https://gspd.umbc.edu/center-for-research-teaching-and-learning-cirtl/

This session will be recorded and uploaded to the Grad Student & Postdoc Development myumbc group, files tab. 

Postdocs have two options for sharing their work at the Postdoc Research Symposium: in a poster session or a five-minute flash talk. On this form, please indicate which format (either the poster presentation or flash talk) you would like to sign up for. Regardless of the format you choose, please submit an abstract summarizing the research you will be presenting at the Postdoc Research Symposium. Your abstract should be brief, clear, and concise. It should not exceed 300 words. If you have any questions, please reach out to Anne-Charlotte Mecklenburg at amecklen@umd.edu.

This training is free and provided by SciLine - American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 

DEADLINE EXTENDED!

Space is limited and open only to U.S.-based scientists with a doctoral-level degree or working as university faculty. Request a training slot in YOUR discipline area by August 15.

Graduate students considering postdoctoral training:

Are you considering continuing your training as a postdoc? Applications are now open for Stanford PRISM. PRISM is for graduate students from any field hoping to explore postdoctoral training at Stanford. PRISM candidates visit Stanford's campus to meet with faculty and current postdocs to consider whether Stanford is a good fit for their next step. Deadline August 20, 2024. Please see below for further details. 

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Applications are NOW OPEN for the November 2024 PRISM visit, deadline August 20, 2024.

#StanfordPRISM invites graduate students from all fields and backgrounds, especially those from the broad spectrum of identities that are underrepresented in academia, to consider Stanford for postdoctoral training. Stanford has one of the largest postdoc populations in the country and a strong commitment to helping postdocs succeed and thrive. Through PRISM, cohorts of students visit Stanford to interview with faculty, connect with current postdocs, and learn about postdoctoral training. 

Review our guidance on preparing a successful application and connecting with potential mentors, and contact the PRISM team at stanfordprism@stanford.edu if you have any questions. 

 

Apply today!