Postdoc Research Grant Competition

Postdocs, are you desperate to become a more independent researcher? Are you in need of more grant writing experience? Compete to win a 10K research grant in the Comm Lab Postdoc grant writing contest

The ChemE Communications Lab is proud to announce the first call for applications for a mini research grant for all postdocs affiliated with MIT ChemE through a faculty advisor. This year’s call is a pilot for an annual program and is generously supported by our department head, Professor Paula Hammond.

Please RSVP and join us on Thursday, June 27 from 2:30–4:00 p.m in 66-110 for a grant-writing workshop. Participation is open to all postdocs, but required of applicants. Explore our pitch deck for a snapshot of the program’s goals and learn more about how to apply or review applications below.

How to Participate

RSVP for our kick-off grant-writing workshop on June 27, 2019 from 2:30-4pm in 66-110; participation is mandated for all applicants but open for all postdocs in the MIT ChemE community; please RSVP if you are interested but are not available on that date so we can send an online version of the training for you to complete.
Come-up with an innovative research idea to be worked on over the upcoming academic year here at MIT that aligns with your long-term strategic goals as an independent researcher and would benefit from a 10K seed grant.
Write a compelling 2-3 page research proposal with support by the ChemE Comm Lab; one appointment for 1:1 coaching is mandated for all applicants; coaching by skype is permitted; coaching during the early phase of developing the proposal is often beneficial and therefore highly encouraged.
Submit your proposal by July 25, 2019 at 10pm EDT as a single pdf file by email to Caitlin Stier cstier@mit.edu.

Important Milestones

Become a Peer-reviewer

We believe that giving postdocs the opportunity to be part of the selection process is great training for their future career and we are therefore excited to include 2 or 3 postdocs in the committee along with 2 faculty members and 2-3 Communications Fellows.

As a peer-reviewer, you commit to the following: 1) you cannot enter the award competition, 2) you will participate in the workshop online or in person, and 3) you will be available to review proposals in the two to three weeks following the application close on Thursday, July 25.

We anticipate there will be three committee meetings: one in July to develop the evaluation rubric, one in August to select candidates for oral presentations, and one in late August to make the final selection. If you are traveling during those times you could probably also participate via Skype.

If you are interested, contact the Comm Lab manager, Caitlin Stier.