Detailed Instructions

Please review instructions before completing the application, and refer to them when necessary

Eligibility

Verify your Eligibility [1]

All applicants must:

1. Be nominated by the Dean of a School or Chair of the biomedical engineering department at their current or most recent degree granting institution.
2. Be U.S. citizens or have U.S. permanent residency.
3. Have language ability to carry out proposed project in the host country at the time of departure.

Deadlines

January 24, 2011 for the 2011/12 academic year.

Grants must begin between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.

Where to Send the Application

You must submit all application materials (except transcripts and letter of support from host institutions) online and in hard copy. Transcripts and letter(s) of support must be submitted in hard-copy only.

Hard copy materials should be mailed to:

Whitaker International Awards Competition
US Student Programs
Institute of International Education
809 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017

A Complete Application Includes:

• Application Form *
• Motivation and Personal Experiences Essay (1 page) *
• Previous Research Experience Essay (2 pages) *
• Proposed Plan of Study, Internship and/or Research (2 pages) *
• Future Plans Essay (1 page) *
• Foreign Language Report *
• Dean of a School or Chair of Biomedical Engineering Department Nomination Letter *
• Three Letters of Reference *
• One set of Official Transcripts from all Post-Secondary Degree Granting Institutions
• Letter of Support from Overseas Host Institution

Completing the Application

The application must be completed using the online form [2].

Project Host Country: Multi-country proposals are not acceptable. However, if you are applying to different programs in different countries, please list each country. Applications to Canada will not be accepted.

Award Category: Select either Fellow or Scholar. (See Eligibility Requirements. [3])

Mailing Address: Your mailing address MUST be valid until April 30, 2011. If you need to change your address before or after this date please send an email to whitaker@iie.org [4].

(GPA) Grade Point Average: Please indicate the cumulative GPA for each degree received. ALL GPA's must be listed here on a 4-point scale.

Honors/Awards/Fellowships/Extra-Curricular Activities: Using the space provided (do not attach additional sheets), please list any honors, awards, fellowships and/or extra-curricular activities that you have received or participated in.

Project Title: Please limit the title to a maximum of 12 words.

Abstract: Using the space provided (do not attach additional sheets), provide an abstract of your project proposal.

Proposed Start date: This can be any time between July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012.

Fellow grant lengths are expected to be approximately one academic year in length (as defined by the academic calendar of the host country, but typically 9-12 months).

Scholar grants are typically one academic year in length, but can be as short as one academic semester, and as long as two academic years (for use in post-doctoral research fellowships). Applications should justify the length of time based on how it would benefit the applicant, the activity, and the field of BME.

Proposed Host Institution: List the institution/university/organization(s) in the host country with whom you intend to affiliate.

Proposed Program: List the program of study (if relevant) that you will pursue at your proposed host institution(s). If you will do an internship, then state "Internship"; if you will do independent research, then state "Independent Research"; if you will work as part of a research team then state "Team Project"; if you will pursue course work, then state "Course Work".

Essays and Forms

Essays

Four essays are required. Do not exceed the page limit noted for each essay. Text should be formatted for single spaced using standard 11-12 point font, and 1-inch margins, and submitted through the online application.

Include your name and type of essay (i.e. motivation and personal experiences) at the top of each essay.

Dean of a School or Chair of Biomedical Engineering Department Nomination

A nomination from an applicant's Dean of a school or Chair of the biomedical engineering department is required.

• The Dean or Chair's nomination cover letter must be submitted online through the application form.
• A signed letter of nomination (on institutional letterhead), preferably with substantive information about the applicant, is expected to accompany the cover letter.
• The signed cover letter and nomination letter must be included in the hard-copy application package, in a sealed envelope signed across the flap.

References

Three references are required. It is recommended that all references be from academics or professionals in biomedical engineering or a closely related field. If an applicant has attended more than one academic institution, references may be included from prior institutions.

For each reference:

• The reference cover letter must be submitted online through the application form.
• A signed letter of recommendation (on institutional letterhead), with substantive information about the applicant, is expected to accompany the cover letter.
• The signed cover letter and recommendation letter must be included in the hard-copy application package, in a sealed envelope signed across the flap.

Foreign Language Report

A foreign language report is necessary for applicants to those countries in which the use of a foreign language is necessary to carry out the project and to survive living in a foreign environment. If use of a foreign language is not necessary for the completion of the grant activity, nor for survival in a foreign environment, this form is not necessary.

• If applicable, foreign language reports should be submitted online through the application form.
• A signed copy of the language report form should be submitted with the application in the hard-copy application package.

Transcripts

An official transcript from each of an applicant’s degree awarding institution(s) must be submitted, including the current institution. The transcripts should reflect a complete post-secondary academic record.

• Original transcripts must be mailed in hard-copy, in a sealed envelope, to the Whitaker Program at the above address.

Letter(s) of Support from Host Institution(s)

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.

• Letter(s) of Support must be mailed in hard-copy to the Whitaker Program at the above address.

Submitting the Application

•  Once the electronic application is submitted, you will be able to print your application package. You cannot complete the electronic application until you have designated references.
• All parts of the hard copy application must be submitted simultaneously in one package. A single hard copy of all documents is all that is needed.
• No faxed or emailed applications will be accepted.
• IIE cannot acknowledge the receipt of applications or other documents. If you want to be certain that your application packet was received at IIE, then send it by a method that will provide return receipt.
• Once submitted, application materials cannot be returned.

REMEMBER TO SIGN YOUR APPLICATION

Notification

Applicants will be notified by email and mail by end of March - early April 2011 of the competition’s results.

If you must withdraw your application at any point in the competition, please notify IIE immediately.