Seeking Qualified Mentees for
APA Mentorship Program for
Doctoral-Level Researchers Interested in
HIV/AIDS and Communities of Color
The American Psychological Association (APA) Office on AIDS seeks qualified mentees to participate in a two-year, distance-learning, mentorship program designed to prepare doctoral-level behavioral and social scientists for careers as independent researchers in the area of HIV/AIDS and communities of color. This new program entitled, Cyber Mentors, utilizes state-of-the-art distance learning technologies (e.g., webcasts, online classrooms, etc.) to assist mentees achieve three major goals:
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develop and implement a career development plan focused on building the capacity to conduct independent research in the area of HIV/AIDS and communities of color;
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conceptualize, draft, and submit a high-quality research application to an appropriate NIH funding mechanism; and,
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establish a mutually supportive network of professional colleagues with common research interests.
Applications must be received by no later than close of business on June 15, 2009.
The Cyber Mentors program, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), matches early career mentees with mentors who are leaders in the field of HIV/AIDS research with strong track records of receiving NIH-supported grants.
Mentoring is conducted through regular interactions over the internet and phone and at annual in-person meetings. In addition to one-on-one mentoring, mentees participate in monthly, interactive, web-based seminars that address various research, methodological, and administrative topics relevant to research careers in HIV/AIDS. Mentees also participate in small-group, research-development sessions. These online, small-group sessions focus on the application of concepts to research proposals of mentees. Mentees also participate in a series of mock reviews where research proposals are reviewed, scored, and discussed at length.
Mentee/mentor pairs have the opportunity to apply for up to $5,000 to support research or career development activities (e.g., preliminary data collection, attending additional conferences, etc).
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
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Must have demonstrated interest in pursuing a career as an independent researcher in the area of HIV/AIDS and communities of color;
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Must have completed a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in behavioral or social science (e.g., psychology, public health, sociology, anthropology, social work, etc.) or an MD;
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Must be employed in a position that permits submission of independent research grants on September 1, 2009;
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Must be affiliated with an institution that supports research grant applications;
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Must NOT have previously received an RO1 grant from NIH;
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Must NOT be currently participating in a research mentoring program;
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Must agree to participate in the ENTIRE two-year program; and,
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Must commit to developing and submitting a competitive grant application by the end of the two-year program.
A major purpose of this program is to increase the number of underrepresented scholars and researchers (i.e., African Americans, American Indians/Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, and Asians/Pacific Islanders) who pursue a career in the area of HIV/AIDS and minority communities.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must submit:
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A detailed curriculum vitae
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A letter from your institution indicating support for both your participation in the Cyber Mentor Program and your pursuit of funding for your HIV/AIDS-related research;
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A one-page statement (single-space, Arial 11 point, one-inch margins) that describes career objectives and provides a self-assessment (e.g., strengths and weaknesses) of the applicant’s current capacity to function as an independent researcher in the area of HIV/AIDS and communities of color (the self-assessment should describe any previous or current participation in mentoring programs for researchers);
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A one-page statement (single-space, Arial 11 point, one-inch margins) that describes an HIV/AIDS-related research question of interest to the applicant. This statement should include:
- Title of the research
- Background and/or significance of the research
- Main objectives of the research
- Proposed research methods
- Potential implications of anticipated findings.
Applications must be received no later than close of business on
June 15, 2009.
Selections decisions will be made by July 15, 2009.
Applications should be submitted electronically to:
Umra Omar, MA (Email)
For information call: 202-218-3596
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