Overview

Program Description

The NCRE Scholars Program helps Scholars transition to the next stage of their research careers. Common and Tailored activities are designed to help Scholars achieve this goal. Common Activities will involve all Cohort 10 Scholars and help develop essential research skills and build a network of collaborators and colleagues. Tailored Activities address the specific needs of each Scholar as articulated in Tailored Career Development Plans (TCDPs) co-created by each Scholar and their mentor(s) upon acceptance into the program.

Common Activities

All Cohort 10 Scholars will participate in the following:

*Scholars will serve as mentors to students in the STaRS program

Tailored Activities

Each Scholar will work with Drs. Sarche and Whitesell to develop a Tailored Career Development Plan (TCDP). Each Scholar’s TCDP will include at least one writing goal – either the publication of a research paper or the submission of a grant application. For postdoctoral Scholars, this may include preparing a full application for submission (e.g., a K award or R series) or developing a strategic plan for peer-review publication to build a portfolio that will support an application within two years of completing the NCRE Scholars program. Predoctoral Scholars may focus writing efforts on a manuscript for peer-review publication (for example, tied to their dissertation work) or on developing a predoctoral fellowship application (e.g., F31). The individualized writing goals will form the basis for each Scholar’s activities during the Intensive Writing Retreats and are expected to be completed within 18 months of beginning the program. 

In addition to the specific writing goals, each Scholar will be able to select TCDP activities that support their career development. Examples include:

1. Participating in training related to career development goals (e.g., statistical or methodological training)
2. Traveling to a research mentor's lab or institution, and/or to an AIAN community with whom the mentor works, to participate in data collection or analysis, meeting with other research team members and community collaborators, attending a tribal research advisory board meeting, etc.
3. Attending and presenting research at an additional relevant national research conference (e.g., Society for Research on Child Development, Society for Research on Adolescence, American Psychological Association Division 45/The Society for the Psychology Study of Ethnic Minority Issues, etc.)
   

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include early career investigators, including junior faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and late-stage doctoral students in psychology, sociology, public health, social work, anthropology, education, or related disciplines. 

All applicants must intend to pursue a research career focused on substance use and disorder and Native child and adolescent development. Application materials should reflect this intent and focus.

Application Materials

Items to be submitted by applicants:

• Completed application form
• Curriculum vitae
• Personal statement (limit 500 words) highlighting previous research experience and career goals; describing how career goals align with NCRE's mission to support research on substance use and disorder and Native child and adolescent development
• Concept proposal for paper or grant application (1-2 pages) describing a manuscript for publication or a grant application that would be developed and submitted with NCRE Scholars program support. The proposal should be clear in its link to research on substance use and disorder and Native child and adolescent development
• Two letters of reference by professors, supervisors, or colleagues who can speak directly to the applicant's research potential (these should be submitted directly, by the referrer, to Caitlin Howley)

To be submitted by individuals providing reference letters:

• Two individuals – professors, supervisors, or colleagues who can speak to applicant’s research potential – should submit letters of reference directly to Caitlin Howley

Questions?