The Foundation’s research grants provide support for research on Chinese Studies in the humanities and social sciences. Scholars focusing on the social, cultural, economic or political development of Taiwan over the past few decades are strongly encourage to apply for this research grant.
Please see the solicitation for additional information.
DLS supports fundamental research that increases our understanding of cognitive, linguistic, social, cultural, and biological processes related to children’s and adolescents’ development and learning. Research supported by this program will add to our basic knowledge of how people learn and the underlying developmental processes that support learning, with the objective of leading to better educated children and adolescents who grow up to take productive roles as workers and as citizens.
Among the many research topics supported by DLS are: developmental cognitive neuroscience; development of higher-order cognitive processes; transfer of knowledge from one domain or situation to another; use of molecular genetics to study continuities and discontinuities in development; development of peer relations and family interactions; multiple influences on development, including the impact of family, school, community, social institutions, and the media; adolescents’ preparation for entry into the workforce; cross-cultural research on development and learning; and the role of cultural influences and demographic characteristics on development. Additional priorities include research that: incorporates multidisciplinary, multi-method, microgenetic, and longitudinal approaches; develops new methods, models, and theories for studying learning and development; and integrates different processes (e.g., learning, memory, emotion), levels of analysis (e.g., behavioral, social, neural), and time scales (e.g. infancy, middle childhood, adolescence).
This program supports Integrative Research Activities for Developmental Science (IRADS). The program currently is at its capacity for supporting such large-scale awards, and is therefore not considering new IRADS proposals at this point in time. The program is accepting proposals for individual investigator projects (average total budget of approximately $100,000 per year) and workshops/ small conferences (average total one-time budget of approximately $15,000).
Full proposal Due January 15, 2011 and July 15, 2011
The 2011 Nordic Research Opportunity is now available as a Supplemental Award, for NSF Graduate Research Fellows. The NSF, the Research Council of Norway (RCN), the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (TEKES), the Academy of Finland, the Danish National Research Foundation and the Swedish Research Council will support on a competitive basis research visits of 2-12 months or 3-12 months (country-specific) in Norway, Finland, Denmark and Sweden (new this year). This international research opportunity is intended to enrich the Graduate Research Fellows? experience through cooperative activities with leading Nordic scientists and institutions, thus enabling them to develop early-career collaborations with international research partners. Results of the research collaboration are expected to expand opportunities for innovation and add an international dimension to Fellow research projects. Interested NSF Graduate Research Fellows who have completed at least one year of graduate study and who are studying at U.S. institutions are encouraged to contact potential Nordic host institutions for detailed information on current research activities at that site. Please read the announcement (Dear Colleague Letter) on the NSF Website at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10073/nsf10073.jsp?org=DUE (also available as a link on the GRFP page, www.nsf.gov/grfp). The 2011 Supplement Request Deadline is January 14, 2011. Announcement of supplement awards will be made in early April, 2011.
If you have any questions, please contact Jodi Lehman (jglehman@mtu.edu).
by Wes Frahm, director of athletic communications and marketing
Michigan Tech will induct seven new members into its Sports Hall of Fame during induction ceremonies scheduled for Friday, Oct. 1.
The induction class of 2010 includes former hockey player Russ Becker, former men’s basketball and tennis player David Cvengros, former football coach Jim Kapp, former football player Walter Kyes, former volleyball player Rhonda Pruitt (Lockhart), former hockey player Jamie Ram and former men’s basketball player Matt Trombley.
The seven inductees will join the 179 members already in the Michigan Tech Sports Hall of Fame, which was started in 1985.
Below is a brief biography of Russ Becker, an alumnus of the Graduate School.
Russ Becker
Becker played defense for the hockey team from 1984-88. He played in 83 career games. The Virginia, Minn., native was part of a fourth-place team in the WCHA as a senior with a 19-15-1 record. After graduating with a degree in civil engineering, Becker remained with the hockey program as a graduate assistant coach and gained a master’s in civil engineering. Since leaving the University, he has remained heavily involved in Tech hockey. His contributions to Michigan Tech have been significant, and his gift in 2004 allowed Tech to purchase a hockey treadmill. Becker made another pledge in 2009 to aid in other improvements to the Student Ice Arena. Becker resides in St. Paul, Minn., and serves as president and CEO of APi Group, Inc.
More details about the other inductees can be found in Tech Today:
Excerpt from Tech Today.
by Jennifer Donovan, director of public relations
The University enrollment has topped projected numbers for the fall semester. Data reported to the state last night show that the public research university’s enrollment totaled 6,957, including 5,716 undergraduates and 1,241 graduate students.
Last fall, Michigan Tech’s total enrollment was 7,132, including 1,189 graduate students.
“We planned for total enrollment this fall of 6,900 and we exceeded that goal,” said Michigan Tech President Glenn D. Mroz. “We’re particularly pleased that emphasis on graduate enrollment continues to raise graduate student numbers to their highest level ever at Michigan Tech.”
Since 2007, Michigan Tech has intentionally been working to increase its proportion of graduate students, from 13 percent to 18 percent of the student body.
“The main factors affecting our expected undergraduate enrollment this year included an unusually large graduating class last year and the discontinuation of the Michigan Promise Grant,” Mroz said.
Les Cook, vice president for student affairs, agreed. “We know students and their families are struggling with increased costs, and in particular, the loss of the Michigan Promise Grant,” he said. “We saw the effect on our students last year, and we made up the difference in financial aid, essentially keeping the promise. We’re working with students one-on-one this year to make up the Promise Grant where needed, but we are simply not able to do that for everyone. That, I’m sure, has affected some students’ decisions about their university enrollment.”
Another factor in undergraduate enrollment may be an increase in tuition, based on an expected drop in state support, but “we have promised our Michigan resident students that if the state comes through with more money than we anticipated in our budget, we will provide a rebate on a portion of tuition,” Mroz said.
The diversity of the student body at Michigan Tech, including minorities and international students, increased to 20 percent. “Despite a sluggish economy, which tends to affect lower-income and minority students disproportionately, our numbers are up,” said Mroz. “I think that’s a testament to the intensive efforts we make to expose students from different backgrounds to Tech and to encourage them to seriously consider the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degree programs that are in high demand in the job market.” He mentioned University initiatives such as summer youth programs that recruit urban high school students, particularly in the Detroit area, and increases in financial aid.
Female enrollment also rose, from 25 to 26 percent.
The enrollment report showed that Tech’s average ACT score has risen more than one entire point, from 25.1 to 26.1, since 2005. With ACT scores ranging from 1 to 36, moving up a whole point reflects a significant increase in numbers of high-scoring entering students. Michigan’s average ACT score statewide this year was 19.7, and the national average was 21.
“The average ACT score is significant because a higher score indicates that Michigan Tech is attracting more high-achieving students and a broader array of students,” said Vice President Cook. The ACT score is also an important factor in US News rankings of colleges and universities.
“The increase in our average ACT score shows that smart students are drawn to other smart students,” added John Lehman, assistant vice president for enrollment.
The English ACT score of first-year students entering Michigan Tech has shown the most significant change over the years, rising from 23.7 in 2005 to 25.1 this year. Lehman attributed the rise to increasing numbers of students in the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science and the College of Sciences and Arts. “People are recognizing us for our strong programs in addition to engineering,” he said.
Published in Tech Today.
The Biotechnology Research Center (BRC) announces its fall 2010 travel grants, which provide financial assistance to Michigan Tech’s undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral scientists to present their research at scientific meetings.
The grants promote research and achievement in biotechnology. The awards are merit-based and are offered in the spring and fall each year.
To apply, complete the application form available at Biotechnology .
Send the application materials to Mary Tassava, staff assistant in BRC, at mltassav@mtu.edu .
Published in Tech Today.
His dissertation, “Development of Measurement and Modeling Techniques to Quantify Atmospheric Deposition of Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Chemicals in the Great Lakes” developed an improved method, analysis technique, and model, for measuring the concentrations of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic compounds in the atmosphere. These compounds impact the health of our ecosystem, and the safety of our food supply. Accurate measurements of these compounds in the atmosphere could yield better solutions to improve the environment. The measurement technology developed by Rowe and Perlinger is currently under consideration for patenting, with the potential for commercialization. Dr. Rowe is currently employed as a post-doctoral fellow for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and is based in lower Michigan.
Mark Griep was selected as a finalist in the competition. Dr. Griep was advised by Dr. Craig Friedrich and was awarded a PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics in 2009. His interdisciplinary research examined the properties of quantam dots coupled with an optical protein with potential uses as a biosensor in medical applications. Dr. Griep is currently continuing his research as an Associate Fellow at the US Army Research Laboratory.
The committee to evaluate the nominees consisted of graduate faculty representing a broad range of graduate programs: M. Neuman (Biomedical Engineering), S. Martin (Social Sciences), R. Froese (School of Forestry Resources & Environmental Science), X. Wang (School of Technology) and G. Campbell (School of Business and Economics). The next competition for Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Engineering or Social Sciences will occur in 2012 and will consider applicants who have completed their degrees between July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2012. In 2011, the competition will accept nominations from candidates who completed their dissertations between July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011 in the fields of biological sciences or humanities and fine arts. Please consider nominating your PhD graduates next year.
NASA Aeronautics Scholarship Program
NASA expects to award 20 undergraduate and five graduate scholarships to students in aeronautics or related fields. Undergraduate students entering their second year of study will receive up to $15,000 per year for two years and the opportunity to receive a $10,000 stipend by interning at a NASA research center during the summer.
Graduate students will receive up to $35,000 per year for up to three years, with an opportunity to receive a $10,000 stipend interning at a NASA research center for up to two consecutive summers.
Application deadline January 17, 2011
The East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI) goals are to introduce U.S. graduate students to East Asia and Pacific science and engineering in the context of a research setting, and to help students initiate scientific relationships that will better enable future collaboration with foreign counterparts. Selected students participate in research experiences at host laboratories in Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, or Taiwan. All institutes, except Japan, last approximately 8 weeks from June to August. Japan lasts approximately 10 weeks from June to August.
The application is now available.
If interested in applying, please contact Jodi Lehman (jglehman@mtu.edu)
Students planning on finishing a thesis or dissertation this semester or next semester are invited a seminar designed to help students understand current procedures, the new procedures, and answer student questions.
Join Debra Charlesworth on September 9th at 4:05pm to learn about the submission process from start to finish.
Faculty and staff who work with students completing a thesis or dissertation are also invited to attend.
Please register online for the event.
Once you register, you will receive a confirmation with the location and a reminder of the date and time. Space is limited, so register early!
If you are unable to join us, a taped version of this seminar is available online from our May 18th presentation.