Visiting Fellows

Faculty can apply or be nominated for this fellowship.

• Who can be nominated: Distinguished scholars or professionals (from academia, research institutions, industry, non profits, or government) whose expertise aligns with the mission of the Picker ISI and who will collaborate with Colgate faculty on interdisciplinary research.
• Who may nominate: Colgate faculty may nominate candidates. The Picker ISI may also directly invite exceptional researchers whose work presents unique opportunities for Colgate.
   

• Clear rationale for integrating at least two distinct disciplines and description of how the fellow would complement Colgate faculty expertise.
• Work that clearly supports the Picker ISI mission and goals.
• A concrete residency outline (activities by week or milestone-based), with roles for the fellow, faculty collaborators, and students.
• Strong track record and potential for scholarly outcomes and external funding proposals.
• Student involvement that enhances interdisciplinary learning and raises student awareness of the University’s interdisciplinary science programs.
• Quality and accessibility of proposed public event(s).
• Projects should have the potential for sustained impact beyond institute funding (e.g., peer-reviewed publications, external grant funding, or an ongoing contribution to the curriculum).
   

• Stipend: Fellow compensation during the residency.
• Materials and supplies: Research consumables, minor software licenses, small equipment under typical purchasing thresholds, workshop supplies.
• Travel and living expenses: Round-trip transportation, local transit, lodging, and per diem during the visit.
   

Please contact the director if you have questions about additional funding categories that are not listed here.

Write for a broad interdisciplinary audience. Be clear, concise, and concrete. Incomplete applications will not be considered. To ensure fairness, the use of generative AI tools is not permitted in the preparation of this proposal.

Proposals should include:

1. Candidate background, less than 250 words: Overview of the nominee’s expertise and major accomplishments.
2. Proposed activities and work plan, less than 1,000 words: Project aims and interdisciplinary rationale; residency plan (week-by-week or milestone schedule), methods and anticipated outputs; roles of the fellow, Colgate faculty, and students; public event plans with title/topic ideas and audience, and a student engagement plan that includes format, frequency, and expected learning outcomes for student participation (mentored research, workshops, seminars).
3. Impact statement, less than 250 words: How the residency will benefit Colgate’s interdisciplinary scientific research and teaching community; potential for sustained collaboration and external proposals. Must support Picker ISI's mission and goals.
4. Detailed budget: Itemize by category using actual costs; tie each line to the plan. View the Colgate grant budget guidelines, and use actual costs.
5. CV of fellow, two to three pages: SciENcv or similar format that includes personal and professional information such as education, employment, scientific appointments, honors, grants, publications, research products, and synergistic activities. Must support Picker ISI's mission and goals.
6. Supporting letters or other documents, not to exceed five pages. A commitment letter from the Picker ISI Fellow candidate is required.
7. Colgate faculty sponsor(s), less than 250 words: Name(s), department(s), and program(s), and brief statement describing fit with ongoing work and departmental support (e.g., space, student matchmaking). 

Materials should be prepared by the faculty sponsor and visiting fellow, then uploaded by the faculty sponsor.

Formatting tips: Use Times New Roman, 12-pt font with standard margins. (References are separate.) Single-spaced text is acceptable, provided it has clear headings. Combine all materials into a single PDF, if possible.

• Nominations are reviewed by the Picker ISI Executive Advisory Committee.
• The Executive Advisory Committee may prioritize projects that support the institute's mission and goals the most, and those of faculty members who have not received this award in recent years.
• Awards are subject to University policies and procedures (travel, purchasing, reimbursement).
• Any research approvals (e.g., IRB, IACUC, biosafety) are the responsibility of the faculty sponsor(s) and visiting fellow, and should be obtained before relevant activities.
• Changes to scope, budget allocations within the stated caps, or residency dates require prior approval from the Picker ISI director.

• Within two months of completing the residency, the Colgate faculty sponsor(s) should submit a one- to two-page final report summarizing goals and outcomes; collaborative products (papers in preparation, proposals, datasets, prototypes); student participation and outcomes; public engagement activities; and next steps.
• Fellows and sponsors are asked to acknowledge Picker ISI support in related presentations and publications. Sample language: “This work was supported by the Picker Interdisciplinary Science Institute Visiting Fellow Program at Colgate University.”