Career Proposal Preparation Gracious Ngaile, Assistant Professor Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering North Carolina State University

Career Proposal workshop, Columbia University, New York, May 24, 2005 Caution! The materials presented here are derived from personal observations. Ignore anything that does not make sense… or does not apply to the topic you are intending to work on.

Career Proposal workshop, Columbia University, New York, May 24, 2005 Career Proposal Vs Other NSF Proposals The items below play a significant role in Career proposal as well as other NSF proposals. Are these items addressed differently in Career proposals ? Format Vision Collaboration Theme PI expertise Review panel composition Broader impact Intellectual merits Education Etc

Career Proposal workshop, Columbia University, New York, May 24, 2005 Format : General Proposal General proposals may take the following format I: Project summary II: Introduction and Rationale III: Objectives IV: State of the art … V: Research approach VI: Tasks VII: Closure This format appear to be close to that used for journal papers, thesis or dissertation.

Career Proposal workshop, Columbia University, New York, May 24, 2005 Format : Career Proposal Unlike the general proposals, the format for career proposal may drastically change due to the fact that: We are preparing a career development plan that will build a firm foundation for a life time contribution of integrated research and education. The PI may need to propose a theme that requires multiple projects to be carried out. The PI may need to include data she/he had already generated. Education component takes a significant weight and need be integrated with research.

Career Proposal workshop, Columbia University, New York, May 24, 2005 Suggested Format : Career Proposal 1.Project Summary 2.Objectives and significant of integrated research and education 2.1 Objectives ( Should be elaborate to show your vision) 2.2 Significance of proposed work (should show current and future impacts of your proposed work) 3.Career Development Plan 4.Evaluation of Research and Education 5.Research and Teaching accomplishment, Collaborators, Broader Impacts.

Career Proposal workshop, Columbia University, New York, May 24, 2005 Suggested Format : Career Proposal 3. Career Development Plan State the major projects to be carried out in 5 year period and leave a clear indication that the proposed work will continue for along period time. ( it is not harmful to be a little bit ambitious ) 3.1 Project A: …… Introduction State-of-the-art PIs initial work on the subject Approach/Tasks to be carried out.

Career Proposal workshop, Columbia University, New York, May 24, 2005 Suggested Format : Career Proposal 3.2 Project B:…… Introduction State-of-the-art PIs initial work on the subject Approach/Tasks to be carried out. 3.3 Project C: Education Introduction State-of-the-art PIs initial work on the subject Approach/Tasks to be carried out. 4. Evaluation of Research and Education 5. Research and Teaching accomplishment, Collaborators, Broader Impacts.

Career Proposal workshop, Columbia University, New York, May 24, 2005 Vision The vision for a general proposal may not be that significant because the proposed work may last for a year, two years or at most three years. With Career proposal, the reviewers will be looking for the vision right at the very first pages of the proposal. Reflect your vision in the summary, objectives ( extended), and significant of your work sections.

Career Proposal workshop, Columbia University, New York, May 24, 2005 Theme/Topic Program directors are good source of information and may provide more inputs as to whether your topic fits their program. Since the program directors will not directly say No to any topic you are planning to propose, it is advisable to suggest a couple of topics and see their response pattern.

Career Proposal workshop, Columbia University, New York, May 24, 2005 Collaborators Collaborators should be carefully chosen to reflect the scope of work: You are building a firm foundation for a life time contribution of integrated research and education! If the trend in the global market economy is likely to affect/influence your career plan, it may be advisable to have both national and international collaborators.

Career Proposal workshop, Columbia University, New York, May 24, 2005 PI Expertise Explicitly showing your expertise in the proposed subject is advantageous. If applies ensure to include all relevant initial research data that you have so far gathered.

Career Proposal workshop, Columbia University, New York, May 24, 2005 Reviewer Composition Due to the nature of the Career proposal the reviewer composition is expected to be different from general proposals. The proposal should be written such that a diverse panel can understand. Lumping mathematical equations without clear explanations may be detrimental.

Career Proposal workshop, Columbia University, New York, May 24, 2005 Thank you