PURPOSE: With these Fellowships, The Grass Foundation seeks to encourage independent research by investigators early in their careers and to increase research opportunities for persons trained for careers in neurobiological investigation. Approaches supported include the following: neurophysiology, membrane biophysics, integrative neurobiology, neuroethology, neuroanatomy, neuropharmacology, systems neuroscience, cellular and developmental neurobiology, and computational approaches to neural systems.

Grass Fellowships at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) permit a group of investigators to conduct independent research projects of their own design. While sharing space in the Grass Laboratory (Grass Lab), Fellows function as an intellectual and social group within the MBL community. A weekly seminar series provides an opportunity for the Fellows to invite eminent investigators at the MBL to discuss their work. In addition, the Forbes Lecturer, a prominent neuroscientist who is chosen annually, spends a portion of the summer in the Grass Lab interacting closely with Fellows.

Grass Fellowships provide funds to support an investigator, his/her spouse or domestic partner, and dependent children for one summer at the MBL in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA. Laboratory research space, equipment, housing, board and round-trip travel expenses to the MBL are provided.

ELIGIBILITY: Applicants may be in the late stages of predoctoral training or be postdoctoral researchers. Applicants should not attempt to combine a Grass Fellowship with writing a Ph.D. thesis. Priority in award of Fellowships is given to applicants who have a demonstrated commitment to a research career, who have no more than five years of postdoctoral research and who have no prior research experience at the MBL (participation in an MBL course is not considered research experience and course alumni are encouraged to apply). Applications that fall outside these guidelines may be considered; please contact the Foundation regarding eligibility questions. International applicants (not US citizens or resident aliens) must hold a J-1 visa for the duration of the fellowship. The Grass Foundation is committed to diversity in all of its programs.

TENURE: The normal tenure is 14 weeks; in 2008, this will be 18 May to 23 August. Preference will be given to applicants who commit to the full 14-week tenure.

DEADLINE: Applications for summer 2008 must be received by 10 December 2007 and cannot be accepted after the closing date. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the completed application and letters of recommendation are submitted on time. Successful applicants will be notified by 1 March 2008.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS
GUIDELINES

The application requires a RESEARCH PROPOSAL written by the applicant. Experimental animals must be species that are readily obtainable from the MBL or easily shipped from a supplier. Small laboratory mammals, such as rats and mice, are permissible. Applicants must complete the BUDGET sections of the application, which itemize travel expenses, equipment shipping expenses, and living accommodation requirements. THREE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION from senior investigators familiar with the applicant's work (and who are not Trustees of the Grass Foundation) must be received on or before 10 December 2007.

More information is available at: http://www.grassfoundation.org
Or contact The Grass Fellowship Program at:

• E-mail:
  
• Voice: 508-289-7173
  
• FAX: 508-289-7934
  

The Selection Committee, comprised of the Trustees of The Grass Foundation, judges the ability of the applicant to organize and present pertinent information and looks for evidence of ability to work independently. Most Fellows share space in the Grass Laboratory; some may arrange to work in the space of other MBL investigators.

The number of Fellowships awarded varies annually, averaging approximately ten to twelve per summer. In 2007, eleven Fellowships were awarded.



The following instructions pertain to Form FA-2008, which is the application for the Grass Fellowship Program at the MBL in 2008

A. COVER PAGE: Self-explanatory; please provide the requested information (to fit on one page, if possible).

• Regarding Dates: The normal tenure is 14 weeks and preference will be given to applicants who commit to the full 14 week tenure. Program dates in 2008 are 18 May to 23 August.
  
  
• Regarding Citizenship: Applicants who are not US citizens or resident aliens must obtain a J-1 visa for the duration of the program. No other visas can be accepted. Further information regarding visas is available on the MBL website (http://www.mbl.edu/education/foreign_services/immigration.html) or by contacting The Grass Fellowship Program office at 508.289.7173, or gfp@grassfoundation.org. If selected, applicants requiring a J-1 visa will need to immediately initiate the visa application process.

B. CONTACT INFORMATION: Self-explanatory.

C. CURRICULUM VITAE: The CV may be prepared in any form but should include standard information such as education, positions, awards, funding and publications (some of which must also be entered in Sections A and B). Define clearly your current status with respect to the Ph.D., M.D. and/or postdoctoral training.

D. RESEARCH PROPOSAL: The proposal must be prepared by the applicant and include the following sections:

1. Title of research proposal.
   
   
2. An abstract (200-300 words) of the proposed research.
   
   
3. A summary of prior research experience (limited to 1 page). If your current position is nearing completion (e.g., finishing a Ph.D. or postdoctoral position), describe your upcoming plans.
   
   
4. The research proposal (not to exceed 8 pages) including background and significance, specific aims, experimental plan and expected findings.

• Regarding the Research Proposal. The Selection Committee consists of Foundation Trustees. All sections of the application should be written so that they can be understood and evaluated by neuroscientists who may not be specialists in your particular field. Applications will be judged on attributes including overall quality, the applicant's ability to organize and present pertinent information, the applicant's promise in the field of neuroscience, the feasibility of the project and likelihood of success. The Selection Committee gives preference to research proposals appropriate to the facilities and organisms that can be accommodated at the MBL. If unfamiliar with the MBL, visit their website: http://www.mbl.edu. See Section F regarding appropriate species. Questions regarding the suitability of research projects or species should be directed to The Grass Fellowship Program, at 508.289.7173, or
  

E. RESEARCH SPACE AND DATES: Most Fellows work in The Grass Laboratory (located in the Rowe Laboratory building), which accommodates 10-12 investigators. Less commonly, Fellows arrange to work in the laboratory of another MBL investigator. The Grass Foundation pays for Fellows’ research space in the Grass Lab whereas space in other investigators’ laboratories is provided by the sponsoring investigator.

• Regarding Fellows working outside the Grass Lab. If a request is made to work outside the Grass Laboratory, the sponsoring investigator must submit a letter of support by the application deadline, indicating the following (this letter is in addition to the three required letters of recommendation):
  (i). agreement to host the proposed research project,
  (ii). dates the investigator will be in residence at MBL,
  (iii). availability to sponsor the project during the Fellowship period, and
  (iv). availability of laboratory space during the Fellowship period.

F. BUDGET

1. RESEARCH EXPENSES:
a. Laboratory Equipment. List the major pieces of equipment needed to perform the proposed research, including the name of the manufacturer, model number and whether it (1) can be brought from the home institution (home) or (2) will need to be provided by the Grass Foundation (i.e., rented from MBL or provided on loan by a vendor).

• Regarding Equipment. The amount of rental and loaner equipment available at MBL is limited, so applicants are encouraged to bring some equipment from their home institution. Shipping will be paid by The Grass Foundation. Applicants should not solicit equipment from vendors; this will be done by the MBL loaner office after Fellows are selected. Successful applicants will be contacted by the Associate Director of the Grass Fellowship Program soon after their selection to finalize equipment needs.
  
  In computing estimates of transportation costs, indicate which items are to be shipped to Woods Hole, their approximate weight and quoted overland freight rate for that weight and class of items. If planning to transport equipment with U-Haul or other rented truck, quote those rates round trip including destination charges. Provide costs in US$.

b. Special Facilities. List any special facilities needed, if applicable.

c. Laboratory Animals. The Grass Foundation pays for the cost of purchasing, shipping and housing experimental animals.

• Regarding Animals. Preference is given to research proposals appropriate to the facilities and organisms available at the MBL. These are typically marine and freshwater species (e.g., fish, amphibians), invertebrates (e.g., insects, gastropods), and small mammals such as mice or rats. The MBL does not have facilities to house large mammalian species. Animal use must comply with accepted practices for biomedical research. Species available through MBL's Marine Resources Center are listed at http://www.mbl.edu/marine_org/index.html.
  

d. Supplies and Miscellaneous Expenses. $1000 is allotted to each Fellow to order items required to conduct the fellowship research project. An additional $1500 is available for other expenses. These categories do not need to be itemized in the application form. Please indicate if you expect supply costs to significantly exceed $1000.

• Regarding Supplies. "Supplies" include chemicals, small items of equipment, time charges for special facilities (EM, confocal, hot labs, etc.) and all expendables.
  

• Regarding Miscellaneous Expenses. These funds cover other unanticipated expenses such as out-of-pocket purchase of small items from hardware stores, office supplies, charges for photocopying library materials, etc.
  

• Regarding Accounting. All expenditures in the above two categories are subject to review and approval. Each Fellow must keep a running account of expenses as they are incurred and is financially liable for any overruns.
  

2. TRAVEL EXPENSES: The Grass Foundation pays the cost of round-trip transportation to Woods Hole for the Fellow and his/her immediate family. "Immediate family" means the Fellow's spouse or legal domestic partner, and any dependent children.

• Regarding Travel: The Grass Foundation's policy is to pay for direct travel between the home institution and Woods Hole on the basis of (1) the mileage for private vehicle travel according to the current IRS rate, or (2) airfare at the most economical rate to Boston, plus bus travel to Woods Hole, whichever is less. Estimate round-trip travel costs as closely as possible; in computing the Total Estimated Round-Trip Travel Expenses, please include the lesser of the airfare vs. private vehicle calculations. If your application is selected for funding, you will be asked to submit a Final Travel Estimate. After the Final Travel Estimate is approved, The Grass Foundation will issue a one-time advance check in that amount.
  

3. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

a. Housing. The MBL, not The Grass Foundation, makes housing assignments for those accepted as Grass Fellows. The Foundation pays for housing of the Fellow and his/her immediate family, as defined above.

• Regarding Housing: The MBL has various housing options. On-campus housing includes single rooms for single Fellows or double rooms for couples. Off-campus cottages are available for groups of adults or for Fellows accompanied by family. The Grass Foundation pays the MBL directly for the cost of MBL housing. Fellows who choose not to stay in MBL housing must make their own arrangements and pay their own housing expenses (deposits, rent, utilities, etc.); in this case, The Grass Foundation pays the Fellow an amount equivalent to the declined MBL housing. Fellows should be aware that the decision to be paid directly by the Foundation for housing may have tax consequences.
  

b. Food. The Grass Foundation pays for the meals of the Fellow and his/her immediate family, as defined above. No details on meal costs need to be entered in the application form.

• Regarding Food: Those living in MBL on-campus housing eat in the MBL dining hall (open every day except Sunday). The cost of meal tickets is charged directly to The Grass Foundation and a Sunday food allowance is provided directly to each Fellow. Those living off-campus (in MBL cottages or privately-arranged housing) are paid a food allowance equivalent to the declined MBL meal plan. Fellows should be aware that the decision to be paid directly by the Foundation for meals may have tax consequences.
  

G. INSURANCE: The MBL requires that all Fellows have health insurance.

• Regarding Insurance: The Grass Foundation does not pay the costs of health or accident insurance. Fellows must ensure that they are suitably covered during the tenure of the Fellowship. A signature is required on Form FA-2008 as a waiver of claims against The Grass Foundation for any illness, accident or injury during the Fellowship tenure.
  

H. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: To be complete, each application must include a letter of recommendation from the applicant's current research advisor, plus two additional letters from investigators familiar with the applicant. These may be mailed or sent electronically to The Grass Fellowship Program (See Section J). Letters of recommendation must arrive on or before the application deadline or the application will be returned as incomplete. If an applicant proposes to work in the laboratory of an investigator at the MBL, a letter from the sponsoring investigator must also be submitted (see Section E).

• Regarding Letters: Applicants are encouraged to provide copies of their research proposal to those writing letters on their behalf. Applications are strengthened when the letters of recommendation discuss, in addition to the applicant's strengths and her/his previous research accomplishments, the significance and likelihood of success of the proposed fellowship project. If the applicant's research is relevant to a laboratory that she/he will join after the fellowship (e.g., a Ph.D. student moving to a postdoctoral lab), a letter from the upcoming advisor may be appropriate. Important: Letters of recommendation may not be submitted by current Trustees of The Grass Foundation (see list at http://www.grassfoundation.org/trustees/index.html).
  

I. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This section of Form FA-2008 requests additional items of information.

J. DEADLINE & SUBMISSION PROCEDURE: THE CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS AND LETTERS IS 10 DECEMBER 2007, AT MIDNIGHT EASTERN STANDARD TIME (UTC-5). ANY APPLICATION INCOMPLETE AT THIS TIME WILL BE RETURNED.

Applications should be submitted electronically, as a single pdf file, to the e-mail address given below. If conversion to pdf format is inconvenient for an applicant, a MS Word file will be accepted. Likewise, if electronic submission is a hardship, a hard copy of the application will be accepted. Letters of recommendation may be submitted electronically or by standard mail.

Electronic submission:

• Mailing address:
  The Grass Fellowship Program
  7 MBL Street
  Candle House
  Woods Hole, MA 02543

Applicants will be notified of The Grass Foundation's decision by 1 March, 2008.

K. ACCEPTANCE OF CONDITIONS: This section of Form FA-2008 requires the applicant's signature, certifying that she/he has read and accepts all conditions and policies listed in the Grass Fellowship Program Overview, the Grass Fellowship Program Application Instructions and Form FA-2008.

Applicants who submit the application electronically must fax a signed version of Section K to the Grass Fellowship Program at this number: 508.289.7934.

To proceed with the application process, applicants must indicate by clicking on the appropriate button below that they have read and accept all conditions and policies listed in the Grass Fellowship Program Overview and the Grass Fellowship Program Application Instructions above, and would like to access Form FA-2008 (Application for the Grass Fellowship Program).