Porter Physiology Development Fellowship

Award Description

The Porter Physiology Development Fellowship supports graduate students from non-traditional backgrounds pursuing full-time PhD studies in the physiological sciences. The fellowship provides financial support, promotes professional development and encourages participation in the American Physiological Society (APS).

The fellowship is sponsored by APS and the William Townsend Porter Foundation.

Award Criteria

Applications are evaluated on:

• The applicant's background, academic preparation and potential for success.
• The importance of the fellowship to the applicant's professional and career development.
• The quality, significance and relevance of the proposed research to the physiological sciences.
• The strength of the mentoring, training and research environment.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be an APS member for at least one year at the time of application.
• Be a graduate student who is either the first person in their immediate family to earn a bachelor's degree or who comes from an economically disadvantaged background.
• Have at least 18 months remaining before completion of their PhD program.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, including U.S. territories. 
• Have an advisor or principal investigator who is an APS member.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

Educational Background Information

• Graduate program start date.
• Expected PhD completion date.
• Information regarding first-generation college student status and economic background.

Graduate Transcripts

• Graduate school transcripts in PDF format. Unofficial electronic transcripts are accepted.
• If a transcript is not in English, a translation of courses, grades and grading system information must be provided.

Biographical Sketch

Submit an NIH-formatted biographical sketch (maximum three pages) that addresses:

• Previous research and career development experiences.
• Interest in physiological sciences.
• Career aspirations.
• Why the Porter Fellowship is important to the applicant's academic and professional development.

Research Proposal

Submit a student-written research proposal (maximum three pages, excluding references) that includes:

1. Specific aims and hypothesis.
2. Background and purpose.
3. Significance of the study.
4. Preliminary data.
5. Research design and methods.
6. Expected outcomes and limitations.

The proposal should provide sufficient information for reviewers to evaluate the focus, breadth, depth and relevance of the project to the physiological sciences.

Advisor Materials

Applicants must provide advisor or program director contact information, including name, institution, APS member ID and email address.

The advisor must submit:

• NIH-formatted biographical sketch (maximum three pages).
• Research training and mentoring plan (maximum two pages).
• Current and pending support information.
• Documentation related to responsible conduct of research and applicable human or animal research requirements.
• A signed statement confirming the research proposal was written by the student and approved by the advisor.

The mentoring plan should describe:

• How the student's research skills will be developed.
• Activities that support academic and professional success.
• Additional training opportunities and coursework.
• Individuals who will contribute to the student's training.
• The research and training environment available to the student.

Letters of Recommendation

Two confidential letters of recommendation are required, including one from the applicant's research advisor or program director.

Conditions of the Award

The fellowship is awarded for one year.

Recipients may apply for a second year of funding through a competitive renewal process, subject to review and availability of funds. Continued APS graduate student membership is required for renewal. 

Recipients must remain enrolled full time in a PhD program in the physiological sciences throughout the fellowship period.

The annual stipend is paid to the recipient's institution in 12 monthly installments beginning in September. Research support is expected to be provided by the training institution.

Restrictions

• No funds may be used for tuition, fees, indirect costs or dependency allowances.
• Fellows may not simultaneously receive another comparable fellowship stipend.
• Fellows may not accept private employment during the fellowship period.