Become an Impact Scholar!#

Eligibility#

In order to apply, you must:

  • have completed the most recent Academy course in your chosen domain as a student or a Teaching Assistant.

    • Course completion is validated through certification, which signifies successful completion of both tutorials and projects.

    • Teaching Assistants are joining teams as equal collaborators.

  • be part of a team.

    • Individual applications will not be considered, but see FAQs.

    • There is no maximum size limit for the teams, but every applicant must be part of no more than a single team.


Application process#

1. Expression of interest#

July 25 - 26, 2024

Upon submission of your project slides at the very end of your project work at Neuromatch or Climatematch, we ask that you indicate the number of people from your team who are planning to apply for extended computing resources to continue the project. We also ask whether either or both of your Teaching Assistants are interested in joining you, so please discuss this with them before submitting the form!

You will have access to computing resources until the application deadline so that you can ground your project proposal in solid preliminary analysis.

2. Application#

August 12 - September 16, 2024

To apply for extended resources, submit a concise two-page project proposal by the deadline, 16th September 2024.

The application form includes detailed information about the format and content your proposal should have.

Important

The application form is now closed.

The strongest proposals will:

  1. Build on existing work:

    • directly build on, and be supported by, analyses conducted during the course and the following month;

  2. Have a Clear Research Focus:

    • Clearly define the research question or hypothesis.

    • Specify the objectives and expected outcomes of the project.

  3. Demonstrate Broader Relevance and Impact:

    • Explain the significance of the research within its field.

    • Highlight the potential broader impacts of the project, such as advancements in knowledge, practical applications, or contributions to societal challenges.

3. Application decisions#

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We will aim to get back to you within 2 weeks of proposal submission.


Frequently asked questions#

What should I do if no one else from my project group is planning to continue working on the project?

We understand that not every member of the groups formed during the Academies will be able to dedicate time to the project after the course. We therefore encourage students who are left without a team to join forces with another group.

Please browse the submitted projects through the link shared on Discord (#isp-community) and reach out to the displayed contact person of any project that interests you. The host team reserves the right to decide who can join their team. You are welcome to reach out to multiple teams, but please join and apply as part of only one team.

Can we change the topic of our project?

Yes, but we would still like to see preliminary analyses in your application.

Can I join a different team just because their project more closely relates to my professional interests?

Yes, but please make sure that your former team is aware of this.

How will the Academies facilitate the reforming of the project groups?

The existing pod channels on Discord will stay open until the end of the program to give teams a private working space.

If a group expands, please post the name of the new team member and the name of the pod/group in #isp-community or raise a ticket with the same information. Please make sure to tag @ISP organizers. We can then add new members to the existing pod channels to facilitate team communication.

At the start of the program, we will create additional, pod-independent spaces for teams to communicate internally and with other teams working on related topics/datasets.

What mentorship will be provided?

We will try our best to provide groups with the kind of mentorship that matches their needs and preferences. Mentors are experienced scientists who will provide support throughout the six-month program. Scholars can expect bi-monthly meetings with mentors for guidance, progress reviews, and troubleshooting, along with monthly updates to program staff. Additionally, mentors will help with task planning, provide feedback, and monitor communication channels to ensure scholars receive timely assistance and advice.