DHS Summer Research Team Program

ANNOUNCEMENT: Competition Closed

The current competition cycle for this program is now closed. The information presented below is for reference only.

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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate Office of University Programs sponsors the DHS Summer Research Team Program for Minority Serving Institutions to provide faculty and student research teams with the opportunity to conduct research at the DHS Centers of Excellence (DHS Centers).

The intent of the program is to provide research opportunities to increase and enhance the scientific leadership at Minority Serving Institutions in research areas that support the mission and goals of DHS. In addition, the program is designed to engage early career faculty, along with undergraduate and graduate students, in research that will provide them opportunities to understand the mission and research needs of DHS and make advances in Research Areas of importance to DHS, while strengthening the talent pool of scientists and engineers.

Summer research opportunities will be awarded to qualified faculty members and students to work on collaborative research of mutual interest to the Team, the DHS Center and DHS. Faculty members and students must be studying at an eligible institution in a discipline, major or concentration directly related to a homeland security science, technology, engineering and mathematics (HS-STEM) research area listed below:

Advanced Data Analysis and Visualization
Biological Threats and Countermeasures
Border Security
Chemical Threats and Countermeasures
Communications and Interoperability
Community, Commerce and Infrastructure Resilience
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Explosives Detection, Mitigation and Response
Food and Agriculture Security
Human Factors
Immigration Studies
Infrastructure Protection
Maritime and Port Security
Natural Disasters and Related Geophysical Studies
Risk, Economics and Decision Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Transportation Security

DHS is the funding organization for the research experiences at the DHS Centers. The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) administers and manages the program on behalf of DHS. ORISE is responsible for the implementation of the program, processing applications, notification and review process, managing the stipends, and travel arrangements. Participants are responsible for locating or providing room, board or local transportation.

AWARD DESCRIPTION

Available funds are for awards for the summer of 2010, and awards may not be deferred. Receipt of all deliverables detailed under Expectations is required before issuance of the final stipend payment.

1. Stipend
The stipend payments for 10 weeks (May through August 2010) are:

$1,200 a week for full-time faculty members
$600 a week for rising and full-time graduate students
$500 a week for full-time undergraduate students (rising juniors and seniors)

Faculty and students who participate at a DHS Center that is located in an area designated by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as a high cost locality pay area will automatically receive a supplement to the stipend based on the OPM locality payment percentage increase for that area. For example, areas that may qualify include Washington/Baltimore, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and New York City.

2. Allowances
For faculty members: A housing allowance of $150 per week will be provided to full-time faculty members who are employed by an institution more than fifty miles, one-way, from their assigned DHS Center. The housing allowance will be provided only if the faculty member is living away from their institution and/or home address and is paying for housing while at the DHS Center. If the housing allowance is provided, limited travel expenses for one round-trip will also be provided. The maximum combined allowance for housing and travel is $2,000.

For student team members: A housing allowance of $100 per week will be provided to student team members who are attending an institution more than fifty miles, one-way, from their assigned DHS Center. The housing allowance will be provided only if students are living away from their institution and/or home address and are paying for housing while at the DHS Center. If the housing allowance is provided, limited travel expenses for one round-trip will also be provided. The maximum combined allowance for housing and travel is $1,500.

Travel by the faculty member and/or student team members during the summer in support of the Team’s research may be approved for expense reimbursement by DHS/ORISE according to government travel policies. Travel plans must be approved by DHS/ORISE before travel begins. Travel that has not been approved before travel begins will not be reimbursed by DHS/ORISE.

3. Follow-on Funding
Faculty members are expected to submit a proposal for continued research and collaboration with the DHS Center during the 2010-2011 academic year. The maximum funding level for funded proposals will be $50,000.

4. Research Equipment and Supplies
The DHS Center will be responsible for providing the research equipment and supplies required for the Team’s project. Participants are not expected to purchase materials needed to complete the assigned project.

5. Persons with Disabilities
DHS is fully committed to implementing all Federal laws, regulations and guidelines related to the development of affirmative employment plans and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Therefore, we strongly encourage the participation of persons with disabilities in the program. To facilitate the participation of individuals with targeted disabilities, DHS will provide up to $1,500 in supplemental funding for special assistance and/or equipment necessary to enable the researcher to perform the work under the award.

EXPECTATIONS

Forming the research team:

The faculty member identifies one or two qualified students with whom he or she will work. The students must:
- Have an appropriate background and skill set for the research that the Team will accomplish during their appointment,
- Possess a strong work ethic and appropriate level of maturity,
- Satisfy all eligibility requirements listed under Applicant Eligibility,
- Be able to commit to full-time participation, on-site at the DHS Center 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday.
The Team reviews information about potential research areas offered by the DHS Centers. The team then selects up to two DHS Centers of interest.
The Team communicates with the points of contact at the DHS Centers to discuss and seek preapproval for the research project to be undertaken by the team. The Team and DHS Center(s) must agree on the project, its goals, and the location at which the research project will be conducted. Preapproval from the DHS Center must be obtained before submitting an application to the program. The summer appointment can take place at the DHS Center lead institution or a partnering institution.

Application:

By January 8, 2010 the faculty team member submits a Letter of Intent form indicating intention to apply to the program.
By February 1, 2010 the Team submits an application.

Orientation:

After receiving notification of selection, each faculty team member meets with representatives of the DHS Center at the DHS Center for a one-day pre-appointment orientation meeting in March or early April - no later than April 15, 2010. During the meeting, the research project and logistical issues, including summer housing, are discussed. Expenses for travel to this meeting will be reimbursed by DHS.
Each faculty team member attends a half-day DHS virtual orientation meeting via phone and/or internet. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for March 31, 2010. During the meeting, DHS and ORISE provide information regarding program requirements and administration as well as an overview of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate.

Participation:

During the summer, each team member commits to full-time participation, on-site at the DHS Center for 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, for 10 weeks.
At the end of the summer, each team is expected to co-author with the DHS Center, a research proposal that identifies a potential collaborative research opportunity between the Team’s institution and the DHS Center. DHS will review the proposal and consider follow-on funding of up to $50,000 for the Minority Serving Institution to continue research during the academic year.
Each Team conducts a research briefing at the DHS Center near the completion of the summer research experience and may be invited to conduct a briefing at the DHS S&T Directorate in Washington, DC. Student participants may be invited to the annual DHS career development conference to be held in October 2010.
Each team member completes a final DHS feedback form.
Each team member submits a five-page summary report of his or her research experience.
Each faculty team member submits a 1-2 page plan that addresses how he or she will integrate the DHS summer research experience into classroom teaching.

Logistics:

All living expenses including local transportation, room, board and entertainment are the responsibility of the faculty and student participants. Participants are responsible for securing their own living space and determining their means of local transportation prior to arriving at the designated institution. In addition, it is the responsibility of the program participants to pay all bills associated with living expenses by the departure date from the DHS Center. Prior to committing to this award, applicants are encouraged to research housing options and cost of living factors for their potential placement locations.

HANDBOOK FOR PARTICIPANTS

A copy of the Summer Research Team Program for Minority Serving Institutions Policies and Procedures Handbook from the 2009 competition cycle is available for review at http://www.orau.gov/dhsfaculty/2010pages/DHSHandbook.pdf. Before accepting an award, faculty and student team members must review the final 2010 competition cycle handbook that will be provided with their award package.

INSTITUTION ELIGIBILITY

Most accredited U.S. postsecondary institutions that meet the statutory criteria for identification as Minority Serving Institutions are listed at: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/edlite-minorityinst.html.

Specifically, applicants’ institutions must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Must be an accredited two- or four-year institution of higher education whose enrollment of a single minority or a combination of minorities exceeds 50 percent of the total enrollment (20 U.S.C 1067k(3)): or
Must be an accredited two- or four-year Historically Black College or University under Title III Part B of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1060 et seq.); or
Must be an accredited two- or four-year Hispanic Serving Institution under Title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.); or High Hispanic Enrollment Institution as defined by the Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/edlite-minorityinst-list-hisp-tab.html; or
Must be a Tribal College or University cited in the Equity in Educational Land Grant Status Act of 1994, the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978, or the Navajo Community College Assistance Act of 1978; or
Must be an Alaska Native-serving institution and eligible as such in accordance with 20 U.S.C. 1058(b) and 20 U.S.C. 1059d(b)(2); or
Must be a Native Hawaiian-serving institution and eligible as such in accordance with 20 U.S.C. 1058(b) and 20 U.S.C. 1059d(b)(4).

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

Faculty team members are subject to the following criteria:

United States citizenship by the application deadline
Full-time position at an eligible institution as defined under Institution Eligibility; tenure-track position if the eligible institution has a tenure system
Available to participate for 10 weeks full-time in the program
Coverage under a health insurance plan before arriving at the appointment site and maintenance of coverage during the appointment
Research and/or postsecondary teaching experience:
- Two years full-time as of the application deadline if teaching at an eligible institution with a PhD degree
- Three years full-time as of the application deadline if teaching at an eligible community college with a Master’s degree
PhD or Master’s degree (if teaching at an eligible community college) in a discipline, major or concentration directly related to a homeland security science, technology, engineering or mathematics (HS-STEM) Research Area of importance to DHS
Preference given to early career faculty, with early career defined as one of the following:
- No more than seven years since receipt of a PhD degree as of the application deadline
- No more than seven years since receipt of Master’s degree if teaching at an eligible community college as of the application deadline
- If more than seven years since receipt of graduate degree, then less than seven years of teaching experience at a postsecondary institution as of the application deadline

Student team members are subject to the following criteria:

United States citizenship by the application deadline
At least 18 years of age at the start of the internship period
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale as of the application deadline, with GPA verified by official transcripts. GPA requirements will be strictly enforced. Faculty team members should ensure that all student team members meet the GPA requirement.
Available to participate full-time for the same period as the faculty team member
Coverage under a health insurance plan before arriving at the appointment site and maintenance of coverage during the appointment
Eligible academic standing defined as one of the following:
- Undergraduate students who are enrolled full-time as a sophomore or junior as of the application deadline and plan to be enrolled full-time as of fall 2010 at an eligible 4-year minority serving institution
- Undergraduate students who:
  - Are enrolled full-time at an eligible 2-year minority serving institution as of the application deadline
  - Will be enrolled full-time in fall 2010 as a junior at a 4-year U.S. accredited college or university and able to show proof of transfer with two years of credit before the summer assignment begins
- Rising graduate students who:
  - Are enrolled full-time as a senior at an eligible minority serving institution as of the application deadline
  - Will be accepted into graduate school by May 3, 2010
  - Will be enrolled full-time in graduate school in fall 2010
- Graduate students who are enrolled full-time as of the application deadline and plan to be enrolled full-time as of fall 2010 at an eligible minority serving institution
Majoring in a discipline related to a homeland security science, technology, engineering or mathematics (HS-STEM) Research Area of importance to DHS

Faculty and student team members may not participate in more than two competition cycles.

Faculty and student team members may not participate at their home institution.

There is no limitation on the number of team applications from any single institution.

DHS CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Teams may select one project from up to two DHS Centers. When completing the application, Teams must list the DHS Center selections in order of preference. See Contact Information for DHS Center Directors and Education Representatives.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

The application materials for the DHS Summer Research Team Program for Minority Serving Institutions are available at: http://www.orau.gov/dhsfaculty/2010pages/application.html.

By January 8, 2010 a Letter of Intent form should be submitted by the faculty team member only (not necessary for student team members) to indicate intent to submit an application to the program. The form should be sent via an email attachment to dhsed@orau.org. While this form is not required, submission is strongly encouraged.

February 1, 2010 is the deadline for submission of all required application documents. For items submitted by postal mail, this is a postmark deadline, not a receipt deadline. Please note that applications not meeting the submission deadline will not be reviewed.

Required items:

Completed Application Forms (both faculty and student forms) submitted by the faculty team member in one envelope to ORISE via postal mail. To protect your personal information, mark envelope “To Be Opened by Addressee Only.”
Curriculum vitae submitted by the faculty team member in the same envelope as the application forms to ORISE via postal mail. Curriculum vitae should include all items listed below within a five-page limit:
- Colleges attended, with dates of attendance and degrees received, field, and titles of theses and dissertations;
- Chronology of professional employment and significant academic and professional activities;
- List of publications authored and co-authored, with refereed journal articles listed separately from reports, abstracts, papers in conference proceedings, etc.;
- Research experience; and
- Courses taught.
Two letters of reference for the faculty team member, one from the faculty team member’s Dean of Research and one from the faculty team member’s Department Head. Letters of reference must be sent directly by the references either electronically to dhsed@orau.org or via postal mail to ORISE.
Two letters of reference for each student team member. Letters of reference must be sent directly by the references either electronically to dhsed@orau.org or via postal mail to ORISE. Letters of reference for student must not include a reference from the faculty team member.
Official undergraduate and graduate transcript(s) for each student team member sent directly from the Registrar to ORISE via postal mail.
Documentation of application to 4-year institution for fall 2010 for undergraduate students attending an eligible community college at the time of application. Documentation must be sent by the applicant to ORISE via postal mail.
Documentation of application to graduate school for fall 2010 for rising graduate students (seniors at the time of application). Documentation must be sent by the applicant to ORISE via postal mail.
Copy of Birth Certificate for applicants who cannot provide a current or expired U.S. Passport number on their application form. Birth certificate copy must sent by the applicant to ORISE via postal mail.

DHS Center project approval must be obtained before submitting an application. Documentation of contact with the DHS Center will be required on the application form. Any application for which prior project approval has not been obtained will not be considered.

Application materials that are submitted electronically should be sent to: dhsed@orau.org.

Application materials submitted via postal mail should be sent to:

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
DHS Summer Research Team Program for Minority Serving Institutions, MS-36
PO Box 117
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0117

APPLICATION SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

Required items for faculty team member

Letter of Intent Form (not required but strongly encouraged)
Completed Application Form
Curriculum vitae
Letter of Reference from Dean of Research
Letter of Reference from Department Chair
Copy of Birth Certificate for any applicant who cannot provide a current or expired U.S. Passport number on Application Form

Required items for student team member(s)

Completed Application Form (submitted by faculty team member)
Two (2) Letters of Reference (Letter of Reference cannot be written by faculty team member)
Official undergraduate and graduate transcript(s)
Documentation of application to 4-year institution for fall 2010 for undergraduate students attending an eligible community college
Documentation of application to graduate school for fall 2010 for rising graduate students (seniors at the time of application)
Copy of Birth Certificate for any applicant who cannot provide a current or expired U.S. Passport number on Application Form

EVALUATION PROCESS

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Relevance and intrinsic merit of the research: The relevance and quality of the proposed research project, as stated in the application, to the DHS Center’s goals and one of the 17 research areas. Funding is limited and will be directed to the highest priority research needs.(40 percent)
Faculty applicant qualifications: Evidence of the researcher’s skills, experience, and past accomplishments that demonstrate their capability to participate in a DHS S&T Office of University Programs research program.(30 percent)
Academic benefit: The overall academic benefit to the faculty applicant and his/her institution as described by the applicant.(10 percent)
Student applicant qualifications: The overall qualifications of the student applicant(s). Evidence of their interest and willingness to contribute to the success of the Team based on their essay responses.(20 percent)

Applications will be evaluated on the basis of merit review. The reviewers will assess applications based on the criteria outlined in the evaluation criteria:

Adjective	Definition
Excellent	A comprehensive and thorough application of exceptional merit, with numerous strengths and no major weaknesses.
Very good	An application that demonstrates overall competence and is worthy of support. However, the application has a few minor weaknesses.
Good	An application with a reasonable sound response. There are more strengths than weaknesses.
Fair	An application with strengths and weaknesses approximately equal. However, as a whole, weaknesses are not offset by strengths.
Poor	An application with serious deficiencies and should not be supported. There are numerous weaknesses and few strengths.

Faculty and student selection recommendations will be made by the respective DHS Centers with the final selection by DHS S&T Office of University Programs.

NOTIFICATION

The Teams selected will be notified by email beginning March 2, 2010. Selection notification will also be made in writing to the Dean and Department Head who provided the letters of reference and to the Institution President. Additionally, selection notification will be made by email to the DHS Center or major partner. All selection notifications will be conducted by ORISE.

Teams not selected will be notified by email.

DHS reserves the right to make no awards or to cancel this program. DHS assumes no liability for canceling the program or for anyone’s failure to receive actual notification of cancellation.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Student GPA application requirements will be strictly enforced. Faculty team members should ensure that all student team members meet the GPA requirement.

DHS Center project approval must be obtained before submitting an application. Any application for which prior project approval has not been obtained will not be considered.

Faculty must attend the DHS Orientation half-day DHS virtual orientation meeting scheduled tentatively for March 31, 2010, as well as the pre-appointment orientation meeting at the DHS Center in March or early April.

Each faculty and student team member must commit to full-time participation, on-site at the DHS Center for 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Any team member unable to fulfill the full-time requirement may be terminated from the program.

All living expenses including local transportation, room, board and entertainment are the responsibility of the faculty and student participants. Participants are responsible for securing their own living space and determining their means of local transportation prior to arriving at the designated institution. In addition, it is the responsibility of the program participants to pay all bills associated with living expenses by the departure date from the DHS Center.

Receipt of all deliverables detailed under Expectations is required before issuance of the final stipend payment.