Submission:
Applications for the 2007-2008 cycle must be submitted electronically as an attchment to applications@newaid.org between January 1 and January 15, 2008. Applications received outside this period will not be evaluated. At that time, a signed copy of Page 1 of the application must be sent to:

Letters:
Letters of Reference must first be submitted electronically from verifiable email addresses (.edu, .gov, .org,); personal, non-traceable email addresses such as Yahoo, Hotmail or AOL are not suitable. The form, letter2006.doc, is available on Microsoft Word for modification as read-only and should be sent to applications@newaid.org . Only those letters from individuals residing outside the United States may be submitted, if need be, by postal mail to the address above. When submitting electronically, the applicants name should be in the email’s subject heading reading, for example, as “Letter for John Smith.”

Applicants must choose between three and five individuals to write letters of reference (PART A, page 9). Applicants are encouraged to select a range of individuals who can comment on different facets of the applicant’s ability such as a former employer and professors from different academic departments.

In addition, applicants must submit a letter from an individual who has been chosen to serve as a mentor. This person will guide the applicant through the research process by providing ongoing feedback as the fellow initiates and conducts his or her research and prepares the findings for publication. This individual may be among, or in addition to, one of the individuals who will write a letter of reference. In this letter, the mentor should answer the specific questions addressed to the mentor (PART B) on page 9 of the application. If they are not responsible for writing a letter of reference, they do not need to answer questions in PART A of that page.

Finally, applicants must submit a letter from an individual who has been chosen to serve as a supervisor at the site of research. This individual may be the same as, or in addition to, the individual who will serve as a mentor and should answer the specific questions addressed to the supervisor (PART C) on page 9 of the application. If they are not responsible for writing a letter of reference, they do not need to answer questions in PART A of that page.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval:
All projects that use human subjects must meet approval by the IRB at the research site before NEW AID will distribute stipends. While proof of approval is not required from applicants at the time they submit the application, it is expected that individuals be able to immediately provide this proof once they are approved for funding in early March. Failure to submit this documentation when requested will result in forfeiture of the award. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to submit paperwork for IRB approval as soon as possible.

Additional Materials: for finalists (to be named in March, 2008)
Ultimately, finalists will be required to submit upon request original, official copies of (a) all Letters of Reference (b) official Graduate School transcripts and (c) IRB approval by mail immediately upon being named a finalist. Applicants should have these items on hand upon being named a finalist in March, 2008.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to insure that all parts of the applications are submitted at the time they are required to be submitted. Only complete applications will be evaluated.

Review:
Applications will be reviewed in March and notification will be made, by email, at the end of March or early April.

Q: Can I apply even if I have completed less than two semesters of graduate classwork by the application date but will have finished two full semesters by the summer?
A: All individuals who will have completed two semesters of graduate classwork prior to their travel date are eligible.

Q: Does The NEW AID Foundation have any contacts at institutions outside the United States which it would be willing to share with prospective applicants?
A: Currently, it is the responsibility of the applicants to locate sites for research.

Q: How much is each award?
A: Actual stipends may vary and are not guaranteed until notification is made in May. Students should budget for approximately $4,000 allowance for masters students and $8,000 plus arfare for doctoral and post-doctoral students.

Q: How many awards will be given each year?
A: Numbers will vary from year to year and the final number of awards will not be decided until all applications have been reviewed.

Q: Can the money be used for research tools?
A: No stipulations are made as to how the money is spent.

Q: Can two applicants file together to work as co-researchers on the same project?
A: Yes. In the final section of the application, applicants may indicate that they are filing for two individuals by indicating at the top in large, bold letters: JOINT APPLICATION WITH XXX. Two applications must be submitted, and should ideally be (e)mailed together. Most importantly, APPLICANTS MUST SPECIFY in this space if they are simply seeking one award (e.g., $4,000) or if they want double the amount of a typical award (e.g., $8,000). Only exceptional awards will be given double the amount.

Q: Where can the research be conducted?
A: Latin America, Asia, Africa, or Eastern Europe. Other areas will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Application

Letter of Reference