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Cottrell Scholar Awards

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Our Mission

“The Mission of Research Corporation for Science Advancement is to advance early stage, high-potential, basic scientific research”

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Our Vision

RCSA provides catalytic funding and sponsors conferences to support:

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    • Early career faculty (physical sciences)
    • Innovative ideas for basic research
    • Interdisciplinary research
    • Integration of research and science teaching
    • Building the academic leadership of the future

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Cottrell Scholar Program

Cottrell Scholar Awards

(RU, Comprehensive University and PUI Faculty)

Development of Outstanding Teacher-Scholars

Community Building

(Cottrell Scholar Conference and Cottrell Scholar Collaborative)

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Cottrell Scholar Program

Multi-layered program

Program Elements

    • Individual Cottrell Scholar Awards
    • Network of Scholars - CS Collaborative (community building)
    • Annual conference in educational themes of national interest (convening)
    • Cottrell Scholar Collaborative awards given after the conference (collaborations)
    • Cottrell Plus Opportunities
            • SEED Award for research innovation

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Cottrell Scholar Awards�Eligibility and Deadlines

  • Fixed Awards: $120,000
  • Eligible faculty are in third year (this year: 2023 start) of first tenure-track faculty appointment at Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy Departments (PUIs and RUs; US and Canada)
  • If outside a Chem/Phys/Astro Department, a joint appointment with such a department is required
  • Proposed research will add to fundamental scientific knowledge in one of the three core disciplines
  • Proposal Elements: Research Plan, Educational plan and Academic Citizenship Statement
  • Deadline: July 1, 2026
  • Awards Announced: February 15, 2027

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Submission and Review

  • Electronic submission starts with eligibility quiz for access to application forms
  • Multi-tiered Review Process
      • Educational Proposal Screening
      • External review (research; 8 experts in the research field)
      • Cottrell Scholar Selection Committee
  • Funding Rate: 14%
  • Successful proposals contain both innovative research and educational plans

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Cottrell Scholar Awards�Proposal Elements

Research Plan

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    • Brief format – four pages

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    • May describe a new research project OR exciting new directions of an on-going project; avoid overlap with funded NSF/NIH projects

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    • Experts will evaluate the plan in terms of significance, originality and feasibility

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    • High risk is encouraged – but also suggest a plan B

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    • Strong funding and publication records help

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    • Cottrell Scholar’s cohort is exceptionally strong!

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Cottrell Scholar Awards�Proposal Elements

Educational Plan

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    • Three pages plus one page of assessment plans and departmental support and one page with description of courses taught

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    • Successful plans contain innovative methods or approaches to classroom instruction

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    • Solves an important problem for your students/population

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    • Cottrell Scholars are practitioners NOT Chemistry or Physics Education researchers but needs to be evidence-based, so knowledge/understanding of education research should be evident

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    • Plan needs buy-in from department/academic unit

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Cottrell Scholar Awards�Proposal Elements

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Assessment Plan

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    • How will you know that you have been effective and accomplished your educational goals?

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    • Use the same type of thinking you use for your laboratory work, but applied to your education plan

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    • Consider the data you can collect that will demonstrate efficacy and impact for your population

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    • If needed, consider collaborating with CER/PER folks at your institution or your Center for Teaching and Learning (if available)

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Cottrell Scholar Awards

Proposal Elements

Academic Citizenship Statement

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  • Brief description of how the principal investigator will become a �strong academic citizen

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  • Examples of how stronger academic citizenship may be achieved by (for example):

1) Participating in departmental, college and/or university wide-committees

2) Mentoring students and collaborating with colleagues

3) Taking time to understand university needs and opportunities

4) Developing and sharing creative ideas to advance institutional mission

5) Taking on institutional leadership positions (perhaps in the future)

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Education Plan

    • Proposal targets an important educational issue for your students
    • Scholarly/evidence-based
    • Uses appropriate interventions to achieve goal
    • Extends beyond normal teaching expectations
    • Thorough assessment plan

Research Plan

    • Clearly articulates goals and plan to achieve them
    • Innovative with potential for significant outcomes that advance the field
    • Potential for candidate to be clear leader in the field

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Committee Review

    • Holistic process
    • Assesses candidate and proposal
    • See external reviews by disciplinary experts but members write independent evaluations too

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Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

External review includes both insiders (prior mentors) and subject matter experts

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RCSA contact information

Silvia Ronco, sronco@rescorp.org

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https://rescorp.org/cottrell-scholars

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