The Evidence-based Policymaking Graduate (EPG) Fellowship Program supports advanced doctoral students to partner with the EIC's Results First Team to develop and maintain policy-relevant efforts germane to their course of study. The EPG Fellowship is intended to promote exceptional trainee experiences to better grow the field by partnering in EIC Results First projects and initiatives. Key to this effort is the translation of academic knowledge into practical and applicable forms for transmission to and consumption by external audiences, namely policymakers.
Relevant science and engineering domains are broadly inclusive and exploration beyond traditional collaboration pathways to promote innovation is strongly encouraged. A rich diversity of topics and policy domains are welcomed, with example partnerships including, but not limited to, equity and disparities, science communication, substance abuse, child welfare, criminal and juvenile justice, police reform, data science and the use of research evidence, child, family, and human development, immigration and migration, and the social determinants of health.
Priority will be given to applications that strategically align with the missions of the Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative, the Social Science Research Institute, and the University. Priority will also be given to applications that showcase complementarity and value-added synergy with existing programs, initiatives, and efforts.
EPG Fellowship Opportunities:
Fellowships provide full tuition coverage for an advanced doctoral student for one academic year. Fellows will also receive up to $1,000 in summer supplement.
Eligibility:
Advanced doctoral candidates at any Penn State campus are eligible.
Application Process & Timeline:
Applications should first be submitted for approval to the Department Heads of each doctoral candidate. Once approval is obtained, Department Heads should forward the application to EICEPF@psu.edu. Each Department Head may submit up to two proposals.
- February 18, 2022: Department Heads forward the application, with approval to the EIC (EICEPF@psu.edu), including information for appropriate financial contact for department;
- March: The EIC Results First Team will review proposals and interview candidates through March and April;
- May 6, 2022: Candidates will be notified of funding for the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 academic year.
Application Format:
The application should be no more than three single-spaced pages, not including items 4 and 5 below. Items 1-5 should be saved in a single PDF document for forwarding to the College Dean.
- Title of project, initiative, or research agenda and names and departments of proposed Fellow.
- Goals for the Graduate Fellowship
- Describe the research or project area and its significance.
- Explain how the EPG Fellowship will play a significant role in advancing the Fellow’s academic program and professional pursuits.
- Activity Plan
- Describe the activities that will be undertaken during the Fellowship period, including how these activities will advance the goals of the Fellowship and a timeline for their accomplishment.
- Describe the role of Fellow and their qualifications for their roles.
- Attach statements of support from Mentor/Advisor.
- Attach NSF or NIH biosketch of each proposed fellow and mentor.
Application Review Criteria:
- Merits of the proposal, including its innovation, significance, and relevance to the EIC, SSRI, and University missions and centrality to EIC strategic aims and activity portfolio (details can be found at evidence2impact.psu.edu, ssri.psu.edu and strategicplan.psu.edu).
- Qualifications, commitment (including expected time commitment), and clarity of roles for the Fellow(s).
- Clarity, rigor, and feasibility of the work plan.
- Potential Fellowship contribution to training for future professional pursuits.
Progress Reporting:
Awardees are required to provide a progress report at the end of the funding period, highlighting progress made, tangible outcomes (e.g., papers, presentations), and intangible or non-traditional impact evaluation (broadly defined, to include non-academic presentations, legislative and administrative goals, news media coverage, internal and external recognition, etc.)