DIMACS/BioMaPS/MB Center Special Focus on Information Processing in Biology

The DNA Barcode Data Analysis Initiative

APPLICATION FOR RESEARCH SUPPORT

Requests for Research Support

The DAWG Steering Committee plans to provide competitive research awards of $5,000 to $10,000 each to between five and ten applicants (contingent on the success of pending proposals to funding agencies).

REQUIREMENTS:

Recipients of research awards will be expected to submit an abstract for possible presentation at the Second International Barcode Conference planned for February 2007. If accepted, the recipient will present the results of his or her research at the conference, and submit a manuscript for publication in the Conference Proceedings volume. In addition, any protocols, analytical techniques and/or software developed as part of this project will be made available to the public without charge through the Data Portal being developed by the Consortium for the Barcode of Life. In addition, recipients will be expected to submit a final report of their activities and expenses related to the research award.

ALLOWABLE COSTS:

Recipients of research support can use their awards for books, journals, software, data sets, travel for research collaboration, equipment and supplies, and other needs directly related to achieving the results that would be presented at the Second International Barcode Conference.

REVIEW CRITERIA AND PROCESS:

Applications for research support must be submitted by April 20, 2006. However, the DAWG Steering Committee will not review requests for research support until after the May workshop in Paris. They will consider the abstract submitted by each applicant as well as the presentation and other contributions they make during the workshop. All applicants will be informed of the Committee's decisions by May 1, 2006. The Committee will award research support on the basis of:

• What research problem did the applicant select? The Committee will want to support applicants interested in a variety of topics.
• What approach did the applicant propose? The Committee will seek innovative approaches, especially those that integrate biological and mathematical perspectives (e.g., population genetics, taxonomy, statistics, machine learning).
• Is this approach likely to produce a tangible result that will be useful to the Barcode Initiative? Participation in the Paris workshop is the first step toward developing protocols, techniques, software and other deliverables that can be presented at the Second International Barcode Conference and can be disseminated to the research community. The Committee will select those projects with the greatest likelihood of producing benefits to barcode users.
• Will the recipient's involvement enrich the barcoding community? DAWG and the Consortium for the Barcode of Life seek to increase the diversity of people involved in the Barcode Initiative by involving men and women from different countries and diverse fields of science and mathematics.

ELIGIBILITY: Applicants for travel support must be either:

• enrolled in a doctoral degree program at a U.S. university, or
• a post-doctoral fellow who has received his or her doctorate after 1 January 2003 and is currently working at a U.S. university or research institution.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Your Name:

Street Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Phone:

E-mail:

Web page URL:

Include a statement of about 2 pages (please not much longer) that describes:

1. Your approach to the data analysis research challenges of the DNA barcode initiative
2. What "deliverables" (such as code, a paper, etc.) you might have in time for the February 2007 international conference
3. Provide a short letter of recommendation from a faculty member who confirms willingness to mentor you on the research project
4. A budget explaining how you would use your award.
5. A statement expressing your commitment to participate in the February 2007 conference should you be selected to win an award.

* Please email this application for research support to the DNA Barcode Data Analysis Initiative. EMAIL TO BE ANNOUNCED