Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you describe the application process?
- Is this application an entirely electronic process?
- Where can I find help in completing the application?
- What is the Checklist?
- Is there a list of Senior Fellows, officers and directors of the Foundation?
- Can I use a word processor to cut & paste into the responses boxes?
- What if I have graphics or images included in my project description?
- What are the margin and font size requirements for the program description?
- Can I partially complete a question and come back to complete it later?
- Is there any limitation to my response to a question?
- How is the character size calculated?
- How do I upload a file?
- What is the statement of support from the sponsoring institution?
- Can I have multiple mentors?
- Can I save my application before submitting?
- What materials will I need to complete the application?
- It is almost 10 years since I received my graduate degree, how and where should I explain this length of time?
- What type of research project is the Foundation most interested in funding?
- If I have two mentors will they each be entitled to the $3,000 incentive each year?
- What should I do if I am notified that I will be awarded an NIH-type career development award after I already submitted my Fellowship application?
Can you describe the application
process?
The candidate is responsible for assembling all of the required materials
and completing the application. The Checklist will inform the
candidate what materials are needed and guide the candidate through the
application process. There are three sections to the application:
- Candidate Information –information on the candidate and the project.
- Mentor Information – a statement from the candidate’s mentor(s) and information about the mentor(s).
- Sponsoring Institution Information – this section defines the budget and demonstrates the institution’s endorsement of the project, which is critical as the funds of the project will be given to the sponsoring institution not the candidate.
The entire application can be previewed, printed, and saved prior to submitting to the Foundation. The application must be submitted to the Foundation by 5 p.m. Thursday, November 5, 2009. A panel of reviewers will score the applications. The highest scoring applications will be presented to the Foundation’s board of directors. Candidate interviews will be held in March, 2010. Awards will be made in June and the successful candidates will be invited to the Fellowship Retreat, June 8 - 9, 2010.
Is this application an entirely electronic process?
No, there is one page: Statement of Support from the Sponsoring
Institution, which must be completed and faxed to the Foundation
office. This page contains the Institution’s resource
contribution (financial, facilities, and staff time) as well as the
signature of the person who can obligate the Institution to participate
in the program. The Fax number is on the page to be sent.
Everything else however must be submitted electronically, including the project description, CVs, letters of support, etc.
Where can I find help in completing the application?
There are three places that you can get assistance in completing the
application. The first is from this FAQ. Click on the FAQ on
the blue navigational bar to get to here. This page is available
to you throughout the application process.
Second, you can select the “Email a Question” Tab within the blue navigational bar. A new message form will appear for you to send your question to the Foundation staff.
Also, you can contact
Cara Kenien at:
212.308.7355 x 101 cjk@brookdalefoundation.org
What is the Checklist?
The Checklist is a page to check on your status in completing the
application. A checkmark will appear next to each item of the
application that you have started. It is not necessary to follow
a particular order when completing the application. Click on
a component of the application to enter your response.
There are links back to the Checklist throughout the application process. Use the Checklist in conjunction with the Preview Page to confirm that you’ve entered all of the information prior to submitting the grant.
Is there a list of Senior Fellows,
officers and directors of the Foundation?
The Senior Fellows are: Anne Basting, Richard Bucala, Terry Fulmer,
Bradley Hyman, Diane Rowland and Albert Siu. The directors and
officers of the Foundation are: Stanley Epstein, Arthur Norman Field, Karen Hart,
Andrew Schreier, William Schreier, Stephen L. Schwartz, Rebecca
Shaffer and Mary Ann Van Clief.
Can I use a word processor to cut & paste into the responses boxes?
Yes. In fact, it’s encouraged that you do, so that you can
use the spell and grammar checking features that most word processing
programs offer. There are some formatting limitations, so be sure
to check the preview page to confirm that your entry was accepted
properly. Sometimes there are characters that are mis-interpreted during
the transfer.
What if I have graphics or images included in my project description?
If you have graphics embedded within your project description, then you
will have to use the Upload Program Description feature on the Project
Description Page. The response boxes that are provided are designed to capture text and simple formatting only.
What are the margin and font size requirements for the program
description?
If you've selected to submit your Program Description as a file rather
than entering it into the space provided, then you'll need to keep it
to five pages with a margin of, at least, one inch and a font size no
smaller than 11 point.
Can I partially complete a question and come back to complete it later?
Yes. There are two buttons on the bottom of every page of the
application. The first “Save and Return to the
Checklist” saves your work before returning to the check
list. The second button “Save and Continue
Application” saves your work and continues to the next page of the
application.
If however, you leave a page before clicking on either of these buttons, then whatever information you entered will be lost. Therefore, be very careful about saving your work and limit the number of application windows and browser windows you have open.
Is there any limitation to my response to a question?
Yes. Every question has a page and character limitation.
Most word processors have a tool within them that will count the page
length and number of characters automatically. For example within
Microsoft Word, the tool is located in the Tools pull down menu and
within Word Count.
How is the character size calculated?
The application counts the letters, digits and spaces that are submitted.
In certain situations, the system may accidentally count some hidden formatting
codes as characters. If you believe you have the correct count, but are
encountering a problem, please try copying and pasting your response first
into a text editor, such as Notepad, and then copy and paste again from
there into the text box. If there still is a problem, please contact us.
How do I upload a file?
There are several places to submit specific documents to accompany your
application. In each case, the process is the same. Click on
the “Browse” button to the right of the item that you want
to upload. Identify the document on your computer using the menu
that is provided. Navigate through your
files to find the item that you would like to upload and select the
“Upload” button. The path of the item will be
listed.
To confirm that the appropriate documents were uploaded, visit the Preview Application and Submit Page. At the bottom of that page all of the uploaded documents will be listed. Click on them and the uploaded file will be displayed.
What is the statement of support from the sponsoring institution?
This is a critical document of the application. It
demonstrates to the Foundation that the sponsoring institution is
endorsing your project and will contribute additional resources to
the project.
It’s essential that this page be completed, signed and faxed to the Foundation in order for your application to be accepted for review.
Can I have multiple mentors?
Yes. When you complete the “Cover Sheet” be sure to
complete the second (optional) mentor’s information. When
this is completed, it notifies the system to provide a second set of forms to be
completed for the second mentor. Mentor(s) can be at another institution, but you must explain why this is necessary, and the Mentor’s Statement must include a stated commitment to the candidate for the two-year period of the Fellowship Project.
Can I save my application before submitting?
Yes. The Preview Application and Submit page will allow you to
print the page. The formatting of the printable version of this
page is a good page to save. Use your browser’s
functionality (File/Save As) to save the file to your local
computer.
Please note, that this will not save the attached files or the faxed copy of the Statement of Support from the Sponsoring Institution.
What materials will I
need to complete the application?
Here are the required materials that candidates will need to complete
the application:
- Statement of Leadership Role in Aging
- Research Project Abstract
- Project Description outlining the project's basic theoretical orientation, the goals and objectives of the project and its methodology
- Statement of Project’s Current and Future Significance to the Field including a statement of the issue, how the candidate and the mentor(s) will address the issue and what impact the project will have in the broader picture in the field of aging
- Statement of 10 Year Career Plan and Action Steps with special emphasis on relevance to the field of aging, why the candidate thinks s/he should become a Brookdale Fellow, description of activities that demonstrate professional accomplishments, and any special career or personal circumstances that should be taken into consideration
- Participation in Active Grants and/or Research Projects
- Candidate’s CV
- Up to Three (3) Letters of Support, one of which should be from the Department Chair or Dean
- Statement from the Mentor(s) which addresses the following:
- The candidate’s leadership potential
- Plans for candidate’s career development and supervision
- Role as mentor in assisting candidate with the project and career development, and
- Experience with mentoring
- Mentor’s Participation in Active Grants
- Mentor’s CV(s)
- Proposed Project Budget from the Sponsoring Institution
- Sponsoring Institution’s Resource Support
- Verification of Tax Exempt Status
- Signed Statement of Support from Sponsoring Institution
It is almost 10 years since I received my graduate degree,
how and where should I explain this length of time?
Candidates who are up to ten years from their graduate degree should explain
the particular circumstances that warrant consideration in Section I, Career
Information. Examples of special circumstances include: 1) candidates whose
period following their graduate degree (including internship, residency and
fellowship training) exceeds Brookdale’s ten year guideline; 2) candidates who,
following specialty training, switch to geriatrics; 3) candidates who are changing
the focus of their work to the field of aging; and 4) career suspensions due
to family responsibilities.
What type of research project is the Foundation most interested in funding?
The Foundation is most interested in funding emerging leaders in the field of aging.
In addition to evidence of a commitment to a career in aging, the candidate must describe
experience in leadership roles, in presenting materials, and participation in professional
meetings. The leadership potential of the candidate will count up to 10 points in the
review process. The research project must be focused on an area in aging, must be viable
and must contribute to the candidate’s experience and expertise. The research project will
count up to 5 points in the review process.
If I have two mentors will they each be entitled to the $3,000 incentive each year?
No, The Brookdale Foundation will provide $3,000 each year for the two years of the Fellowship
to the sponsoring institution to distribute to the mentor. If there are two mentors, then the
amount could be divided between each of them or one mentor could receive it one year and the
other mentor the next. If the mentor(s) are not at the sponsoring institution, it is the
responsibility of the sponsoring institution to pass along the financial incentive to the mentor.
What should I do if I am notified that I will be awarded an NIH-type career development
award after I already submitted my Fellowship application?
Your application will still go through the review process, including being interviewed by the
board of directors, and if selected to be a Fellow, you will be eligible to participate in the
Fellowship network and retreats, but not receive the salary support from the Brookdale award
during the period you receive salary support from the other career development award. Please
notify Cara Kenien as soon as you know the status of your NIH-type career development award.