The Evidence-based Policymaking Faculty (EPF) Fellowship Program supports faculty members to partner with the EIC's Results First Team to develop, execute, and maintain policy-relevant efforts to bring innovation and insights to growth areas. The EPF Fellowship is intended to incubate collaborative translational activities, including but not limited to formal research, programs, and outreach, with the aim to secure eventual sustainability and growth through external funding opportunities. Key to this program 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 and the University (more information can be found at evidence2impact.psu.edu and strategicplan.psu.edu). Priority will also be given to applications that showcase complementarity and value-added synergy with existing programs, initiatives, and efforts.
EPF Fellowship Opportunities:
Fellowships provide funding for a faculty member for up to two course releases during one academic year (up to $7,500 per course or the equivalent for those who do not have resident instruction responsibilities).
Eligibility:
Penn State faculty members and established research scientists at any campus at all career levels are eligible.
Application Process:
Applications should first be submitted for approval to the Department Heads for course releases or other protected time. Once the Heads' approval is obtained, the application should be sent to EICEPF@psu.edu.
Timeline:
- February 18, 2022: Deans forward up to two Fellowship proposals, along with their own and the Department Head(s) statements of support, 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: Faculty members will be notified of funding for the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 academic sessions. Fellows should work directly with their Department Heads to schedule course/release time.
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 Faculty Fellowship
- Describe the research area and its significance.
- Describe policy relevance.
- Explain how the Fellowship will play a significant role in advancing the Fellow’s research program.
- 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 each Fellow and their qualifications for their roles.
- Explain how the Fellowship will lead to a proposal for external funding.
- Attach statements of support from Department Head(s).
- Attach NSF or NIH biosketch for each investigator and mentor.
Application Review Criteria:
- Merits of the proposal, including its innovation, significance, and relevance to the EIC, SSRI, and University mission 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, and clarity of roles for the Fellow(s).
- Clarity, rigor, and feasibility of the work plan including the need for 30% time.
- Likelihood of an external proposal resulting from Fellowship.
Progress Reporting:
Awardees are required to provide a progress report at the conclusion of the semester funding period, highlighting progress made, tangible outcomes (e.g., papers, presentations), intangible or non-traditional impact evaluation (broadly defined, to include non-academic presentations, legislative and administrative impacts, news media coverage, internal and external recognition, etc.), as well as the plan and timeline for an external grant proposal. Follow-ups will be requested until targeted external funding is secured or the project is closed.