Scholarship : Collaborative Research Travel Grants – John Hopkins University, USA

Scholarship Introduction:
To capitalize on what appears to be an opportunity to provide relatively unrestricted travel funds to academic scientists and trainees and to provide a stimulus for those working or contemplating working at the interface of science, the BWF Board approved a new program to provide travel grants that can be used both internationally and domestically to acquire new research techniques, to promote collaborations, and to attend courses. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or are studying for a Ph.D. in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, statistics, or engineering and are interested in investigating research opportunities in the biological sciences. From 1978 through 2000 BWF ran a travel grants program that enabled U.S. and Canadian scientists to participate in collaborative research projects for two weeks to six months in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. At the time, it was the longest running program at BWF. During that period more than 800 travel grant applications were received and almost 700 funded. Travel grants went to individuals at many institutions that normally would not have received a BWF grant and the grants provided support for a wide range of biomedical research activities. An outcomes survey was done on three years of grantees (1995-1997). At the time of the survey (1999), 77% of the respondents indicated an on-going collaboration with the host lab and 78% claimed they could not have made the trip without BWF support. One of the considerations that came from the survey was that the overall value and utility of the program could be enhanced by opening the program to travel worldwide rather than just to the United Kingdom. A variation of the original Research Travel Grant program was run in 2009 and it provided small grants of up to $5,000 for trainees currently working in the laboratories of BWF Career Awardees. These awards could be used for travel to a laboratory to begin collaboration or acquire new research techniques, travel to a national or international meeting to present a paper or poster, or organize and chair a panel at a national or international meeting. An advisory committee met in December 2009 and recommended funding for 86 trainees. Although there is no outcome data yet for this particular program, the breadth and range of the proposals indicate a place for this type of award.

Eligibility for scholarship:
This program is open to Ph.D. candidates, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or are studying for a Ph.D. in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, statistics, or engineering who are interested in investigating research opportunities in the biological sciences or to biologists interested in working with physical scientists, mathematicians, engineers, chemists, statisticians, or computer scientists to incorporate their ideas and approaches to answering biological questions. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or Canada at the time of application.Grants are not intended to support travel to domestic or international meetings.Active BWF award recipients are not eligible to apply.

Application form: http://www.bwfund.org/pages/490/CRTG-Forms-and-Resources/

How to apply: http://www.bwfund.org/pages/496/CRTG-FAQ:–Application-Format/Logistics/

Last date to apply:
The last date to apply is December 1 , 2010

Source: http://www.bwfund.org/pages/480/Background/

PhD Studentship in Modelling and Simulation of Coal-fired Supercritical Power Plants, England

A project is funded by Biomass and Fossil Fuel Research Alliance (BF2RA). The project is aimed at investigating whether a supercritical power plant with post-combustion CO2 capture plant can satisfy the UK Grid requirements. The study will be carried out through modelling and simulation. A major power generation company in the UK will be closely involved.

The candidate sought is expected to have a strong interest in modelling and simulation for power generation systems and preferably with thermal energy or chemical engineering background. Good understanding of power generation principles and exposure to chemical engineering are desirable. The PhD studentship is expected to start from 1st Nov. 2010.

Academic Qualifications:
The candidate must be able to demonstrate "a capability to undertake and benefit from research training through to completion, to the standard necessary to qualify for a PhD." This normally requires an upper second class honours degree, or a combination of qualifications and/or experience equivalent to that level.

Residence Requirements:
This fully funded PhD Studentship (including overseas tuition fee and stipends for a period of three years) is open to all applicants (i.e. including candidates from Overseas).