AWS Research Fellowships
AWS FOUNDATION:RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
AWS FELLOWSHIPS

To:    Professors Engaged in Joining Research

Subject:    Request for Proposals for AWS Fellowships for the 2009-10 Academic Year
   
The American Welding Society (AWS) seeks to foster university research in joining and to recognize outstanding faculty and student talent. We are again requesting your proposals for consideration by AWS.

It is expected that the winning researchers will take advantage of the opportunity to work with industry committees interested in the research topics and report work in progress.

Please note, there are important changes in the schedule which you must follow in order to enable the awards to be made in a timely fashion. Proposals must be received at American Welding Society by February 17, 2009. New AWS Fellowships will be announced at the AWS Annual Meeting, November 2009.

THE AWARDS

The Fellowships or Grants are to be in amounts of up to $25,000 per year. A maximum of four students are funded for a period of up to three years of research at any one time. However, progress reports and requests for renewal must be submitted for the second and third years. Renewal by AWS will be contingent on demonstration of reasonable progress in the research or in graduate studies.

The AWS Fellowship is awarded to the student for graduate research toward a Masters or Ph.D. Degree under a sponsoring professor at a North American University. The qualifications of the Graduate Student are key elements to be considered in the award. The academic credentials, plans and research history (if any) of the student should be provided. The student must prepare the proposal for the AWS Fellowship. However, the proposal must be under the auspices of a professor and accompanied by one or more letters of recommendation from the sponsoring professor or others acquainted with the student's technical capabilities. Topics for the AWS Fellowship may span the full range of the joining industry. Should the student selected by AWS be unable to accept the Fellowship or continue with the research at any time during the period of the award, the award will be forfeited and no (further) funding provided by AWS. The bulk of AWS funding should be for student support. AWS reserves the right not to make awards in the event that its Committee finds all candidates unsatisfactory.

DETAILS

The Proposal should include:
  1. Executive Summary
  2. Annualized Breakdown of Funding Required and Purpose of Funds (Student Salary, Tuition, etc.)
  3. Matching Funding or Other Support for Intended Research
  4. Duration of Project
  5. Statement of Problem and Objectives
  6. Current Status of Relevant Research
  7. Technical Plan of Action
  8. Qualifications of Researchers
  9. Pertinent Literature References and Related Publications
  10. Special Equipment Required and Availability
  11. Statement of Critical Issues Which Will Influence Success or Failure of Research
    12.
In addition, the proposal must include:
  1. Student's Academic History, Resume and Transcript
  2. Recommendation(s) Indicating Qualifications for Research
  3. Brief Section or Commentary on Importance of Research to the Welding Community and to AWS, Including Technical Merit, National Need, Long Term Benefits, etc.
  4. Statement Regarding Probability of Success
The technical portion of the Proposal should be about ten typewritten pages; maximum pages for the Proposal should be twenty-five typewritten pages. Maximum file size should be 2 megabytes. It is recommended that the Proposal be typed in a minimum of 12-point font in Times, Times New Roman, or equivalent. Proposal should be sent electronically by February 17, 2009 to:

            Vicki Pinsky (vpinsky@aws.org)
            Manager, Foundation
            American Welding Society
            550 N.W. LeJeune Rd., Miami, FL  33126

Yours sincerely,

Ray W. Shook
Executive Director
American Welding Society