Research fellowships

To:    Professors Engaged in Joining Research
Subject:    Request for Proposals for AWS Fellowships
Deadline:   April 15, 2024

The American Welding Society (AWS) Foundation seeks to foster university research in joining and to recognize outstanding faculty and student talent.  We are requesting your proposals for consideration by the AWS Foundation.

The Research Fellowships are $35,000 per year.  $17,500 installments are paid following the submission of progress statements on November 1^st and March 1^st. Proposals may be funded for a period of up to three years, however, renewal applications 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.

Proposals must be received by April 15, 2024 at jdouglass@aws.org. New Fellowships will be announced in May 2024. The AWS Foundation reserves the right not to make awards if the Committee does not find any satisfactory candidates.

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 in the application package. The student must prepare the proposal for the AWS Fellowship. However, the proposal must be developed under the guidance of a professor and accompanied by letters of recommendation from the sponsoring professor and others acquainted with the student's technical capabilities. 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 will be provided by the AWS Foundation. The bulk of funding should be for student support.

RESEARCH TOPICS
Topics for the AWS Fellowship may span the full range of the joining industry. Proposals for both applied and fundamental research topics are welcome.

DETAILS
The technical portion of the proposal package 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 the Student Researcher and Professor
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

The technical portion of the proposal should not exceed 15 typewritten pages. The title page, which may include the executive summary, is not included in the page count limit. The maximum file size for the technical portion is 2 megabytes. Proposals that exceed either the page limit or file size limit will be considered non-conforming and will not be evaluated.

In addition, the proposal must include:

1. Student's Academic History, Resume and Transcript (Both undergraduate and graduate)
2. Recommendation(s) Indicating Qualifications for Research must include one or more letters of recommendation from the sponsoring professor or others acquainted with the student's technical capabilities. A maximum of three support letters may be submitted.
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

Proposal should be typed in a minimum of 12-point font in Times, Times New Roman, or equivalent. Proposals received after the deadline will not be evaluated. Proposals should be sent electronically by April 15, 2024 to John Douglass, Associate Director, AWS Foundation at jdouglass@aws.org.

AWARD REQUIREMENTS 
Recipients will be expected to submit at least one manuscript for publication in the Welding Journal Research Supplement and to present in the Professional Program at a future FABTECH Conference event during the time you are funded under this fellowship (up to three years). The manuscript will be reviewed just like all other submissions, and no special treatment will be given during review resulting from the AWS Graduate Fellowship status.

2023 - 24 Graduate Research Fellowships

AWS FELLOWSHIP

Ian Wietecha-Remain
The Pennsylvania State University
Investigating the Interaction Between Fatigue Response and Complex Inclusions in Additively Manufactured Austenitic Stainless Steels
Under the guidance of Dr. Todd Palmer, The Pennsylvania State University.

Flint Colvin
The Ohio State University
Ultrasonic Assisted Soldering of Metallized-Polymer Current Collectors for Thermal Runaway Resistant Li-Ion Batteries
Under the guidance of Dr. Avi Benatar, Ohio State University.

Ravikiran Kopparthi
University of Alberta
Bond Formation Mechanism of High-Frequency Electric Resistance Welded X65 Pipeline Steel
Under the guidance of Dr. Leijun Li, University of Alberta.

William Siefert
The Ohio State University
Local Mechanical Behavior and Hydrogen Assisted Cracking in the Fusion Boundary Region of Dissimilar Metal Welds
Under the guidance of Dr. Boian Alexandrov, The Ohio State University.

Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Fellowship
Alisha Cardanini
University of Alberta
Optimal Location of CVN Notch for HAZ Testing of Single and Multi-Pass Steel Welds
Under the guidance of Dr. Patricio Mendez, University of Alberta