FAQs about the SSP Fellowship

What is the SSP Fellowship?

The SSP Fellowship offers under-resourced high school science and math teachers funds and training to support the success of their most enthusiastic science students in independent scientific research. The SSP Fellowship attracts the most creative and motivated science and math teachers. The goal is to enable Fellows to guide students to competitive participation in local, state and regional science fairs, and national competitions, such as SSP’s Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and the Intel Science Talent Search.  The selected Fellows from 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 have the option to renew the grant up to four years.  The SSP Fellowship Program will continue to fund the existing classes, but at this time the program is closed to new applicants.

Fellows will help students design an original independent research project that will be carried out over the course of 3-4 years. Often such projects are performed in collaboration with local volunteer university or industry-based scientists. One of the obligations of the Fellow is to help students identify appropriate research environments to carry out their work and to ensure the ongoing success of the student-scientist relationship where the project is to be carried out in coordination with a scientist.

How were the SSP Fellowship applicants selected?

Selected applicants demonstrated:

• A strong interest in research; actual research experience is not required.
• An active engagement in 9-12 grade science. If not actively teaching at this time, the applicant must demonstrate access to students to mentor.
• Teaching credentials or certification.
• A school with an enrollment that is at least 40% underrepresented minority and/or with at least 30% of students receiving free or reduced rate lunches.
• Demonstrated evidence of engagement with students (e.g. participation in field trips, science clubs, science fair, mentorship activities; support of independent research).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

What support do SSP Fellows receive?

A stipend is up to $8,500/year, depending on proposed budget, demonstrated need, support of the school and needs of the student population, renewable up to four years. In addition, Fellows received full support to attend the summer Fellows Institute.

What is the selection Criteria?

• Demonstrated interest in science and scientific research.
• Ideas for initiating and maintaining a mentorship program over the next 4 years.
• Likelihood of providing students with an intensive, rewarding research experience.
• Ability to contribute to the activities of SSP and mentor students to participate in SSP education competitions such as the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair and the Intel Science Talent Search.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
• Creativity and innovation of methodology.
• Administration support of teacher.

What is expected of an SSP Fellow?

• Attendance at a summer Fellows Institute.
• Recruit at least five students in the 9th or 10th grade in year one who commit to an eight- to twelve-month science mentor program to do project-based research. Students must agree to meet regularly with the Fellow, communicate via e-mail frequently with the Fellow and participate in an evaluation process.
• Commit to at least one year with the possibility for non-competitive renewal up to three times, for a total of up to four years. The Fellow will be reviewed after each year to determine continued funding.
• Collaborate with SSP outreach program staff to create community support network for the program on the outreach website.
• Provide ongoing progress and information. Keep the SSP outreach program team informed of news/activities that impact youth activities with Fellows Program (both positively and negatively) through the outreach website.
• Help implement evaluation procedures to establish best practices.
• Submit monthly reports online about progress and/or problems to SSP Outreach program partners through the identified reporting tools provided on the outreach website.

What is the school's obligation?

• To write a letter of recommendation in support of your application and demonstrating tangible support of your program.
• There is no limit to the number of teachers who may apply from one school.
• Teachers apply directly; they are not nominated by their school or district.

How do I apply?

Applications must be submitted electronically using the online application form. CV or resume and letter of recommendation should be uploaded directly during the application submission. The web form is both PC and MAC compatible and can be accessed using dial-up or high-speed internet.

What is the application deadline?

The SSP Fellowship Program is closed to new applicants at this time.  The current SSP Fellows will continue to receive funding until the expiration of the grant.

Contact us for more information about the SSP Fellowship

FAQs about the SSP Fellowship

What is the SSP Fellowship?

The SSP Fellowship offers under-resourced high school science and math teachers funds and training to support the success of their most enthusiastic science students in independent scientific research. The SSP Fellowship attracts the most creative and motivated science and math teachers. The goal is to enable Fellows to guide students to competitive participation in local, state and regional science fairs, and national competitions, such as SSP’s Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and the Intel Science Talent Search.

Fellows will help students design an original independent research project that will be carried out over the course of 3-4 years. Often such projects are performed in collaboration with local volunteer university or industry-based scientists. One of the obligations of the Fellow is to help students identify appropriate research environments to carry out their work and to ensure the ongoing success of the student-scientist relationship where the project is to be carried out in coordination with a scientist.

Who is eligibile to apply?

SSP Fellowship applicants much have

• A demonstrated interest in research; actual research experience is not required.
• An active engagement in 9-12 grade science. If not actively teaching at this time, the applicant must demonstrate access to students to mentor.
• Teaching credentials or certification.
• A school with an enrollment that is at least 40% underrepresented minority and/or with at least 30% of students receiving free or reduced rate lunches.
• Demonstrated evidence of engagement with students (e.g. participation in field trips, science clubs, science fair, mentorship activities; support of independent research).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• The ability to attend Fellows Institute in Washington, DC—July 30 through August 4, 2012.

What support would i receive as an SSP Fellow?

A stipend is up to $8,500/year, depending on proposed budget, demonstrated need, support of the school and needs of the student population. In addition, full support to attend the Fellows Institute from July 30 to August 4, 2012 in Washington, DC.

What is the selection Criteria?

• Demonstrated interest in science and scientific research.
• Ideas for initiating and maintaining a mentorship program over the next 4 years.
• Likelihood of providing students with an intensive, rewarding research experience.
• Ability to contribute to the activities of SSP and mentor students to participate in SSP education competitions such as the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair and the Intel Science Talent Search.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
• Creativity and innovation of methodology.
• Administration support of teacher.

What is My Obligation

• Attendance at the Fellows Institute, July 30-August 4, 2011.
• Recruit at least five students in the 9th or 10th grade in year one who commit to an eight- to twelve-month science mentor program to do project-based research. Students must agree to meet regularly with the Fellow, communicate via e-mail frequently with the Fellow and participate in an evaluation process.
• Commit to at least one year with the possibility for non-competitive renewal up to three times, for a total of up to four years. The Fellow will be reviewed after each year to determine continued funding.
• Collaborate with SSP outreach program staff to create community support network for the program on the outreach website.
• Provide ongoing progress and information. Keep the SSP outreach program team informed of news/activities that impact youth activities with Fellows Program (both positively and negatively) through the outreach website.
• Help implement evaluation procedures to establish best practices.
• Submit monthly reports online about progress and/or problems to SSP Outreach program partners through the identified reporting tools provided on the outreach website.

What is my school's obligation?

• To write a letter of recommendation in support of your application and demonstrating tangible support of your program.
• There is no limit to the number of teachers who may apply from one school.
• Teachers apply directly; they are not nominated by their school or district.

How do I apply?

Applications must be submitted electronically using the online application form. CV or resume and letter of recommendation should be uploaded directly during the application submission. The web form is both PC and MAC compatible and can be accessed using dial-up or high-speed internet.

What is the application deadline?

The 2012 SSP Fellowship Application opened on November 16, 2011, and the submission deadline was Wednesday, February 1, 2012. 

How will I know if my application is received?

All applicants are notified electronically via email after the application is completed and submitted online.

Do I need special software or hardware to use the online system?

No, all you need are a computer with internet access and two items of free software that are commonly pre-installed on computers.

• A web browser (such as Internet Explorer or Firefox)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader

Word-processing software can be used (but is not necessary) to develop answers outside the online system and then cut and paste into the macro fields of the online application.

Where can I find program information, application instructions, and other information?

www.societyforscience.org/fellowship

Contact us for more information about the SSP Fellowship