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Do I need to be a US citizen to apply to the program?
No, however you do need to be affiliated with an institution, medical center, or research institute in the United States as we cannot transfer funds internationally.
Can I apply to both the ADNI and HABS-HD programs or do I need to choose one? Is the training specific to ADNI or HABS-HD depending on which one I apply to?
Because the datasets have a slightly different focus, we encourage you to apply to the program that is best matched to your interests. Regardless of which program you select, the training curriculum is the same and you will receive the same resources and information.
You may wish to search the respective data dictionaries for more information:
What is the definition of "early career faculty" and what type of graduate students are eligible?
Early career faculty is defined as no more than 10 years from receipt of a doctorate-level degree (i.e. PhD, MD, DO, DDS, PsyD, ScD, DPhil, PharmD, JD, etc.). Please note this list is illustrative rather than exhaustive. Research Scientists with a doctorate-level degree earned within the last 10 years are also included in this career category and are welcome to apply.
Any graduate/medical/professional student in a doctorate-level program (working toward any of the degrees enumerated above) is welcome to apply.
How do I access the ADNI and/or HABS-HD data? Am I limited to only these datasets in my research proposal?
You will be provided with information on how to access the data sets once you are accepted into the program. If you have questions about whether your proposed project is feasible with the data set, we recommend you reach out to the respective study prior to applying to the program. Any further questions can be directed to the HESP Project Managers.
You may wish to search the respective data dictionaries for more information:
Please note: you are not limited to using only ADNI or HABS-HD data; however, ADNI or HABS-HD data must be incorporated into at least one of your Specific Aims.
Is there a format for the career development plan, research plan and letter of support from my mentor? What should be included in them?
The guidelines and format for these documents is listed on the Apply Here page of the website. You can look up the NIH instructions for a K or F award application and use that as a template if you wish. We highly encourage you to be specific and use clear metrics for what you think will be markers of success.
Documents should have the following characteristics:
- Single-spaced
- 8.5×11” pages with 0.5” margins
- Fonts: Calibri, Arial or Times New Roman
- Font size 11 or 12
- Citations do not count in the page limits
The program is a two-year commitment, but the budget is listed for only one year. Do I need to submit a budget and budget justification for one year or two years? Are there limitations on how the funds can be used?
You will need to submit a budget and budget justification with your application for the first year only. Although the program is a two-year commitment, funding in the second year is contingent upon satisfactory performance in the program, adequate progress on the outlined research project, and availability of funding.
The Apply Here page of the website has document guidelines and templates you should use to ensure compliance with the outlined requirements. Please beware of the correct project period dates depending on which program you apply to.
Applicants can refer to the NIH cost allowability guidelines when setting up their budgets. We recommend checking with your office of Research and Sponsored Programs to ensure compliance with federal spending requirements prior to applying.
Do I need to be employed by a university or institution to qualify as a postdoc or early career faculty?
To facilitate disbursement of the award, you will need to be a student at, or employed by a university, institution, medical center, or research facility in the United States.
When is the best time in my career plan to apply?
It is up to you when you decide to apply. Generally, you would want to apply at the point where you will make a strong candidate and have the required 50% FTE (minimum) to commit to your research project and career development activities. You will also want to consider that the program is a two-year commitment.
I am in transition finishing up my postdoc, but not yet in an early career faculty position. Do I need any additional documentation from my institution?
We recommend addressing this in your career development plan, clearly specifying which HESP career stage you are applying for (e.g., postdoc or early career faculty). Your institutional letter of support should confirm your current career stage and any transition plans, if applicable.
Please note that HESP is a two-year commitment, and you cannot change your funding career level once accepted. Additionally, some institutions do not permit subawards for a different career stage than your current status, so we strongly advise checking with your institution before applying.
How many scholars will be accepted into the cohort?
Cohort size varies each year and depends on the applicant pool, strength of applications, and available funding. Final decisions on the number of scholars cannot be made until we receive the annual Notice of Award (NOA) from ADNI and HABS‑HD in September.
Our program typically supports scholars for two years—contingent upon satisfactory performance in the program, adequate progress on the outlined research project, and availability of funding. We anticipate supporting two scholars at each career level—one in their first year and one in their second year—for both ADNI and HABS‑HD. This means we generally expect to accept one new scholar per career level each year (early‑career faculty, postdoctoral fellow, and graduate student) for each program.
What are characteristics of successful applicants to your program?
Successful applicants usually demonstrate a trajectory towards an independent research career. In addition, they have a clear and well-reasoned career development plan, not just an outstanding research plan. Their proposed research hypotheses are reasonable, feasible, and incorporate either ADNI and/or HABS-HD data.
Applicants who are ultimately not offered a funded slot in the program may be allowed to participate in HESP seminars upon request and approval by HESP leadership.
If my application is not accepted, can I reapply next year? Will I receive feedback on my application?
If you are not accepted into the program, you may apply again the following year. We do not provide feedback on applications at this time, but we may in future years.
Applicants who are ultimately not offered a funded slot in the program may be allowed to participate in HESP seminars upon request and approval by HESP leadership.
Who would make the best mentor for this program? Can I have more than one mentor or change mentors?
The best mentor is whoever you think is the best for you. It should ideally be somebody at your local institution who is committed to you, familiar with your project, and well equipped to foster your professional development. You may have more than one mentor if necessary, and we prefer you keep the same mentor throughout the program, though we would also support a change in mentor if the need arises.
What is the program timeline?
Applications usually open in late January or early February for an eight-week timeframe followed by a rigorous external review process. Applicants will be notified of their status by mid September. Programming will commence in late September through the following August each year. The awards will be disbursed for a year; however research projects may be completed past the end date of your funding.
Please note that participation in the HESP is a two-year commitment. A second year of funding is not guaranteed and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, adequate progress on the outlined research project, and availability of funding.
HESP scholars are welcome to continue attending HESP didactics after their required time in the program has concluded. “Once a HESP Scholar, always a HESP Scholar.”
What are some of the professional development activities and how often are the meetings throughout the year?
In addition to their scheduled career development activities, HESP scholars meet bimonthly, as a group, for didactics that can take a variety of formats including seminars, journal clubs, “Research in Progress” presentations, “Meet the Scientists” sessions, and scientific writing workshops, in addition to ad hoc 1:1 consultations with HESP leadership. Scholars and their mentors also meet with HESP leadership twice each year to evaluate progress in the program.
I already receive funding from my institution, would this award be in addition to that? How will it get disbursed and will funds be available right away?
This will depend on your institution. Some institutions have restrictions/caps on funding, and it is always a great idea to reach out to your relevant institutional official for clarification beforehand.
Funds are not available right away and may take a few weeks to become available. A subaward contract needs to be finalized between your institution and the University of Wisconsin-Madison before spending will be reimbursed. Once the contract is finalized, your institution will invoice UW-Madison for your salary and expenses so the stipend can be transferred to your institution as a subaward.
What is the duration of the funding?
The HESP is a two-year commitment and funding is awarded for the duration of one year. Funding for the second year in the program is not guaranteed and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, adequate progress on the outlined research project, and availability of funding.
How are indirect costs handled?
The total subaward amount is inclusive of direct and indirect costs. That means indirect costs will be taken out of the total subaward amount. You will need to reach out to your Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to determine what that amount will be. Indirect costs go directly to the scholar’s institution and may not be used by the award recipient.
Do I need to shift my percent effort at my institution or is this considered outside of my effort?
The HESP is part of your overall effort. Your application will require an institutional letter affirming that you have at least 50% FTE to devote to your research project, career development, and HESP-related activities.