Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards
The Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards provide seed money for research by junior faculty at Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) member institutions. These awards are intended to enrich the research and professional growth of young faculty and result in new funding opportunities. In 2007, ORAU received 93 applications and awarded 30 grants.
2007 Powe Award Winners
See a complete list of winners for the 2007 Powe Awards program.
How to Apply
Junior faculty members will submit their completed applications to their institution's ORAU Councilor. The ORAU Councilor will transmit the institutional submission to ORAU.
- Instructions for Applicants
Detailed instructions for junior faculty who wish to apply for the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards. - Instructions for ORAU Member Councilors
Detailed instructions for councilors at member institutions.
Deadlines
All applications must be received electronically in the Partnership Development Office by close of business on February 1, 2008. Fax submittals will not be accepted. Applications will be reviewed in March/April, and awards will be announced in late May.
Eligibility
Full-time assistant professors at ORAU member institutions within two years of their initial tenure track appointment (2/1/2006 through 2/1/2008) at the time of application are eligible. If there is a question on eligibility, the ORAU Councilor makes the final decision.
Technical Areas
The research project must be in one of the following five disciplines:
- Engineering and Applied Science
- Life Sciences
- Mathematics/Computer Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Policy, Management, or Education.
Number of Submissions
Each ORAU member councilor may submit up to two applications each year.
Funding
Funding is provided exclusively from non-federal monies by ORAU and as such is limited only by the terms of the agreement between ORAU and the recipient. The award amount provided by ORAU is $5,000. The applicant’s institution is required to match the award with at least an additional $5,000. This is a one-year grant (June 1 to May 31).
The institution’s award can include funds for travel, equipment, or other assistance relevant to the faculty’s research. ORAU does not allow overhead charges or indirect costs on the award from ORAU or the university match.
Research Collaborations
Applicants are encouraged to develop research collaborations with government, private-sector, and other academic researchers. Such alliances enrich and extend not only the reach of your efforts, but the nation's research enterprise, overall.
Because of the close working relationship with ORAU, the Policy Committee particularly emphasizes interactions with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Thus, substantive interdisciplinary research and inter-institutional research partnerships will be considered as very positive factors in the review process, and will increase chances for success.
Diverse Participant Population
ORAU is committed to the promotion of underrepresented groups in science and engineering.
Selection Process
Application reviews will be coordinated by ORAU councilors and conducted by scholars with expertise in the discipline of the application. Each application will receive three independent reviews. Final selection of awardees will be made by the ORAU Policy Committee.
Reporting
A final one- to two-page report must be submitted within one year of receipt of the award.
