2012 General Information

The program
The IGERT rogram's main goal is to strengthen the language science community at University of Maryland by offering students and faculty venues and resources for interdisciplinary training and collaborative research. The program offers a number of generous 2-year fellowships for students, but we can't emphasize enough that funding is only one component of this ambitious program that is providing a broad array of resources for interdisciplinary academic and professional development.

Benefits of Participation
For students
- engage in innovative interdisciplinary training
- develop research skills not normally available in a single department
- participate in collaborative research
- learn to communicate with diverse groups, contribute to scientific outreach
- develop leadership skills through student-led initiatives
- success enhanced by strong peer support network
- funding for research and travel

For faculty/departments
- cutting-edge training enhances students' career prospects
- professional development activities help students' presentation and communication skills
- students can bring new expertise to the home department
- student projects can foster lasting cross-department collaborations
- access to additional funding for research and travel
- enhances department visibility and supports recruiting outstanding students
- improves department's ability to compete for new grants, gifts, etc.
- be an integral part of the largest language science community in N America, a U of MD priority area

Eligibility
Application is open to ALL currently enrolled U of Maryland PhD students who are able to pursue the program, regardless of citizenship, current funding status, advisor, or home PhD program. Although NSF training funds can only be used to support US citizens and permanent residents (i.e., green card holders), all students may participate in the program. Some non-NSF funds have been secured to help to support students who are not able to receive NSF funds.

Key Dates:
March 12th notify program via e-mail of intent to apply
March 28th all application materials due - electronic submission only
Mid April admission decisions & NSF funding commitments
TBA additional funding commitments - contingent upon budget

Email contacts: Csilla Kajtar (ckajtar@umd.edu), Colin Phillips (colin@umd.edu)

Note: a pdf version of the Guidelines for Applicants can be found here. Prospective students and their advisors are encouraged to consult this document, which articulates in much more detail the goals of the program, the potential benefits, and the different components of the project.