Program Announcement
Gwendolyn Hardenbergh
NSF 96-79
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science,
Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
The White House, through the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC)
and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), has established the
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering
Mentoring (PAESMEM) Program. The Program, administered on behalf of the
White House by the National Science Foundation, seeks to identify
outstanding mentoring efforts or programs designed to enhance the
participation of groups underrepresented in science, mathematics and
engineering, including minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
The awardees will serve as exemplars to their colleagues and will be leaders
in the national effort to more fully develop the Nation's human resources in
science, mathematics and engineering. Nominations are invited for the first
competition (1996 Mentor Award) for what will become annual awards honoring
individuals, institutions, and organizations that have outstanding records
of mentoring students from underrepresented groups toward significant
achievement in science, mathematics and engineering.
A grant in the amount of $10,000 will accompany the award along with a
commemorative Presidential certificate. The award will be made to: an
individual who has demonstrated outstanding and sustained mentoring and
effective guidance to a significant number of students at the K-12,
undergraduate, or graduate education level; or an institution or
organization that, through its programming, has enabled a substantial number
of students underrepresented in science, mathematics and engineering to
successfully pursue and complete the relevant degree or enhancement
programs. It is expected that each award will be used to continue the
recognized activity. The nominees must have served in such a mentoring role
for at least five years.
Beyond the mentoring grant, each awardee will be invited to Washington, D.C.
for an awards ceremony; recognition events and meetings with leaders in
federal sector education and research; and focused workshops addressing
effective mentoring of students from the underrepresented groups. The first
awardees will be honored at a White House ceremony in May 1996.
Selection Criteria: Nominees will be evaluated by the following:
o The number and diversity of students mentored;
o The success of students mentored in pursuit of
degree objectives and attendant quality of
academic performance;
o Demonstrated achievement in assisting students to
understand how the educational system works and
promoting their advancement in the educational
continuum in science, mathematics or engineering;
o Affording students effective academic/research
experience, sustained academic support systems,
and strategies leading to successful
matriculation and degree completion in science,
mathematics and engineering fields;
o Substantive achievements in changing the educational
system to enable improved performance and advancement for
underrepresented groups; and
o Demonstrated innovation that is replicable.
Additional Criteria For Institutions and Organizations
o Demonstrated quality of institutional life that
fosters the establishment of viable networks that
facilitate learning, contacts, and career developments;
o Demonstrated institutional or organizational
distinctiveness in the advancement or promotion of
the educational and career development of students
in science, mathematics and engineering fields; and
o Demonstrated distinctiveness in carrying out the
institution's or organization's social
responsibility to create a more positive learning
environment by helping to provide an atmosphere
that values diversity among students, faculty,
and administrators.
Nomination and Deadline:
The submission process requires that the individual, institution, or
organization be nominated by a colleague, administrator, institution,
organization, or student. The nomination packet should include:
Individual
o A letter of nomination summarizing activities that
constitute the basis for the nomination (not to
exceed 600 words);
o A curriculum vitae of the nominee (5-page maximum);
o A list of students mentored; and
o Letters of support (a maximum of 5) from colleagues
and students attesting to the nominee's
demonstrable and sustained achievements in the
mentoring of underrepresented students in
science, mathematics and engineering.
Institution or Organization
o A letter of nomination summarizing activities that
constitute the basis for the nomination (not to
exceed 600 words);
o A brief institutional or organizational description;
o A list of activities bearing on students mentored;
and
o Materials documenting the sustained achievements in
mentoring underrepresented and other students.
The nomination deadline is April 15, 1996 and should be sent to:
National Science Foundation
Presidential Awards for Mentoring
Division of Human Resource Development
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 815
Arlington, VA 22230
FAX: (703) 306-0423