Student Sabbatical

This program is currently suspended due to COVID-19 and will be reactivated at a future point in time, when appropriate. 

The Cell Biology Training Program (CBTP) at West Virginia University WVU is now accepting applications for the 2020 Graduate Student Sabbatical Award. This award provides funds to directly support an extended off-campus research internship with a previously identified faculty mentor. The award is designed to enhance doctoral training in cell biology and/or biomedical engineering by providing exposure to techniques, resources, and/or training environments that are otherwise unavailable at WVU.  

The successful applicant will receive a one-time award of up to $4,000. Funds can be used to cover travel, lodging, meals, and/or research supplies needed to complete the project.

Eligibility Requirements

• Advanced graduate student (year 2+) in the WVU PhD program in biomedical sciences or biomedical engineering
• Trainee or associate scholar of WVU CBTP

Application Instructions

To be considered for the award, students must submit a proposal that includes:

• Research Description: Prepare a 2-3 page single spaced (Times or Helvetica 12pt, 1” margins) proposal that succinctly describes the training goals and objectives of the student sabbatical (new techniques to be learned, etc.) and how this experiential learning activity will augment your doctoral training. Proposals MUST clearly articulate how the sabbatical will fill a critical gap in training that otherwise could not be accomplished at WVU.
• Budget: Prepare a detailed budget of anticipated costs for the project, including travel, lodging, and living expenses that will be incurred.
• Recommendation letter: Include a letter from your PhD mentor at WVU that describes your potential to succeed in the proposed project and how the sabbatical would be beneficial in rounding out your career goals.
• Potential Hosts: Include names and affiliations of at least 2 potential offsite mentors. If prior communication/collaboration has been initiated, please specify.

Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis. Please send electronically to etucker@hsc.wvu.edu.

Successful Applicants

The CBTP graduate student sabbatical award is contingent upon the receipt of a brief letter of support from a qualified off-site mentor that affirms their willingness to host the awardee and provide training in the proposed experimental technique of interest. This documentation can be received after the notification of award is made, but must be in place prior to receiving funds.

Completing the Sabbatical

Upon completion of the sabbatical, the student will be required to make a formal presentation to the CBTP program highlighting the importance of the techniques learned and how it was applied during the sabbatical.