Whitman Center Research Awards FAQ

  1. Who is eligible for a Whitman Center Fellowship?  Applications are judged on scientific merit and fit to the MBL strategic vision, synergy with current initiatives, and innovative areas of research that advantage the collaborative nature and uniqueness of the MBL.  While most successful applicants hold faculty positions, there are a number of award reserved for postdoctoral scientists.  Preference is given to early-stage investigators, those new to the MBL, and those underrepresented in science
  2. Who is eligible for a Whitman Early Career Fellowship?  These fellowships are designated for individuals who are less than 10 years from their doctoral degree.  Please contact us at research@mbl.edu to request an extension to this timeline based on parental leave or other extenuating circumstances.
  3. Who is eligible for an E.E. Just Fellowship?  These fellowships are designated for individuals from groups under-represented in the biological sciences or who train students at minority serving institutions.  These fellowships include a stipend that can be used for travel, supplies, MBL child care, or other expenses related to research at the MBL, as well as room and board for a student or technician.
  4. Can I submit an application with one or more co-investigators?  The MBL encourages collaborative projects, but awards are distributed to one Principal Investigator only; co-investigators must seek their own sources of funding. If you are proposing to work with another Whitman Fellowship applicant or a Whitman Scientist, this should be specified in your application.
  5. How many years can I receive a Whitman Fellowship (formerly Whitman Center Research Award) from the MBL?  Three years maximum.
  6. If I received a Whitman Fellowship last year can I just resubmit the same application?  This would not be competitive. An application for a second or third year of funding as a Whitman Fellow should include a description of how prior years as a Fellow have furthered your research and how that research informs the current application.
  7. Should the application follow NIH guidelines such as margins, format, etc.?  No, please follow the guidelines that appear on the application form, using Times New Roman 11-point font with 1-in margins on top, bottom, right, and left.
  8. Can I just recycle my NIH proposal?  Proposals that do not address the goals of the Whitman program are generally not competitive.
  9. Do I need to submit a current and pending support statement?  No.
  10. Must the research be physically conducted at the MBL?  Yes, you are expected to be in residence for at least four weeks.
  11. What expenses can be covered by the Fellowship?  Because Whitman Center Fellowship funds come from gifts made by donors, they only can be used to cover the cost of laboratory space and housing (except for E.E. Just Fellowships, see above).  Local marine species are available to researchers at no additional charge (see MRC Cataloge) and basic laboratory equipment is available at no charge.
  12. What expenses cannot be covered by the Fellowship?  A Fellowship cannot be used to cover travel expenses, housing and meals for students and postdocs, stipends and salaries for yourself or others, alcohol, equipment, supplies, animal costs, meal plans or living expenses for family members, moving expenses for bringing equipment to/from MBL, or any outside services (except for E.E. Just Fellowships, see above).
  13. What housing costs are covered by the Fellowship?  If eligible, each Fellow will be provided with one cottage for up to 10 weeks. If the MBL Housing Policy considers you ineligible for a cottage, then an equivalent amount will be applied to an on-campus dormitory.  Eligibility for a cottage is based on the number of people you will bring with you.  Priority is given to families of more than 2 people; then, if available, to those who bring co-investigators/assistants who will be working in your lab and who use the maximum number of beds (from 4 to 6 depending on the size of the cottage).  Undergraduates are not allowed to stay in cottages.  You will not be charged for additional occupants in your cottage, however, you will be charged for additional nights if you choose to stay longer than 10 weeks.
  14.  How do we reserve housing?  Once you have received your Fellowship notification, you will be asked to register on-line and indicate what you need in terms of laboratory space, equipment, live specimens, and housing needs.
  15.  How are Fellows selected? All proposals are reviewed by the Whitman Center Fellowship Committee, which consists of MBL scientists from the Resident and Whitman Center research programs, as well as other experts in the field when additional ad hoc reviews are necessary.  The Committee evaluates applications based on scientific merit and the other criteria requested in the Project Description, and fit to the strategic themes of MBL research.  Awarding of applications is based on overall ranking and availability of funding, as well as matching to specific award categories.
  16. What is your policy regarding visas for foreign researchers?  Applicants who are not US citizens or resident aliens should contact MBL’s Immigration office (immigration@mbl.edu) for guidance and not rely on visa advice from their current institution. Any US taxes levied upon the award amount by the IRS will be the responsibility of the foreign researcher and not the MBL. Any fees incurred in the visa application process will be the responsibility of the foreign researcher.
  17. What are the reporting requirements?  After your laboratory experience, a brief written report of your research is due on October 1st. In addition, you must commit to acknowledging this award and citing the MBL in any publications, grant proposals, seminar or meeting presentations, or other written products of this research. You are expected to give a short 15- to 20-minute presentation about your research to other awardees and interested scientists if you are here during the summer. These are held weekly at lunchtime and are scheduled by the Division of Research based on your availability.
  18. Is the Fellowship given to the home institution of the PI and then that home institution is responsible for administering the money like a traditional grant?   No, the MBL is considered the home institution so the money stays at the MBL.
  19.  Do I also need to register for space by the December deadline in case I don’t receive a Fellowship?  No, you do not need to register for space by the December deadline if you are applying for a Fellowship.  All applicants, whether they receive an award or not, will be sent a link to register after the Fellowships have been announced even though the deadline will have passed.
  20. If I receive a Fellowship, how do I get information on setting up lab?  The Division of Research publishes a Whitman Center Guide that provides relevant information for all scientists coming to the MBL.
  21. Are there daycare services available?  Yes, please visit MBL Children’s Programs.
  22. Where can I find more information about Woods Hole? Please visit these websites:
    a. Woods Hole Business Association
    b. Wikipedia
    c. MBL Local Area Information
  23. Where can I get additional information?  Contact the Division of Research at 508-289-7173 or research@mbl.edu.