This page was printed from https://geosyntheticsmagazine.com

IGS-NA publishes call for applications for Testing Innovation Fellowship Program

News | November 15, 2021 | By:

The North American chapter of the International Geosynthetic Society (IGS-NA) launched a new student fellowship program aimed at transitioning geosynthetics-related research to ASTM International (ASTM) standards and increasing student engagement in the two professional organizations. The fellowship program will be jointly supported by the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI), IGS-NA and the ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics. The program aligns with the combined missions of GSI, IGS-NA and ASTM to develop and transfer knowledge, geosynthetic technologies and testing standards to positively impact education, public health and safety, consumer confidence, and overall quality of life.

Fellowship details

  • Fellows will be awarded $500 per year, over a maximum three-year period (maximum of $1,500 total per fellow). Up to five fellows can be supported concurrently in any given year.
  • Within the award period, each fellow must:
    • (1) Send in a brief annual report (not later than Nov. 30) of the project status. After approval through the review committee, the $500 grant will be awarded during the 1st quarter of the next year.
    • (2) Prepare a draft of either a new ASTM standard or a substantially revised version of an existing standard, with oversight from their research advisor or relevant supervisor (by Dec. 15 of the final fellowship year).
    • (3) Present the new/revised standard to the appropriate ASTM committee or the review committee supervisor(s) (latest during the first ASTM meeting after the fellowship program–typically in January or February).
  • As feasible, the fellow will be paired with a mentor to provide input for drafting the standard.

Eligibility 

To apply for the fellowship, the applicant must be:

(1) A current student pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree at a college/university

(2) A current member of both ASTM D35 and IGS-NA (student memberships are free for both: visit https://www.astm.org/studentmember/ or https://www.igs-na.org/join/ for more information.

Application

  • Applicants may not submit multiple applications under this announcement.
  • The application requirements include:
    • (1) A brief (2-page maximum) description of the test method being utilized in their research and how they envision the method would support development of a new ASTM standard or significant revisions to existing standards
    • (2) The test method development must align with the mission and goals of the supporting organizations and be directly or indirectly related to the geosynthetic industry
    • (3) A letter of recommendation from their advisor, direct supervisor or department head
  • Submit applications as a single PDF file via email to info@igs-na.org, attention: Dr. Kristin Sample-Lord, email subject line: “Fellowship application (your last name)”

Timeline (subject to change)

  • Application due date:  Nov. 30, 2021
  • Announcement of awardees: Dec. 15, 2021
  • Fellowship starting date: Jan. 1, 2022 (disbursement of award shortly after 1 January)

Note: If the grant recipient has a change in their fellowship eligibility status or decides to drop out of the fellowship program, the Testing Innovation Fellowship organizers must be informed immediately in writing. A payback of the last fellowship award is only necessary if the termination occurs before May 1 of the year after the fellowship grant.

Share this Story