OBGE Professional Development Award

OBGE Professional Development Awards are designed to support professional development for biomedical PhD trainees who have shown an interest in engaging in OBGE’s mission to develop student’s full potential as independent scientists. The award provides reimbursement for activities that directly enhance the recipient’s professional growth, including, but not limited to conference registration and travel and workshop attendance.  

Awards are open to full-time biomedical PhD students in any School of Medicine or Interdisciplinary PhD program. To be considered, applicants must have successfully completed the preliminary exam prior to submitting an application and have engaged in one of the optional OBGE BIOTRAIN courses or O2 series programs. Each recipient will receive an award of up to $1000.  

Submission Deadlines

Current Award Cycle: July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023

Guidelines

1. Applicants must be full-time biomedical PhD students in any of the School of Medicine and Interdisciplinary PhD programs.  
2. Applicants must have successfully completed preliminary exams to be considered.
3. Applicants are eligible to receive one Professional Development Award during their PhD training experience.
4. Awards cannot be used for computers or other personal electronic devices.
5. All award funds must be expended between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.
6. Awards will not be applied retroactively for travel completed prior to date of application.
7. Funds will be reimbursed once the entire sum has been expended.  All original receipts, records, and similar financial documentation must be submitted to OBGE.  If appropriate documentation is not provided, the award will be rescinded.  This award is a reimbursement, not a cash bonus given to awardees.
8. Recipient must be enrolled as a PhD student at time of reimbursement.
9. Funds must be expended as outlined in the application and budget.  Because award decisions are based upon the original application, the award may not be used for any purpose other than that originally proposed. If the recipient is not accepted to a competitive workshop, or decides s/he would prefer to attend a different conference, receives additional funds that cover the cost, or otherwise changes his/her plans due to personal or professional reasons, the award will be rescinded.  

Application requirements

1. A one-page cover letter (see requirements below)
2. An up-to-date T3 Professional Development Tab
3. A detailed budget proposal

Cover letter requirements

1. A brief description of the applicant’s research topic and its significance.
2. A description of the applicant’s career goals with a description of how this award will help the applicant achieve those goals.
3. A listing of OBGE courses and programs in which the applicant has participated and what the applicant has gained from participating.
4. A proposed use for the award funds.
5. If the application is for a conference, applicant must provide the conference name, location and dates (including conference URL if available); if presenting, attach an abstract.  

Please submit application materials as a single PDF document to Associate Director of Curriculum, Advising, Experiential Learning, Calla Telzrow at calla.telzrow@duke.edu.