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FAQ: Frontiers Of Innovation Scholars Program

Last Updated: January 25, 2017 9:05:38 AM PST
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Find answers to frequently asked questions about the Frontiers of Innovation Scholars Program (FISP).

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Is there a maximum number of fellowships that can be requested by a Mentor?

Mentors should propose to advise no more than 2 trainees above the undergraduate level. No more than 4 trainees should be proposed at the undergraduate level, unless prior approval is obtained. Requests to support multiple trainees in a lab, program or center will be evaluated based on available funding, and the mentor’s ability to expand the interdisciplinary project. 

Who is eligible to be a trainee for a Postdoctoral Award?

Only Academics with a Postdoctoral title code. These titles can be found at the site provided below.
Clinical Fellows and Assistant Project Scientists are not eligible.

http://postdoc.ucsd.edu/appointment-guidelines/index.html

The guidelines for the Frontiers of Innovation Scholars program indicate that “Ph.D. Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars will have mentors in at least two different divisions”. Are “Physical Sciences” and “Biological Sciences” considered two different divisions for this scholarship program?

Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences are separate academic divisions of UC San Diego, under the authority of different Deans. The Lead Mentor and at least one Co-mentor must be appointed in different divisions to meet the multi-divisional requirement.

If the Lead Mentor has a split appointment in more than one Division, do they still require a Co-mentor?

A second mentor is required for graduate and postdoctoral fellowships. A single individual does not fulfill the dual mentor criterion.

Can I request a PI exception in order to apply as a mentor for a FISP fellowship?

No. Only Academics who are already PIs by exception on an existing award are eligible to apply for this fellowship program.

Do mentors need to be within UC San Diego or can they be from other universities or research institutions.
The Frontiers of Innovation Scholars Program is an internal UC San Diego opportunity. The mentors need to have current PI eligible appointments at UC San Diego. UCSD Adjunct Professors can serve as Co-Mentors.
Is permanent residency or citizenship required for trainees to the program?

The FISP opportunity is open to all UCSD undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral scholars regardless of residency or citizenship of the trainee.

Can I use a proposal submitted for another scholarship application to apply to the program?

An unfunded proposal submitted to another sponsoring agency may be resubmitted to this program and will be considered by the reviewers, so long as all other criteria are met.

When does the application period close?

Applications may be submitted through Monday October 12, 2015, 11:59 PDT.

Will the mentors be able to apply for funding to recruit a new trainee, rather than one already at UCSD?

The Mentors may name a specific trainee in their application or one "To-Be-Named"

Can more than one application be submitted for the same trainee?

No more than one application per trainee should be submitted.  

Do trainees need to be from UC San Diego or can they be visiting from other universities or research institutions?
The Frontiers of Innovation Scholars Program is intended for trainees currently enrolled as undergraduate and graduate students, or appointed as Postdoctoral Scholars, in academic units at UC San Diego. Trainees not currently enrolled, must be proposed for recruitment and appointed or enrolled prior to disbursement of fellowship funds.
Should the Mentor submit a separate application for each trainee?

If the proposed research is identical for all trainees, please submit one application. Otherwise, please submit separate applications. 

For more information or questions, contact fisp@ucsd.edu.