National Summer Data Policy Institute Overview

National Summer Data Policy Institute

Overview

Call for Applications
Fellowship for National Summer Data Policy Institute (NSDPI)
Deadline: March 16, 2009
OVERVIEW

With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) operates the National Summer Data Policy Institute. The Institute is an intensive introduction to NSF and NCES datasets and research methodologies using large national data sources.

The Institute is open to:

Institutional research professionals who wish to increase their knowledge of national datasets and skills for using such data in their IR role on campus

Faculty and graduate students with research interests in postsecondary education

Staff from state and national associations with interests in postsecondary data sources

Postsecondary education researchers from non-U.S. institutions (limited spaces)

Note: All participants must have basic knowledge of statistical methods and experience using statistical software packages (e.g., SPSS, SAS).

The Institute aims to achieve four major objectives:

Stimulate interest in using national data to address research questions in institutional research, the social sciences, and education

Instruct Fellows in the methods of using national data to conduct analyses, with primary emphasis on the new Web-based data analysis systems developed by NSF and NCES

Enhance understanding about methodological and technological issues relevant to national data collection

Encourage collaboration between Fellows and NSF and NCES staff to improve future data collection and analysis

Fellowship selection is based on a brief application. The deadline for applications is March 16, 2009. Selection decisions will be announced no later than the first week of April.

The application components are outlined below.

Contact information

Statement of interest and applicant’s learning goals

Statement of current research interests

Self-assessment of statistical and research skills, and knowledge of NSF/NCES datasets

Abbreviated curriculum vita

Letter of support (for graduate students only)

Applications must be submitted online. Assistance is available from the AIR grant staff at air@airweb.org or 850-385-4155 x200.

2009 NSDPI

2009 NATIONAL SUMMER DATA POLICY INSTITUTE

The Institute will be held June 21 – 27, 2009 at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland. Hotel, meals, and instructional costs are provided for selected Fellows. U.S. travel is covered in full; international travel is covered up to $700.

Overview of the Institute schedule:

Fellows will devote the equivalent of one full day to background reading and preparation prior to attending the Institute

Sunday, June 21 – Travel to Washington D.C. and Institute registration

Monday, June 22 and Tuesday, June 23 (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

Wednesday, June 24 – Day trip to either NSF or NCES

Thursday, June 25 and Friday, June 26 (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

Saturday, June 27 (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon) and travel home

After returning home, Fellows will devote the equivalent of one full day in preparing a narrative evaluation of their Institute experience

The Institute includes lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on instruction (a laptop computer with wireless Internet capabilities is required). Topics and activities include:

Data Policy Seminars from leading national policy experts

Overview of NSF databases

Overview of NCES databases, including a focus on IPEDS data

Demonstrations and exercises using specific datasets

Technical issues using national datasets

Data confidentiality

Applying for restricted use license

Day trip to either NSF or NCES

Opportunities to network and collaborate with colleagues

Application Process

STEP 1: Individuals are encouraged to begin the application process as early as January 16, 2009 by providing initial contact information as the first step: name, e-mail address, physical address, phone number and institution affiliation. Providing this information assures that updates and deadline reminders will be sent to the e-mail address provided. Providing contact information does not commit an individual to submit an application.

Begin application
(initial contact information)

Individuals will receive an e-mail with a unique Web address once they have provided AIR with their initial contact information (STEP 1).
STEP 2: Print a copy of the Fellowship for National Summer Data Policy Institute Guidelines (PDF).

Fellowship for National Summer Data Policy Institute Guidelines (PDF)

STEP 3: Individuals will use the unique Web address sent to them via e-mail after completing Step 1 to complete their online application. It is recommended that applicants write each section using word processing software and, when finalized, cut and paste the text into the online application.
Note: Applicants can save parts of their application and return later, via their unique Web address, to add and/or edit information until either they finalize their application or the application process closes at midnight Eastern Standard Time the evening of March 16, 2009. If the e-mail with the unique Web address is misplaced, please contact the AIR grant staff at air@airweb.org or 850-385-4155 x200.

STEP 4: Graduate students only— Refer to application component #6 (Letter of Support).

STEP 5: Submit the online application. When an application is successfully submitted a confirmation message will be sent to the applicant. It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit the final application and save the confirmation notice as receipt of a successful submission.

For questions and assistance please contact the AIR grant staff at air@airweb.org or 850-385-4155 x200.

An application may be withdrawn at any time before the final funding decision is made. A request for withdrawal must be sent to air@airweb.org. Confirmation of the withdrawal request will be sent to the applicant.

Award Announcement

Applications are reviewed by AIR and a panel of national experts. Selection decisions will be announced no later than the first week of April. Applicants are cautioned that only the AIR Executive Director may make commitments, obligations, or awards. Fellowship recipient names and institutional affiliations are part of the public record that is provided to NSF and NCES and listed on the AIR Web site.

Coordination of Travel to Institute
Detailed instruction for booking flights and making other travel arrangements will be provided in a letter to each selected Fellow.

Preparation for Institute
Fellows will need to devote the equivalent of one full day to background reading and preparation prior to attending the Institute. Electronic reading documents will be sent to Fellows in advance of the Institute. Fellows will also be required to participate in an online survey prior to the Institute detailing their current knowledge of NSF/NCES datasets.

Final Report
Fellows are required to submit a two page narrative evaluation of the Institute experience to AIR no later than thirty days after the Institute. This should be an overview of the Institute experience, including a description of the impact of the Institute on the Fellow’s institutional research practices, future research plans, or other scholarly endeavors.

To Apply