Black in Engineering Scholars


Call for the 2024 Cohort of RECIPES x BIE Scholars

Description
Aligned with Black in Engineering’s Call to Action, the Resilient, Equitable, and Circular Innovations with
Partnership and Education Synergies (RECIPES) is sponsoring collaborative research opportunities for
Black engineering faculty to engage with members of the RECIPES team. RECIPES is an NSF-funded
research network bringing together over 40 researchers and 15 institutions connected with
organizations working across the food system to advance the science needed to make our wasteful food
system sustainable, equitable, and resilient.

Benefits to Scholars
Participant stipends and access to RECIPES resources will expand Scholars’ research communities while offering RECIPES members exposure to new research, experiences, and perspectives. Ideal candidates will conduct research in areas complementary to RECIPES goals and identify explicit ways that scholars can advance their research agendas, professional development in their disciplines, and leadership at their home institutions.

With a focus on authentic diversity efforts, RECIPES is making deliberate efforts to engage Black scholars actively in our broadening participation efforts. Our goal is for Scholars to share decision-making power, increase their academic visibility, and identify ways to collaborate that align with their career goals and promotion and tenure expectations. Examples of collaborative projects and activities include grant submissions, peer-reviewed publications, policy creation, and course development.


Application Requirements
Scholars are asked to submit the following materials in a single PDF file.

  1. Cover letter addressing
    a. RECIPES-related research interests (about two paragraphs)
    b. Qualifications
    c. Alignment of RECIPES’ initiatives with current and future career goals and the name of the name of one or more current RECIPES researchers who could potentially collaborate on the proposed project
    d. Description of a mutually beneficial outcome from RECIPES participation
  2. Current curriculum vita
  3. Research statement outlining a proposed 12-month project or collaborative activity
  4. Two professional references (contact information only)
  5. An electronic copy of one publication relevant to the proposed activity (published or in press)

Scholar Compensation, Expectations, and Deliverables
Black engineering faculty scholars from the Academic Research and Leadership Network (ARLN) and Black in Engineering (BIE) communities (up to five in total) will be offered support of $5,000 plus travel costs to participate in a half-day workshop where selected scholars share their expertise, present their plans, and engage in meaningful exchanges within the network. Selected scholars commit to participating in the half-day workshop.

Additional time commitments on the part of the selected scholars will depend upon the nature of their planned activities, may vary widely, and may qualify for additional financial support (e.g., a second year of support at the $5,000 level to deepen initial projects).

Upon acceptance as a Scholar, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) detailing the relationship and expectations will be created for the partnership. An action plan will be created such that goals are clarified.


Evaluation of Applicants
Evaluation of candidates will be performed based on the following metrics:

  • Awareness of, interest in and ability to engage in convergent scholarship
  • Alignment between scholar career and RECIPES research goals
  • Evidence that RECIPES can assist with their individual career goals


Submission Information
Submit your application in a single PDF file to RECIPES program manager, Rachel Weiss (rweiss@american.edu) with the subject line, “RECIPES + BIE Faculty Scholar Application.” You may direct questions about your application to Dr. Monica Cox (cox.1192@osu.edu).

RECIPES complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Rachel Weiss (rweiss@american.edu).

Timeline
Applications are open Monday, February 12, 2024 – Friday, March 15, 2024. We anticipate that scholars will begin efforts in May of 2024. We anticipate funding 5 to 10 scholars over the remaining life of the RECIPES initial funding phase (2024-2026).