Support for Facilitating Diversity in PhD Recruitment

Deadline: October 25th (In the event that a deadline falls upon a weekend or a university holiday that deadline will move to the first workday following the posted date.) 

Award Amount: Up to $5,000.

Directions: Submit full application to wiseprog@usc.edu

The WiSE Program provides competitively awarded support to WiSE-eligible departments at USC that propose and implement creative ideas for “casting the net widely,” thus increasing the representation of women in science and engineering PhD programs. Activities for which funding may be requested are expected to vary from department to department, as effective approaches would depend on individual disciplines. Proposals should include a brief description of the departmental plan to increase diversity in PhD program applicant pools and a strong justification of why and how receipt of funds will serve to cast the net widely to increase the representation of women in science and engineering PhD programs. Departments may submit no more than one application per academic year.

Goal: To foster creative ideas for “casting the net widely,” thus increasing the representation of women in science and engineering PhD program applicant pools. Activities for which funding may be requested are expected to vary from department to department, as effective approaches would depend on individual disciplines. Examples of appropriate activities might include:

• Travel to conferences to promote PhD programs
• Redesigning websites and creating promotional materials for programs
• Hosting (virtual) open houses

Eligibility: Any WiSE-eligible department may submit no more than one application per academic year. The application must be submitted by either a Department Chair or the Faculty Director of the PhD Program (with an endorsement of the Department Chair). Proposals should include a brief description of the departmental plan to increase diversity in PhD recruitment and a strong justification of why and how receipt of funds will serve to cast the net widely to increase the representation of women in science and engineering. Those contemplating a proposal are encouraged to discuss the eligibility of their proposal with the Director of the WiSE Program, Leana Golubchik at leana@usc.edu or 213-740-0996.

Application Process: The following should be submitted to the WiSE Program at wiseprog@usc.edu as part of a completed application:

• Detailed Proposal (three pages or less) describing the proposed activity and how it would further the goals of the WiSE Program to increase the number of women in science and engineering PhD programs. Proposals should be addressed to a broad audience.
• Budget (one page plus one explanatory page) outlining proposed expenses. Provide a budget explanation on a separate page; explain in detail how funds will be used, and justify the need for cost allocations.