Description
The SOT recognizes that toxicology-related training experiences facilitate successful transition of postdoctoral scholars into a professional position in toxicology. The New Experiences in Toxicology (NEXT) Program provides funding up to $1,000 to cover costs associated with additional training related to toxicology that will broaden a postdoc’s expertise and prepare them for the competitive job market. Applicants will identify professional development workshops, short courses, or activities that would provide training outside of their academic, governmental, or industrial postdoctoral program. The goal of the NEXT program is to enable postdoctoral trainees to obtain training outside of their current sector; for example, an academic or industrial postdoc may use this award to learn about government or regulatory toxicology. The NEXT training must be outside the available resources of the applicant’s postdoctoral training and research project and be related to their career goals. The toxicology skill gap desired to be fulfilled via NEXT should not be one that can be met by their training program. NEXT funding will not be awarded to refine a research project-related technique, to attend a professional society or scientific conference, or to supplement an internship. Additional experiences in the same sector in which the postdoctoral trainee is currently training is not the intent. The training may be virtual or in-person.
Administered by the Education and Experiential Opportunities Committee, three awards of up to $1,000 per recipient may be given each year. Deadlines are April 15 and September 15.
Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must
- Be a postdoctoral scholar in good standing in a formal, mentored postdoc position at the time of application.
- Be a SOT postdoc member at the time of application (or have a membership application pending) and a SOT postdoc or associate member at the time of the experience.
- Designate an activity that begins no sooner than a six weeks following the application deadline.
Award Criteria
Awardees will be selected based on:
- Alignment of the proposed activity with NEXT goals.
- Scope and relevance of the proposed professional activity to career goals in the field of toxicology.
- Value of the proposed experience to provide training in alternative career sectors.
- Applicant scientific achievement.
- Strength of recommendation from their postdoc mentor.
- Demonstration of financial support to complete the activity if costs exceed $1,000.
Application Requirements
- Applicants will submit the online application including:
- Written statement that briefly summarizes their research project, career goals, how the NEXT activity adds value to their career pursuits, and why this type of training is not available as part of their current program.
- Budget, budget justification, support available, and any additional funds required.
- Evidence of commitment of institutional, personal, or other funds to cover costs exceeding $1,000.
- If the experience is expected to occur after completion of the postdoc, address whether the funds to cover excess costs would still be available.
- A CV not to exceed five pages.
- A letter of support from the host/organizer of the supplemental training experience describing the availability and details (e.g., content, duration, cost, etc.) of the training. This letter is not needed if the experience is organized by an established organization for which specific detailed information is available online describing the experience (i.e., a formal course/program that has open admission/enrollment or an experience that has a dedicated webpage describing the training experience).
- The applicant’s mentor will receive an email with a link to complete a support form in SOT Apply indicating:
- Approval of the applicant’s participation in the defined professional development activity.
- The relevance and value to the applicant’s career goals.
- Why the activity is beyond the scope of their postdoctoral training.
- Why this activity cannot be met by the trainee’s training program.
- The availability of funds (e.g., institutional commitment) proposed to cover costs in excess of $1,000 (if applicable).
- Award recipients will complete the experience no more than one year after the deadline for which the application was submitted.
- Award recipients will be reimbursed after the activity has taken place. To receive reimbursement, the recipient will send a completed reimbursement form in compliance with the SOT Reimbursement Policy and receipts confirming payment to SOT within two weeks of completion of the funded activity.
- Award recipients will provide feedback on their use of the award and the value of the experience towards their career development to SOT in the form of a blog. These reports are submitted through SOT Apply.
Questions? Contact SOT Headquarters.
New Experiences in Toxicology Program (NEXT)
Description
The SOT recognizes that toxicology-related training experiences facilitate successful transition of postdoctoral scholars into a professional position in toxicology. The New Experiences in Toxicology (NEXT) Program provides funding up to $1,000 to cover costs associated with additional training related to toxicology that will broaden a postdoc’s expertise and prepare them for the competitive job market. Applicants will identify professional development workshops, short courses, or activities that would provide training outside of their academic, governmental, or industrial postdoctoral program. The goal of the NEXT program is to enable postdoctoral trainees to obtain training outside of their current sector; for example, an academic or industrial postdoc may use this award to learn about government or regulatory toxicology. The NEXT training must be outside the available resources of the applicant’s postdoctoral training and research project and be related to their career goals. The toxicology skill gap desired to be fulfilled via NEXT should not be one that can be met by their training program. NEXT funding will not be awarded to refine a research project-related technique, to attend a professional society or scientific conference, or to supplement an internship. Additional experiences in the same sector in which the postdoctoral trainee is currently training is not the intent. The training may be virtual or in-person.
Administered by the Education and Experiential Opportunities Committee, three awards of up to $1,000 per recipient may be given each year. Deadlines are April 15 and September 15.
Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must
- Be a postdoctoral scholar in good standing in a formal, mentored postdoc position at the time of application.
- Be a SOT postdoc member at the time of application (or have a membership application pending) and a SOT postdoc or associate member at the time of the experience.
- Designate an activity that begins no sooner than a six weeks following the application deadline.
Award Criteria
Awardees will be selected based on:
- Alignment of the proposed activity with NEXT goals.
- Scope and relevance of the proposed professional activity to career goals in the field of toxicology.
- Value of the proposed experience to provide training in alternative career sectors.
- Applicant scientific achievement.
- Strength of recommendation from their postdoc mentor.
- Demonstration of financial support to complete the activity if costs exceed $1,000.
Application Requirements
- Applicants will submit the online application including:
- Written statement that briefly summarizes their research project, career goals, how the NEXT activity adds value to their career pursuits, and why this type of training is not available as part of their current program.
- Budget, budget justification, support available, and any additional funds required.
- Evidence of commitment of institutional, personal, or other funds to cover costs exceeding $1,000.
- If the experience is expected to occur after completion of the postdoc, address whether the funds to cover excess costs would still be available.
- A CV not to exceed five pages.
- A letter of support from the host/organizer of the supplemental training experience describing the availability and details (e.g., content, duration, cost, etc.) of the training. This letter is not needed if the experience is organized by an established organization for which specific detailed information is available online describing the experience (i.e., a formal course/program that has open admission/enrollment or an experience that has a dedicated webpage describing the training experience).
- The applicant’s mentor will receive an email with a link to complete a support form in SOT Apply indicating:
- Approval of the applicant’s participation in the defined professional development activity.
- The relevance and value to the applicant’s career goals.
- Why the activity is beyond the scope of their postdoctoral training.
- Why this activity cannot be met by the trainee’s training program.
- The availability of funds (e.g., institutional commitment) proposed to cover costs in excess of $1,000 (if applicable).
- Award recipients will complete the experience no more than one year after the deadline for which the application was submitted.
- Award recipients will be reimbursed after the activity has taken place. To receive reimbursement, the recipient will send a completed reimbursement form in compliance with the SOT Reimbursement Policy and receipts confirming payment to SOT within two weeks of completion of the funded activity.
- Award recipients will provide feedback on their use of the award and the value of the experience towards their career development to SOT in the form of a blog. These reports are submitted through SOT Apply.
Questions? Contact SOT Headquarters.