2012 Maize Meeting

New Program – MaGNET (Maize Genetics Network Enhancement via Travel) Awards

Update (3/19/2012): The 2012 MaGNET program chose eleven awardees, providing support for them to attend the Maize Genetics Conference in Portland, Oregon. The MGC Steering Committee anticipates that the MaGNET program will be available again in 2013, to support attendance for awardees at the 55th Annual Maize Genetics Conference in St. Charles, Illinois. The 2013 MaGNET application and criteria for selection will likely be similar to those for 2012 (on this webpage). The expectation is that a new application webpage will be available in Fall 2013, so if you are interested, check back at that time!

2012 MaGNET Awardees:

From left to right: Jessica Wedow (Purdue University), Katarina Klusman (Oakland University), Daniel Vera (Florida State University), Thelma Madzima (Florida State University), Stacey Simon (University of Delaware), Amy Hauth (University of Missouri), Dale Brunelle (University of North Dakota), and Bill Sheridan (University of North Dakota).
Not pictured: Juan Mendoza (San Jose City College & USDA/PGEC), Hema Kasisomayajula (University of South Carolina), Laura Morales (Cornell University).

Purpose: This program seeks to recruit and retain scientists from diverse backgrounds into the maize research community by encouraging their attendance at the Annual Maize Genetics Conference (MGC). As such, it provides a source of support to help students and early career scientists from under-represented groups learn about maize genetics and connect with scientists already in that community. The program also provides an opportunity for awardees to explore potential collaborations and develop career contacts.

Each MaGNET Award (up to $1500 per recipient) can be applied to the cost of attending the Maize Genetics Conference, including registration, food, lodging and reimbursement for travel expenses. The awardee will be paired with an experienced ‘Maize Mentor’, who will help the awardee navigate the conference. During the conference, MaGNET awardees will have opportunities to interact with peers and will be welcomed by the maize community.

Applicants for MaGNET Awards are not required to have previous maize genetics research experience, but should have some plant biology- or genetics-related research experience. Submitting an abstract to present a research poster or talk at the MGC is highly encouraged, even if it is not directly relevant to maize genetics.

Eligible applicants include: undergraduate students; graduate students; postdoctoral researchers; and early-career scientists. Applicants must be either citizens or permanent residents of the USA, and should belong to a group traditionally underrepresented in science*. First-time conference attendees are encouraged to apply.

A faculty mentor who will accompany one or more eligible student applicants is also eligible to apply for a MaGNET award.

*For the purpose of meeting the goals and objectives of the MaGNET program, qualified underrepresented groups that are identified as being underrepresented in the biological sciences include, but are not limited to: African Americans, Alaskan Natives, Hispanic Americans, American Indians/Native Americans who maintain tribal affiliation or community attachment, Natives of the USA Pacific Islands (Guam, Hawai'i and American Samoa only).

If you have questions, please direct them to the Chair of the MGC Steering Committee, John Fowler, fowlerj@science.oregonstate.edu.

The MaGNET program of the Maize Genetics Conference is supported by grant MCB-1212758 from the National Science Foundation.

MaGNET applicants should fill out the attached form, submit a CV or résumé, and provide the name and email address of at least one referee, who must be a research mentor or faculty supervisor. The name and email address for a second referee is optional.

Deadline: For full consideration for the 2012 MaGNET Awards, the application should be submitted by February 14, 2012. Applications received after February 14 may be considered, if funding allows.

Update (2/1/2012): Hotel reservations and registration waivers will be provided to Awardees who have not registered for the Conference or reserved a hotel room by the February 14 deadline for MaGNET applications. In addition, late poster abstracts will still be accepted for awardees. Therefore, interested applicants should not be discouraged from applying because they have missed the Jan. 31 early registration deadline.

All awardees, including students and faculty mentors, will be required to complete short questionnaires before and after the meeting, and to write a Summary Statement regarding their meeting experience after the close of the MGC. Reimbursement checks will be processed and issued upon receipt of the required documentation.

MaGNET applications are no longer being accepted for 2012. We hope to offer the program again for the 2013 Maize Genetics Conference, so check back in late 2012!

Application Form:

General Information: Applicant Eligibility Category (your current status):
First name:
Last name:
Gender:
Home Institution:
Department:
Institution Address:
City, State, ZIP:
Email address:
Telephone:

Email addresses of referees for letters of recommendation:

   Referee 1, research supervisor:
       Name       Email Address:

   Referee 2, optional:
      Name       Email Address:

Background: Citizenship/Residency Status:
Are you a member of an ethnic minority group identified as being underrepresented in the biological sciences?
Please indicate Race or Ethnicity:
If ‘Other’, please specify:

Mentor Information: Accompanying Mentor:
If Yes, please specify accompanying student name(s):
If Yes, how long have you known the student(s) you are accompanying?:
If Yes, is your research currently supported by NSF grant funds?:
Student Accompanied by Mentor:
If Yes, please specify mentor name:

Career (postdocs and faculty answer NA where the question is Not Applicable): Final Career Degree Desired:
Are you planning to pursue a career in plant biology- or genetics-related research?
Have you worked in a laboratory as a summer intern, as a paid position, on a fellowship, or on a stipend (e.g., Teaching Assistantship)?
How long have you been working in a research setting?
Have you previously attended any national scientific conferences?
Have you previously attended the Maize Genetics Conference?

Abstract/Essay/CV: Will you be submitting an abstract for a presentation (poster or talk) at the Conference?

Maize Genetics Conference abstract submission page.

Please describe, in 500 words or less, your research experiences and interests, and how attending the Maize Genetics Conference will further your career in research.

For faculty mentors accompanying an eligible student, please describe, in 500 words or less, how you work to recruit and support students from traditionally underrepresented groups in your research program, and how you plan to continue such support.

Upload your CV or résumé, in pdf format, here:

MaGNET applications are no longer being accepted for 2012. We hope to offer the program again for the 2013 Maize Genetics Conference, so check back in late 2012!