From International Astronautical Federation
IAC 2010 Youth Grants Programme
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Please note that the 2010 Youth Grants Programme has now closed
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Announcement
Background
In October 2008 the member organisations of the International Astronautical Federation approved a new initiative to actively engage, inspire and support the next generation of students and young professionals to prepare them to be the future leaders of the international space community.
As part of this initiative the IAF began a new programme to provide grants that enable a greater number of students and young space professionals to participate in IAF activities, in particular the International Astronautical Congress. The initiative also envisions the creation of several new awards that recognise achievement by young people in the pursuit and promotion of global space activities.
The IAF member organisations also decided to create mechanisms in Europe, the U.S. and other countries, to provide on-going financial support for these activities. The first step in this initiative was the selection of ten young people to participate in the 2009 International Astronautical Congress (IAC) supported by the IAF.
IAC 2010 Youth Grants Programme
The IAC 2010 Youth Grants Programme is open to individuals between the ages of 21 and 33 on 1 January 2010. Candidates may apply regardless of their home country or current residence. While all applications will be considered the IAF through this programme seeks to encourage applications from candidates in nations with emerging space capabilities and interests who would otherwise not be able to attend an International Astronautical Congress.
The young people selected will participate in the 61st International Astronautical Congress (IAC) scheduled to take place in Prague, Czech Republic from 27 September to 1 October, 2010. The individuals selected will also be given the opportunity to participate in other activities held just before and during the Congress.
Who should consider applying?
- Individuals interested in pursuing careers involving the development, application and use of space systems, space science research, the policy, legal, social and cultural aspects of space activities, international cooperation on space programmes and other similar subjects.
- Persons who - for financial, sponsorship or other reasons - would not otherwise be able to attend an International Astronautical Congress.
- Young people who wish to meet and interact with other colleagues from around the world with similar interests.
- Individuals who hope to utilise the knowledge and experiences they gain during the IAC in their own careers and in enhancing space and related activities in their home countries.
Basic support
Grant awardees will be provided:
- Round trip air fare between the candidate's home country and the Czech Republic.
- Support (in-kind services or funding) for local transportation, lodging and meals during the candidate's stay in Prague, Czech Republic.
- Assistance with visa arrangements provided by the IAC Local Organising Committee and the Government of the Czech Republic.
- Registration in the 61st International Astronautical Congress as well as the Space Generation Congress (23-25 September 2010) and the 2010 UN/IAF Workshop on “GNSS Applications for Human Benefit and Development” (24-25 September 2010).
- Assignment of an experienced volunteer "mentor" to provide advice on Congress activities before the IAC, to meet with the grant recipient during the IAC and to follow the recipient's career and activities upon returning to his/her home country. A student or young professional advisor with previous IAC experience and planning to attend the 61th IAC will also be assigned to help each grant recipient benefit fully from the Congress and related meetings.
IAC activities
During the IAC grant recipients will:
- Participate (if desired) in the Space Generation Congress and the 2010 UN/IAF Workshop held just before the Congress.
- Meet with the IAF-assigned mentor and student/young professional advisor.
- Be eligible to present at least one paper (orally or in interactive/poster format) and to participate in Congress technical sessions, Plenary Events and other activities.
- Receive invitations to participate in the activities of the IAC Student Programme (organised by the International Space Education Board) and the IAF Young Professional Programme both of which are conducted during the Congress.
- Be given special recognition including participation in a special luncheon with the IAF President, Past President, Vice President for Youth Activities, Student and Young Professional Committee Chairs and other IAF officials.
Post-IAC activities
Following their participation in the IAC, grant recipients will:
- Complete an evaluation of the 2010 programme (due no later than 15 November 2010)
- Report on follow up activities in the candidate's home country (due no later than 15 January 2011)
- Be eligible to maintain participation in IAF student and young professional activities through IAF website and related programmes.
Application requirements
- A completed, signed application that contains information about the candidate's personal background, education, employment experience and that certifies that the candidate is not eligible for other funding support to participate in the IAC and includes an "endorsement" by at least one organisation (the candidate's university, employer, an interested government agency, space or science society or similar organisation).
- Two recommendations from officials or other individuals in the candidate's home country who are familiar with the candidate and who have reviewed his/her application.
- An essay (of no more than two typewritten pages) that discusses:
- The potential relevance of the IAC experience to the candidate's interests/plans
- What the candidate hopes to learn from/achieve during the IAC experience
- What the candidate intends to do with the experience upon his/her return home, including an effort to share what has been learned
- An abstract submitted on the IAF website for a paper that the candidate intends to present - either orally in a technical session or as an "interactive" (poster) paper - during the IAC. The abstract is also to be copied in the appropriate field in the application form.
- A short video sample in English to demonstrate the applicant’s linguistic proficiency and presentation skills.
Forms
All documentation above is supplied in Microsoft Word or PDF format.
Application submissions
Applications should be sent to the IAF Secretariat. We strongly prefer e-mail. Please send to:
youthgrants@iafastro.org (Subject: LAST NAME First name - IAC 2010 Youth Grant Programme)
If e-mail access is not available, by postal mail to:
IAF Secretariat
Attention: IAC 2010 Youth Grants
94 bis Avenue de Suffren
75015 Paris
France
FAX : +33 1 42 73 21 20
Completed application forms including endorsement, abstract, essay, along with the video sample and reference letters must be received at the IAF Secretariat no later than 1 February 2010.
If sending by other means than email, please note that applications received after this time will not be considered for the 2010 IAC Youth Grant programme.
Selection criteria
The Youth Grants Selection Committee (consisting of experienced IAF volunteers) will carefully review all applications and recommend individuals taking into account the following criteria:
- Candidate qualifications (educational and professional experience)
- Endorsement and Recommendation letters
- Substantive content of the candidate's essay and abstract
- Video sample and linguistic and presentational skills
- Previous attendance at the International Astronautical Congress (In order to spread the experience of attending an IAC to as many people as possible, candidates that did not have the chance to participate yet, will be given preference)
- The candidate's potential to impact positively space activities in his/her home country
The Selection Committee will also take into account geographical considerations with special attention to increasing participation from regions that are less active in space and/or less involved in IAF activities. (For rating grid please refer to Application Guidelines)
The Selection Committee will recommend and the IAF's Youth Grant Programme Steering Committee (consisting of the IAF Past President, Vice President for Youth Activities, Space Education and Outreach Committee Chair and Workforce Development and Young Professional Committee Chair) will select up to ten award recipients.
Selection schedule
- Announcement, application form and related documents are posted on the IAF website: 18 December 2009
- Completed applications and related documentation must be submitted to the IAF Secretariat no later than 1 February 2010
- Grant recipients will be notified on 2 April 2010. Selections will also be announced publicly on the IAF website the same day.
Questions
Applicant questions and requests for additional information/clarifications should be addressed to:
Ms Juliane McCarty
IAC Youth Grants Programme Coordinator
IAF Secretariat
94 bis Avenue de Suffren
75015 Paris
FRANCE
E-mail: youthgrants@iafastro.org
Telephone: +33 1 45 67 42 60
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