Frequently Asked Questions

2017 Innovation Lab: Microbiome
Frequently Asked Questions




1. I am scheduled to complete my Ph.D. studies this year, but will not have my degree at the time of the Innovation Lab. Can I still apply?

To be considered eligible, applicants will need to have a doctoral level degree (PhD, ScD, MD, DDS, DVM, etc.) at the time of application .

Examples of doctoral level degrees include those obtained in the following disciplines:

  • Behavioral and Social Sciences
  • Biological, Physical or Earth Sciences
  • Computational Sciences, Mathematics, and Statistics
  • Engineering
  • Health Sciences (Medical, Nursing, Dental, Optometry, or other like fields)

If you have a doctorate-level degree in another discipline, you may still apply, but please specify in your application how your work relates to microbiome.

2. I am currently a post-doc. Can I apply?

No, to be considered eligible, applicants will need to have completed post-doctoral studies before the start of the lab.

3. Can international applicants apply?

No, this Innovation Lab is focused on collaborations between investigators with primary appointments at domestic institutions. There are other opportunities at NIH and NSF to develop international partnerships.

4. I have a PhD and have completed my post-doc. I work in industry, where I am involved in research related to the microbiome. Can I apply?

No, the focus is on fostering new collaborations between academic researchers.

5. I have a master’s degree and work on microbiome research, but I do not have doctoral level training. Why can’t I apply to the Innovation Lab?

The focus of this Innovation Lab is the development of new teams of academic researchers and scientists who will work on data science challenges of microbiome research. Key outcomes of this Innovation Lab are (1) the academic career paths of Innovation Lab participants and teams and (2) the success in obtaining extramural funding for their microbiome research. These require doctoral level training.

6. I am actively engaged in microbiome research, but am further on in my career. Can I apply?

Yes, you can. Please be mindful that early-career investigators (assistant to newly promoted associate professors) are highly encouraged to apply given the overall goal of the Innovation Lab to generate new interdisciplinary collaborations of biomedical and quantitative researchers to develop collaborative ideas of projects that could be submitted to funding institutions. Those later in their careers would already have established themselves, their research programs, and have a record of successfully applying for funding.

7. How do I complete the application?

You can apply by clicking on the link below. Please be advised that the application links will take you to an online form. You will not be able to save and submit the form later. Please consider filling out the questions all at once or filling out the responses to the questions in a word document at your leisure then returning to the link to fill out the form when you are ready. Just remember to submit your application using the online form before the deadline of March 12th, 2017!