FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Udall Foundation Dissertation Fellowship

The Udall Foundation awards two fellowships of up to $24,000 to doctoral candidates whose research concerns U.S. environmental public policy and/or environmental conflict resolution and who are entering their final year of writing the dissertation. Dissertation Fellowships are intended to cover both academic and living expenses from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.

Application deadline: February 21, 2008
Information: http://www.udall.gov.

Graduate Student International Travel Awards

The Division of International Studies is pleased to announce a competition for graduate student international field research awards for Ph.D. students to conduct exploratory research abroad to develop their dissertation topics and be more competitive for extramural fellowships.

Students must apply to one of the International Institute’s area studies/member programs (African Studies, East Asian Studies, The European Studies Alliance, Global Studies, Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies, Middle East Studies, Russian, East European, and Central Asian Studies, South Asian Studies, South East Asian Studies, and The Center for World Affairs and the Global Economy). Member programs will review their applications and nominate up to two finalists for consideration by the Division of International Studies selection committee.

Applicants must submit a two page research proposal, budget, and letter of support from their advisor to the appropriate member program. Application materials must be submitted by noon on Friday, February 22, 2008. It is the responsibility of the applicant to obtain a copy of their advisor’s letter of support and to deliver all application materials to the appropriate member program. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Awardees will be selected on the basis of academic merit, feasibility of the proposed project and budget, and potential to attract subsequent external funding for dissertation research and/or writing. Although the committee will give due attention to regional and disciplinary balance, there is no expectation that a nominee from each program will receive an award each year.

The competition is limited to Ph.D. students only but those from all program stages (i.e. dissertator and non-dissertator) are welcome to apply.

Applicants will be notified on or before April 1st, 2008.

Application deadline: February 22, 2008

Information: For questions and additional information, please contact the member program to which you will apply or Erika Robb at the Division of International Studies, academicspa@international.wisc.edu

The Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship

The program, which is sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Sea Grant College Program (NSGO), matches highly qualified graduate students with "hosts" in the legislative and executive branches of government located in the Washington, D.C. area, for a one year paid fellowship. Any student, regardless of citizenship, who, on February 29, 2008 is in a graduate or professional program in a marine or aquatic-related field at a United States-accredited institution of higher education, may apply to the NSGO through their state Sea Grant program. Interested students should discuss this fellowship with their state Sea Grant Program Director. Applications must be submitted with signature to the state Sea Grant program by February 29, 2008.

Application deadline: February 29, 2008
Information: http://www.seagrant.noaa.gov/knauss/index.html

The Marie Christine Kohler Fellowship

The Marie Christine Kohler Fellowship offers an opportunity to dissertators, and third-year MFA, Law, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine students to reside rent free in the Knapp House, the former Governor's Mansion. The fellowship is founded on principles of scholarship, leadership, and fostering a breadth of ideas.

Application/Nomination Deadline: March 3, 2008
Information: http://knapphouse.rso.wisc.edu/

Financial Assistance for Child Care Fees

If you are an enrolled UW-Madison student parent, you may qualify for financial assistance toward child care fees through the Child Care Tuition Assistance Program (CCTAP). CCTAP financially assists eligible low-income student parents maintain quality child care for their children. CCTAP is funded through student fees recommended by the Student Services Finance Committee and approved by the Chancellor and the Board of Regents. Applications are now being accepted for the spring 2008 semester. More information, deadlines, eligibility requirements and applications can be accessed on the CCTAP Web site at: http://www.wisc.edu/occfr

Additional Funding Resources

Individuals looking for funding opportunities are usually best served by starting with the Funding Sources for Individuals category. Don't forget that the UW Job Center offers a great online resource for finding graduate student assistantships on campus. Register with the Job Center to receive weekly updates.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Securing Academic Positions: Planning, Preparation, and Interviewing for Success

Wednesday, February 20
5:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Pyle Center

What type of academic position would you like to have after completing your degree? Do you want to teach, do research, develop and conduct outreach programs, or a little of each? What kinds of institutions best fit your interests? What are the expectations for applicants at different kinds of institutions? What should you know before applying and interviewing for positions? What type of meetings might occur during the interview process and what “unexpected events” should you expect during an interview?

This workshop will be interactive with students and faculty from Michigan State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison and will focus on how to interpret academic job announcements at a variety of institutions, how to prepare for interviews given the expectations at different types of institutions, and applying interviewing skills for success. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to decipher job ads, discuss what your itinerary might be when interviewing for a position, and participate in mock interviews for positions in the sciences, technology, engineering, or mathematics at two- and four-year institutions. Participants will interact with workshop facilitators (i.e., interview panel members) to discuss the strengths of candidates, what to do and what not to do in various types of interviews, what to do to make your application more competitive, and how to respond to the “unexpected” events that occasionally crop up during interviews.

Sponsored by the Michigan State University Graduate School, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School, and the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL).

Copyright on Campus – What Do You Need to Know?

Thursday, February 21
9:00 -- 10:30 a.m.
Biotechnology Center, Henry Mall, Room 1111

This is a presentation of the basic principles of copyright law as they apply to the university community. The topics covered will include:
* Assemblage and use of published materials for instruction and research
* What types of intellectual property copyright protects
* Who owns papers, software and graphics produced at UW-Madison
* Protection of copyrightable materials
* Rights of copyright owners and copyright infringement
* "Fair use" and obtaining permission to use copyrights materials
* Research and publication issues

Completion of the Ph.D.: Step-by-Step Guidance from the Graduate School

Tuesday, February 26
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Union South (TITU)

Learn the step-by-step program to make completing your degree easier. Discover tips and etiquette to work effectively with committees, faculty and staff in your department, and staff in the Graduate School. Discover an appropriate timeline for you to get things done and take charge of your degree. Presenter: Elena Hsiao-ching Hsu, Ph.D., Degree Coordinator, Graduate School. Registration is required.

Sponsored by the Graduate Student Collaborative, Office of Outreach & Graduate Student Professional Development.

Resources for Starting a Business

Tuesday, February 26
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Biotechnology Center, Henry Mall, Room 1111

This seminar covers resources on UW-Madison campus available to assist faculty staff or students who are exploring potential for starting a new business venture.

Topics to be discussed include company formation issues, identifying customers, defining the market for the venture, and marshalling the talent and resources needed to pull it off. For companies that will be based on WARF technologies,
additional considerations will be discussed including:
* Conceiving and disclosing an invention
* Standstill agreements that hold your technology for you to license
* Deliverables you must provide to exercise your option to license
* Terms and conditions of WARF equity agreements
* WARF start-up company handbook
* Resources available beyond the campus for start-up companies

Registration: https://fpm-www3.fpm.wisc.edu/ohrd/OHRDCatalogPortal/Default.aspx?tabid=29&SeriesKey=289

Identifying Transferable Skills for Careers Outside the Academy

Wednesday, February 27
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Room 350, Bascom Hall

As you earn your graduate degree, you develop many skills that are valuable in myriad careers. Identify the abilities you possess that are transferable to non-academic settings and find out how to best present your skills to potential employers through individual exercises and group-based activities. Registration is required.

Sponsored by the Graduate Student Collaborative, Office of Outreach & Graduate Student Professional Development.

Social and Behavioral Science Mock IRB Session

Thursday, February 28
9:00 a.m.
Old Madison Room (3rd floor east), Memorial Union

If you've ever wondered what happens at an IRB meeting, how protocols are reviewed, and how the IRB members make decisions, join us for this mock IRB session. There will be an overview of the federal regulations after which you'll have the opportunity to be part of the IRB. Read some protocols, discuss them and learn how the IRB works. This session of the Human Research Protections Seminar Series is presented by Donna Jahnke, Assistant Dean, L&S.

Sponsored by the Graduate School Seminar and Workshop Series

Launching Your Career with a Postdoctoral Position

Tuesday, March 4
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Room 260, Bascom Hall

Attend this panel discussion to learn how a postdoctoral position in academia, industry, or government can kick-start your career path. Find out if a postdoc could be the right choice for you. Registration is required.

Sponsored by the Graduate Student Collaborative, Office of Outreach & Graduate Student Professional Development.

Crafting an Effective Speech

Monday, March 10
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Union South (TITU)

Jeff Ebel, from Toastmasters International, will offer advice on how to organize an effective speech by offering tips on how to write a captivating introduction, focus on main points, and make an impactful conclusion. Registration is required.

Sponsored by the Graduate Student Collaborative, Office of Outreach & Graduate Student Professional Development.

Networking: The Swiss Army Knife of Career Planning

Wednesday, March 26
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Room 260, Bascom Hall

Get an overview of the career development process, learn how networking can be used in each phase, and discover how to network effectively. Facilitated by Sheila Jensen, Career Advisor for L&S Career Services. Registration is required.

Sponsored by the Graduate Student Collaborative, Office of Outreach & Graduate Student Professional Development.

Family Matters: The Unique Challenges of Balancing Family and Academics

Wednesday, March 26
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Eagle Heights Community Center

This student discussion panel, including partners, single parents, and co-parents, will offer perspectives on the unique challenges presented by the intersection of real life and the rigorous academic life of graduate students. Panelists will talk about their personal experiences and share the advice they’ve learned along the way and the resources that have made their lives easier. Pizza and complimentary childcare will be provided. Registration is required.

Sponsored by the Graduate Student Collaborative, Office of Outreach & Graduate Student Professional Development, Childcare and Family Resources, University Apartments.

Acing the Interview

Thursday, March 27
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Union South (TITU)

Gain advice on how to prepare for and answer questions in interviews and participate in small group practice interviews with peer feedback. Registration is required.

Sponsored by the Graduate Student Collaborative, Office of Outreach & Graduate Student Professional Development.

Library Workshops

Campus libraries workshops and tours help you learn how to find what you need quickly and efficiently. They will help you save time when deadlines for papers and projects approach. Most of these are hands-on. And best of all, they're free.

Topics include: Grants Information, Citations Managers, Internet Searching, Libraries in a Nutshell, Map Tools for Demographic Data, Publishing Your Research, RSS Feeds and Alert Services, and Web Based Learning Tools.

Visit the Web site to find out more about the upcoming workshops.

Writing Center Workshops

The Writing Center offers non-credit classes throughout the semester, held in Helen C. White Hall. Writing Center classes are free and are open to currently registered UW-Madison students. Each class will give you the chance to pick up valuable writing skills in a supportive, small-group environment. More information: http://www.wisc.edu/writing or 608-263-1992.

Free Instructional Workshops and Demos from DoIT

If you are faculty, an instructor or a teaching assistant who supports a UW-Madison timetable course, DoIT Academic Technology invites you to participate in one of several free trainings and demonstrations. Learn web development, Learn@UWtools and tricks, how to use clickers, and much more. See http://www.doit.wisc.edu/news/story.asp?filename=874 for details.

Additional Graduate Information Resources

Want more? See the Graduate Student Professional Development Web site, the GSC Web site, the University Events calendar, and Software Training for Students for general and specialized workshops.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Wisconsin Presidential Primary Election

Tuesday, February 19
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Look up your polling location here. Residents can register to vote at their polling place.

UW Space Place Lunar Eclipse Viewing

Wednesday, February 20
6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
2300 S. Park St.

Watch a total eclipse of the moon and learn more about lunar eclipses.

For more information: http://spaceplace.wisc.edu.

Bucky's Blood Drive

February 21 - 26
Noon - 6:00 p.m.
Union South (TITU)

Give blood to help save lives. A single donation helps up to three people. Walk-ins are welcome or make appointments at 1-800-GIVELIFE or http://www.givebloodgivelife.org. A donor card or photo ID is required. Donors must be over 17 years of age and 110 pounds.

Distinguished Lecture Series Presents David Walker

Wednesday, February 27
7:30 pm
Wisconsin Union Theater

The Distinguished Lecture Series presents David Walker of the Heritage Foundation, the Brookings Insitution, and the Concord Coalition Fiscal Wake-Up Tour, to discuss the long-term outlook for U.S. fiscal sustainability. Over the next few decades, our only chance is to make tough choices and tough sacrifices.

Free to all students, faculty and staff. Tickets are available at the Union Theater Box Office. www.union.wisc.edu/dls

SOCIAL EVENTS

Graduate Student Collaborative (GSC) Socials

Friday, February 15
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
The Great Dane Pub (123 E. Doty St.)

Friday, February 22
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Genna's Lounge (105 W. Main St.)

Friday, February 29
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
The Vintage (529 University Ave.)

Friday, March 7
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Madison's (119 N. King St.)

GSC Socials are held on Fridays during the semester to give grad students from all across campus a weekly chance to mingle, get to know people outside their department, and unwind from the hectic week.

Graduate Student Collaborative (GSC) Frequent Diners Club

The Frequent Diners Club meets at local restaurants once or twice a month.

Tuesday, March 4
7:30 p.m.
Buraka (543 State St.)

Meet new friends while enjoying some of the best traditional Ethiopian and east African food in Madison. We will meet in the entry of the restaurant. Email gsc@bascom.wisc.edu if you plan to attend so we can reserve a table.

Check the GSC Web site often to see where future social events will be held.

Academic Deadlines

Requests for all Masters warrants need to be submitted to the Graduate School for names to appear in the commencement program. Masters candidates should refer to: .../completedegree/mdegree.html for additional deadlines PhD candidates should refer to: .../completedegree/ddd.html for additional deadlines Friday, April 4	Friday, April 4
Last day to add without Graduate School permission. Last day to drop courses online. Last day to change section or number of credits. Last day to change to pass/fail. Last day to change to audit (Course Change form).	Friday, April 1
Last day to withdraw from Spring 2008 semester.	Friday, May 9
Spring degree deadline.	Friday, May 16

For a list of all fall and spring semester deadlines check www.registrar.wisc.edu/deadlines.php?term=1084