Emerging Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Eligibility
- Working with Placement Organizations and Projects
- About the Program
- Training and Workshops
- Selection Process
- Program Contacts
About eligibility
Are doctoral students eligible for the fellowship? (back to top)
At the commencement of the fellowship year, fellows should have completed masters or doctoral work. That is, full-time graduate student work would have been completed.
Are non-U.S. students eligible? (back to top)
At this time, the RWJF Evaluation Fellowship is limited to US citizens and permanent residents.
Be prepared to submit proof of citizenship upon request. The program administrators are not in a position to facilitate work permits or help with visa processing.
What constitutes a recently graduated student? (back to top)
Recently graduated students within three years of graduation are eligible for the program.
Please provide evidence of graduation date (e.g. transcript, diploma, etc…) on or after 1 January, 2007.
Working with Placement Organizations and Projects:
Are fellows expected to work full-time on their projects? (back to top)
Yes. The fellowship is designed as a full-time position with a sponsoring agency. Fellows will work on negotiated evaluation projects during the project year.
If candidates have an organization that is willing to work with you, can you include this information in your application? (back to top)
For organizations willing to serve as sponsoring organization, we would encourage them to contact (before the application deadline):
Vivian Figueredo, Project Manager
OMG Center for Collaborative Learning
1528 Walnut Street, Suite 805
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-732-2200 x233 (phone)
215-732-8123 (fax)
vivian@omgcenter.org
Meaning of Underrepresented
What does it mean to be “underrepresented in the field of evaluation”? (back to top)
The RWJF Evaluation Fellows program is open to applicants from any group that has been historically disadvantaged or underrepresented in program evaluation. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals from ethnic and racial minorities historically underrepresented in program evaluation. It also includes persons of all races and ethnicity who come from groups that have historically been disadvantaged or underrepresented in program evaluation, such as first-generation college graduates and people from low-income communities. These examples are intended to be illustrative, not exclusive. Applicants who do not fall within one of these categories but who believe they are from a historically disadvantaged or underrepresented background should explain their individual circumstances in their application.
Employment
Eligibible orgnizations will have: (back to top)
- established expertise and capacity in research and evaluation, and have research and evaluation projects underway,
- experienced evaluation staff to mentor and coach the RWJF Evaluation Fellow,
- the expressed willingness to provide a full-time, entry-level position in evaluation for the RWJF Fellow for one year, with the possibility of renewing the RWJF Fellow for an additional year. NOTE: the second year will not be supported by $10,000 from the RWJF Fellow Program,
- the expressed willingness to provide the RWJF Fellow with a competitive salary, based on the location of the placement and the Fellow’s prior professional experience ($45,000-$65,000). The placement organization must also provide the RWJF Fellow with the same employment benefits that other full-time employees of the organization receive (including health insurance). The placement organization will receive $10,000 from the RWJF Evaluation Fellows program to offset salary and benefits costs,
- the expressed willingness to release the RWJF Fellow from work four times per year for weeklong training workshops, and
- the expressed willingness to release the RWJF Fellow’s mentor one time per year to travel to a program meeting.
Qualification
How do I apply for the program? (back to top)
Before applying for the program please check the qualifications and eligibility requirements on the programs website. Please fill out the pre-qualifying questionnaire.
Website
Where is the application on the website? (back to top)
After answering the pre-qualifying questions the online system makes a determination of eligibility. If one qualifies they are sent to a page where they can create an online profile. Once this profile is created and saved a link will appear that says “Start the application.” NOTE: the profile information will not be reviewed during the selection process.
Purpose
What is the goal(s) or purpose of the RWJF Evaluation Fellows Program? (back to top)
The RWJF Evaluation Fellowship program seeks to provide individuals with the necessary skills and training to become program evaluators. The program aims to infuse the evaluation field with well-trained individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to meet the increasing diversity of programs and communities that the profession serves. The training focuses on evaluation in general with special emphasis on culturally responsive evaluation.
Duration
How long is the fellowship program? (back to top)
The fellowship program will last for twelve months.
Funding
How are the grants associated with the program to be used? (back to top)
We will select up to seven placement organizations to host an RWJF Fellow for one year beginning in February 1, 2010. We will provide a $10,000 award to each placement organization to offset the Fellows’ salary and benefits costs. (Separately, the RWJF evaluation Fellows program will provide Fellows with a travel stipend of up to $5,000 to attend program workshops.)
What locations are possible for placement? (back to top)
A number of placements around the country are currently being negotiated. Negotiations with placements will be finalized in the fall and selected finalists notified. Applicants can indicate their location preferences in their application.
What is the process that determines whether or not a fellow would have to relocate? Will fellows be involved in selecting a placement organization? (back to top)
Considerable care will be given to matters of relocation and fit between the project office, selected fellows, and sponsoring organizations. The timetable for the selection of finalists is the month of September.
About stipends/salaries
What is the salary range for fellows? Do fellows receive a stipend and if so what is the amount of the stipend? (back to top)
It depends on the institution, but pay will range between $40,000-$65,000 and include health benefits.
About advisors and mentors
What are the eligibility requirements for individuals who serve as advisors? (back to top)
Each fellow will select mentors/advisors either within their practice placement or other institution, preferably in the same region as their placement sites to encourage accessible communication as needed and scheduled. Mentors/advisors will agree to participate or sign an agreement about their responsibilities, negotiated time commitments, and other matters pertaining to the fellow’s project.
Location
Where will the workshops for fellows be held? (back to top)
Fellow s are expected to participate in four training workshops during the year, including the American Evaluation Association’s (AEA) annual conference. These workshops will be in various locations throughout the US. The workshops will provide Fellows with intensive training in evaluation approaches and methodology to complement their placement experience. Organizations must also release mentors for one program-wide meeting. The program will cover some travel expenses for Fellows, supervisors and mentors to attend the workshops and meetings.
What topics will be covered during the fellowship year? (back to top)
During the one-year fellowship, emerging professionals will work full-time in organizations that specialize in evaluation. The placement organization will provide Fellows with work projects that will build their skills in evaluation and research, including but not limited to: assisting in the development and conduct of surveys, questionnaires, and interview protocols; collecting, analyzing, and interpreting qualitative and quantitative findings; writing and producing written reports and other documents. In addition, the organization will make an effort to expose the RWJF Fellow to the following experiences: evaluation planning; proposal development; organizational management meetings; and client meetings. The practice and theoretical background of culturally responsive evaluation will be related to all these evaluation skills.
What is the deadline for submitting the application? (back to top)
To be considered, all application materials have to be completed and submitted by August 3, 2009.
Where do I send my supplementary materials? (back to top)
All supplementary materials for your application including letters of reference and official transcripts must be sent to:
Rosemary Rynn
Department of Foundations and Leadership
School of Education
Duquesne University
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282-0540
(412) 396-5568 (voice)
(412) 396-1681 (fax)
Who should I ask to write my recommendation letters? Do these individuals have to be faculty members? (back to top)
Your letters of recommendation should be written by people who know your work well. They can be faculty members or previous employers.
When can I expect to learn about being selected? (back to top)
Those applicants who are selected for further consideration will be invited to interviews with the fellowship administrators in early September 2009. Applicants not selected for interviews will be notified at this time as well. Final decisions are expected for late September/ early October. All fellowship recipients will then interview with placement agencies and placement will be decided.
Am I expected to pay for travels to interview locations? (back to top)
The fellowship funds will pay for travels and accommodations related to interviews.
When do I begin my work? (back to top)
Work at the placement agency begins on Monday, February 1, 2010.
Who will be reviewing fellowship applications? (back to top)
Members of the program’s advisory board will be reviewing the applications.
Miscellaneous questions
Will Fellows have the opportunity to renew their Fellowship for a second year? (back to top)
The program intends to reach as many emerging professionals as possible. Therefore the fellowship is for one year only.
What kind of job placement/career services is provided for Fellows involved in the program? (back to top)
During the year the fellows will have the opportunity to network at two major conferences and will learn about various evaluation agencies. This will help fellows to establish contacts.
Who should I contact with additional questions? (back to top)
For more informaiton contact:
Helga Stokes
(412) 396-4057
stokesh@duq.edu
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