Overview
The National Institute for Congestion Reduction (NICR) invites qualified candidates whose research reflects excellence to apply for a 2021 Graduate/Undergraduate Research Fellowship or Doctoral Dissertation Research Award. The goal of these awards is to support careers in transportation research and promote greater interaction between academia and industry by encouraging students to conduct innovative research that will help reduce congestion on the nation’s transportation system.
For the 2021 Graduate/Undergraduate Research Fellowships, up to three awards of $2000 will be provided to qualified graduate or undergraduate students with a research proposal that advances innovation in congestion reduction research.
For the 2021 Doctoral Dissertation Award, a total of $24,000 is available to one or more students who whose dissertation research reflects excellence.
Eligibility
Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents in the U.S. and are either pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree (Fellowship) or enrolled in a Ph.D. program (Dissertation Award) prior to the application deadline.
NICR Awards are open to all students currently enrolled in a related program at the University of South Florida (USF).
Successful research proposals must be relevant to NICR’s focus on congestion reduction. Examples include optimizing the efficiency and reliability of travel for multi-modal transportation system users, data modeling, analytical tools, economic measures, planning and policy measures, and emerging technologies. Go to the NICR research in progress website for more examples and inspiration: http://nicr.usf.edu/research/research-in-progress/.
The research supported by these awards may be in any discipline; topics that advance understanding of congestion reduction across multiple disciplines are also encouraged. All students receiving an award must complete a final report to USDOT documenting their findings and noting how the award has benefitted their career.
How to Apply
Complete either the Graduate/Undergraduate Fellowship or the Ph.D. Dissertation Award application below and compile it into a single PDF. Submit via email to NICR@usf.edu. Reviews of applications will begin Thursday, September 30, 2021.
Selection Process
The NICR Executive Committee will evaluate the applications. Reviewers will evaluate the applications based on three criteria:
- Relevance to NICR research,
- Innovation of the research ideas and methodology, and
- Feasibility of the research and its ability to be applied, as well as its approach and timeline
Applicants will be notified of outcomes on or before November 5, 2021.
Other Terms and Conditions
- Award recipients will continue to work on proposed work and remain in good standing in their Ph.D. or Graduate/Undergraduate program during the year that the funds are awarded.
- Award recipients will provide an electronic copy of their dissertation or research report to NICR (NICR@usf.edu) that, with permission, will be posted on our website and publicly archived if appropriate.
Thank you for your interest in the National Institute for Congestion Reduction and our Ph.D. Dissertation Research Award & Graduate/Undergraduate Fellowship. Please email NICR@usf.edu for a prompt reply to any questions.
2021 NICR Ph.D. Dissertation Research Award Application
You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.to qualify for this award.
Please email contents in a single pdf.
Section 1: Application Overview and Contact Details
- Project title:
- Doctoral candidate:
- Date of advancement to candidacy:
- Home mailing address:
- Campus mailing address:
- Home telephone:
- Mobile telephone:
- Email address:
- Are you a U.S. citizen or are you a permanent resident of the U.S.?
- Faculty supervisor and other dissertation committee members, including name, title, department, campus address, campus telephone number, and email address.
Section 2: Dissertation Proposal Executive Summary (200 words maximum)
Section 3: Dissertation Proposal Synopsis (5-page maximum)
A synopsis of the dissertation proposal, not to exceed five, single-spaced pages in 12-point font with at least one-inch margins. Please include the following:
- The research problem and its relevance and alignment to NICR,
- Research approach, including tasks to be completed, methodology, and data sources,
- Expected results and their significance, and
- Schedule for completion of all tasks.
Section 4: Curriculum Vita (2-page maximum)
Section 5: Graduate Transcript (unofficial copy is sufficient)
Section 6: Letter of nomination from the dissertation Chair, if multidisciplinary a second letter from the appropriate committee member, as well as a Statement of Advancement to Candidacy from the applicant’s school/department.
2021 NICR Undergraduate/Graduate Research Award Application
You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.to qualify for this award.
Please email contents in a single pdf.
Section 1: Application Overview and Contact Details
- Project title:
- Degree Program and Concentration:
- Projected Graduation Date:
- Home mailing address:
- Campus mailing address:
- Home telephone:
- Mobile telephone:
- Email address:
- Are you a U.S. citizen or are you a permanent resident of the U.S.?
- Academic Advisor:
Section 2: Description of Research Proposal (1-2 pages)
A description of the proposed research/activities, not to exceed two, single-spaced pages in 12-point font with at least one-inch margins. Include in this description your objectives, methods, and how your research/activities will advance innovation and help reduce congestion on the nation’s transportation system.
Section 3: Graduate Transcript (unofficial copy is sufficient)
NOTE: If you are awarded this scholarship, at the completion of your research activities you must submit a report to NICR@usf.edu that summarizes your activities and how the scholarship benefited your study.
