Administered by the National Academies

1. Ford Foundation Predoctoral, Dissertation, and Postdoctoral Fellowships for Minorities:A Program Overview by a Former Fellow Administered by the National Academies Presented by Ashanti J. Pyrtle University of South Florida College of Marine Science for the Biocomplexity LWI/CC Workshop Oct. 4, 2003 USC Wrigley Marine Science Center Catalina Island, CA

2. FordFoundationFellowshipsforUnderrepresentedMinorities Eligibility • U.S. citizen or national • Member of a specific underrepresented minority group (Alaska Natives, Black/African Americans, Mexican, Americans/Chicanas/Chicanos, Native American, Native Pacific Islander & Puerto Ricans) • Studying a research-based discipline • Intend to pursue a career in research AND teaching Fields of Study • Research-based fields in the Sciences, Social Sciences, or Humanities (also research-based Education for Dissertation and Postdoctoral)

3. FordFoundationFellowshipsforUnderrepresentedMinorities Fellowship Awards • Predoctoral: 60 fellowships, $17K/year for 3 years, $6K/year cost-of-education allowance,Conference of Ford Fellows, Ford Liaisons, Virtual Community Membership (ACTIVE listserv) • Dissertation: 35 fellowships, $21K for 1 year, $6K cost-of-education allowance,Conference of Ford Fellows, Ford Liaisons , Virtual Community Membership (ACTIVE listserv) • Postdoctoral: 20 fellowships, $40K for 1 year, $1.5K employing institution allowance (to be matched by employing institution),Conference of Ford Fellows, Ford Liaisons , Virtual Community Membership (ACTIVE listserv)

4. FordFoundationFellowshipsforUnderrepresentedMinorities Conference of Ford Fellows ‘A select group of high-achieving scholars from minority backgrounds’ • Conference themes appeal to diverse community of scholars and address current events • Planned by a committee of former Ford Fellows • Networking with peers and elders • Meetings with university & academic presses • Career advancement and discipline specific exchange sessions • Interaction with established & emerging scholars in diverse fields • 1 on 1 advising/guidance, etc. with elders • Meet with liaisons (based on geographic locations) Ford Fellows Conference Agenda 2003.htm

5. FordFoundationFellowshipsforUnderrepresentedMinorities • Feel free to contact the Fellowship Office for more information • 202-334-2872 • Infofell@nas.edu • http://www7.nationalacademies.org/FELLOWSHIPS/2003_Ford_Conference.html.

6. Ashanti‘Suné’ PyrtleCommonThreadsin Relevant Experiences Program Participation & Outcomes • 1994 Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellow ($, PD, M, N, CB) • 1995 – 1999 American Geological Institute Minority Participant Program Fellow ($, PD, M, N) • 1995 – 1999 Student Participant in the ASLO Minority Student Mentoring Program (M, N, CB) • 1997 EPA STAR Fellow ($, N) • 1998 - present Mentor for ASLO Minority Student Mentoring Program (M, N, CB) • 1999 DIALOG Participant (PD, N, CB) • 1999 DISCO Participant (PD, N, CB) • 2001 Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow ($, PD, M, N, CB) • 2001 American Association University Women Postdoctoral Fellow ($, N) • 2001 – 2003 Coordinator for Georgia Tech’s Facilitating Academic Careers in Engineering and Science Program ($, PD, M, CB) • 2002 – present Director of Minorities Striving and Pursuing Higher Degrees in Success (MS PHD’S) in Earth System Science ($, PD, M, N, CB) • 2003 Participant in the Association of Women Geoscientists “Where are the Women Geoscience Professors” Workshop (PD, N, CB) • 2003 Carnegie Mellon University’s "Fusion Forum: Creating Partnerships for Educational Opportunities" Speaker & Mentoring Session Facilitator (PD, M, N) $: Financial Award; PD: Professional Development; M: Mentoring; N: Networking; CM: Community Building