Distinguished Sabbatical Scholars

This program is designed for senior researchers who would like to see their long-term, high-value data collections preserved in a digital archive and made available to the evolutionary biology community with sufficient auxilliary information that the data can be used in perpetuity.  NESCent staff will work with the Distinguished Scholar to digitally archive field notes, lab measurements, image files, etc. and make the data available at the time of the Scholar's choosing (e.g. immediately or following the Scholar's retirement). 

NESCent is committed to making data, databases, software and other products that are developed as part of NESCent activities available to the broader scientific and education communities. Applicants should review the Data And Software Policy for NESCent.


Before you Apply

All applicants are encouraged contact Allen Rodrigo, Director of NESCent or Susan Alberts, Associate Director of Science and Synthesis, for feedback on project ideas.  Please review our Conflict of Interest, Reporting Requirements, and Data And Software policies before applying.  For technical support, write help@nescent.org


Duration and Financial Support

For specific, targeted activities, the Center will pay stipends up to the equivalent of a full salary for targeted sabbaticals (monthly stipend equal to 1/12 of 9-month salary at home institution). A housing allowance up to $1000/month can also be provided.  This allows individuals to come without regard to their personal sabbatical schedules, but justifies the expectation that these individuals will devote effort to deliverable products. We strongly prefer sabbaticals of 6 months to 1 year; however, for people who want to spend a substantial amount of time at NESCent doing a project, but are unable to commit to a 6 month or more time period, we encourage you to propose alternative arrangements.

Proposals are considered twice a year, with deadlines on July 10th and December 1st.   Proposals will be evaluated in terms of both the scientific value of the project and the qualifications of the applicant. 

Proposals for Targeted Sabbaticals


Proposals for targeted sabbaticals are short, not to exceed 5 single-spaced (12-pt type) pages, plus a 2-page CV.  Proposals should be organized as follows:

  1. Title (80 characters max)
  2. Name and contact information (email, phone, mailing address)
  3. Project Summary (250 words max)
  5. Introduction and Goals-A statement of the outstanding challenge being addressed and a concise review of the concept and the literature to place the project in context.
  6. Proposed Activities-A summary of the specific activities to be performed during the course of the sabbatical.
  7. Rationale for NESCent support-How will the developed digital archive contribute to ongoing evolutionary synthesis?  Why can this activity be most effectively conducted at NESCent?
  8. Collaborations with other NESCent Activities-We strongly encourage synergy between sabbatical scholars, short-term visitors, working groups, catalysis groups, and postdoctoral fellows.  If you plan for such collaboration please provide specifics.
  9. Proposed Timetable-Include start date, month, and year.
  11. Anticipated Results-Include a clear statement of anticipated resources and products, and anticipated public release of resources and products.
  12. Short CV of the applicant (2 pages)

Proposal Submission

Proposals will be accepted in digital format only as a pdf file. Graphics should be embedded directly into the proposal document. Note that proposals should be submitted as a single pdf file including all of the components listed above. Proposals are submitted electronically. Please login first if you have already created a profile.