Scialog Guide & FAQ

Scialog emphasizes small group discussions. One or two keynote presentations will frame the key issues, with most of the meeting devoted to discussion among the approximately 50 Scialog Fellows, who are early career scientists identified as rising stars in the area of the initiative’s theme. We hope everyone participates in a spirit of cooperation and intellectual generosity, sharing ideas and listening carefully to others.

Fellows engage in two types of group dialogue: 1) topical discussion groups consisting of about 10 Fellows and 1-2 Facilitators, and 2) mini discussion groups typically consisting of 2-3 Fellows.

The discussion topics for the topical groups are chosen based on the Fellows’ suggestions (made during online registration) and preferences (indicated in the preconference survey). Fellows are assigned to discussion groups based on their preferences and other factors, including intentionally mixing Fellows throughout multiple breakout sessions to generate interactions across disciplines and scientific approaches. The intent is for discussions to be forward-looking – where is the science going, what are the most promising and potentially impactful new directions in the topical area? Discussion groups provide opportunities for Fellows to interact with each other and to discover common or complementary scientific interests. Be sure to speak up with what may in other contexts be “far out” ideas – these discussions are intended to generate exciting new ideas for high risk/high impact projects.

The mini discussion groups allow Fellows who have not previously interacted to learn about each other’s interests and methodological approaches. These smaller groups may provide time to test out specific ideas for research collaborations, but Fellows in these mini groups are not required (or even expected) to team up on a proposal. Sometimes these mini discussions lead to exciting new projects; other times they simply involve a deeper exchange of ideas than can be achieved at typical scientific meetings. In either case, we hope Fellows find them valuable.

After participating in topical discussions and mini groups the first two days of the conference, Scialog Fellows decide with whom they would like to form new collaborations. Fellows self-assemble into teams of two or three, with the requirement that Fellows on these teams have not previously collaborated. Each team writes a two-page proposal for one year of seed funding for a new collaborative project. Projects should be novel, high-risk, and potentially high-impact. Fellows can join up to two teams, but only with different team members. Proposals are due at 6:30 a.m. the final morning of the conference.

Be bold and you will have a better chance of being funded – and more importantly of doing better science!

On the final morning of the conference, teams present short pitches for collaborative research projects. Details on the exact format is given at each meeting, but the presentations should communicate the main idea of the proposed project, explain its novelty and potential high impact, and the role of each team member.

Even if your proposal is not funded, Scialog is a great opportunity for Fellows to interact with each other and with the Facilitators, who are distinguished scientists. In addition, program officers from multiple foundations usually attend, so the meeting is also a great opportunity for Fellows to learn about research opportunities at different foundations, and get to know program officers, who are interested in the topic of the Scialog initiative.

Scialog is meant to be a rapid-fire, fun experience — a vehicle for networking with peers and for collegially generating new ideas.

Where should the science go? That’s up to where great early career scientists wish to take it. Let’s find out at Scialog!

Fellows are early career faculty members at universities and colleges in the United States and Canada, with “early career” defined as any time from just accepting an institution’s faculty offer as a beginning assistant professor through one or two years post-promotion to associate professor (i.e., typically within eight years of their first independent appointment). Graduate students and post-doctoral fellows (unless already having accepted an independent appointment) are not eligible. Scientists at research institutes, national laboratories, and similar organizations are also considered if they are at an equivalent early career stage as an independent investigator overseeing their own research group. The upper end of the “early career” range is not fixed, but nominees will have reduced priority the more advanced they are in their career trajectory. If a faculty member has had a nonlinear career track or taken leave, they should explain that in the nomination and make a case for inclusion as an “early career” academic scientist.

Potential Fellows submit their own nominations through RCSA’s online portal. Active, early career scientists who believe they can contribute innovative ideas to Scialog themes are welcome to self-nominate. RCSA also relies on institutional leaders, senior faculty who serve as facilitators for the initiative, our broad community of Scialog Fellows and Cottrell Scholars, and the networks of foundation cosponsors, to help identify strong candidates for each initiative, whom RCSA can then encourage to self-nominate. To be selected as a Scialog Fellow, a nominee should be a highly promising early career scientist with a track record of significant research accomplishments commensurate with career level. Thus, selection as a Fellow is an honor and should be listed on your CV under honors and awards.

Each cohort of Fellows is chosen from among the nominees with the goal of creating a highly diverse and inclusive group to maximize interactions across fields and methodologies, institutions, geographic regions, and backgrounds. The first step of the review process is an assessment of your qualifications based on your CV/bio-sketch. The second step is the statement of your research interests and how they relate to the topic of the initiative. The third step involves the taxonomy of your research interests and approaches. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the topics chosen for Scialog themes, each fellow represents part of the disciplinary matrix that will ensure the right collection of expertise is present for the conversations. We at RCSA believe that great science happens at many types of colleges, universities, and research institutions, and our Scialog Fellows represent that mix.

If you are still an early career scientist, you are eligible to apply. You may have reduced priority, especially if you received a Scialog Award through that prior initiative.

All costs at the meeting are covered – your individual room, meals, and meeting registration. Scialog Fellows cover their own transportation costs, but RCSA will consider providing a travel scholarship if those costs are a barrier to participation. You will have the opportunity to request a travel scholarship when you register for the conference.

RCSA recognizes that participation can be difficult for individuals serving as dependent caregivers to small children, elderly parents, etc. RCSA has a policy to help support Fellows with these needs. You will have the opportunity to request caregiver support funds when you register for the conference.

Participants should arrive at the conference hotel by 4:00 p.m. to get checked in before the opening session at 5:00 p.m. on the first day of the conference. We usually wrap up by 11:00 a.m. on the final day of the conference. Plan to depart for the airport no earlier than that. Let us know if your situation requires a different travel plan.

Yes. The essence of Scialog is dialogue and community building, which starts at the opening reception and continues through the final morning’s proposal presentations. Attending the entire meeting is paramount and is required.

Yes. Your family may share your room, but recognize that the Scialog schedule is packed from morning through evening. Your family is welcome to enjoy the resort while you are busy at the meeting, but your family costs are a personal expense.

Proposals are conceived, written, and submitted during Scialog convenings. During the meeting, Scialog Fellows interact in multiple breakout discussion groups and informal conversations. Fellows are encouraged to self-assemble into new collaborative teams, typically consisting of two or three (and occasionally four) Fellows. During the latter part of the meeting, teams write proposals for seed funding of blue-sky research ideas that emerge from the discussions. Team members cannot have previously collaborated on other research projects. Each Fellow may be part of two teams at each meeting, and Fellows typically attend two or even all three of the series of meetings.

If success is defined as a funded Scialog proposal, then about half of the Fellows who attend more than one meeting in the series receive at least one Scialog grant. RCSA defines success more broadly, however. Scialog Fellows make connections they rely on throughout their careers, and many collaborations initiated at a Scialog proceed without a Scialog award, securing later funding through other sources. Scialog is in part a platform for rapidly catalyzing new funded collaborations. Beyond that, Scialog is a process for building interdisciplinary communities to tackle highly challenging and important scientific questions. Membership in such a community provides opportunities for many forms of success.

Typically not from the co-sponsors of the Scialog initiative, but in some cases funds have been identified specifically for such follow-on awards. If follow-on funding is available, that would be announced at the Scialog. Certainly, the preliminary data obtained with the one-year Scialog grant could provide the basis for applications to other funding agencies and foundations, and many teams have received additional support to continue and grow their Scialog projects.