ADEA Enid A. Neidle Scholar-in-Residence Program

Purpose

This Scholar-in-Residence Program honors Enid A. Neidle, former President of ADEA (1985-86). Under her leadership, ADEA adopted its policy of promoting the advancement of women in dental education. The program offers a unique opportunity for a dental educator to concentrate on issues affecting women faculty. 

Overview

The Enid A. Neidle Scholar-in-Residence receives a $15,000 stipend to engage in a cumulative fellowship that consists of visits to ADEA headquarters in Washington, DC and protected time at their home institution to pursue research, networking and leadership development opportunities. While in Washington, DC and through virtual engagements, the scholar gains a distinct perspective on a wide variety of topics impacting dental education and women, including issues related to oral health, health care, gender equity, diversity and inclusion, leadership development, faculty development and advancement, workforce patterns, research, global health, the academic health professions and gender-based issues.

Each scholar is assigned a senior ADEA staff member(s) and is involved in a variety of ADEA activities in addition to their primary research project. Each scholar’s experience is unique and tailored to fit their individual needs and capitalize on current and contemporary issues within academic dentistry, health care and our rapidly changing world. ADEA will be flexible in the arrangement of the scholar’s visits to Washington, DC and their research activities.

The Fellowship Experience

ADEA supports the scholar by providing the opportunity to engage in a range of experiences to support progress in your research project and enrich your personal and professional development, which may include:

• Expanding your professional network through meetings with leaders in higher education;
• Completing an annotated bibliography;
• Gaining an understanding of existing data, programs and resources in your focus area;
• Participating in advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill;
• Understanding best research approaches;
• Conducting preliminary or exploratory investigation;
• Developing a draft report or preliminary study;
• Establishing a research plan and identifying potential funding sources;
• Participating in special events and meetings for alums of ADEA scholar and fellow programs; and
• Other experiences, as arranged. 

ADEA recognizes that while the scholar has release time from their institution to participate in these programs that responsibilities still exist and time to devote to projects is still limited. For these reasons, ADEA staff work with each scholar to customize an experience that enhances their career and prepares them for future success as a dental educator.

Contacts and Resources

The scholar will connect and network with organizations, associations, governmental leaders and ADEA members to enrich their professional growth, learning and research pursuits.

Outcomes

The outcome(s) of the scholar experience is specific to each individual and the plan set forth at the start of the program. The scholar is requested to attend the ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition at the start of their scholar year to be recognized at various events and meetings and at the conclusion of their scholar year to offer a presentation on their research project.

Eligibility Requirements

An applicant must:

• Be a full-time woman faculty member with a primary teaching appointment in a predoctoral, allied or advanced dental educational program at an ADEA Member Institution. (Junior faculty are encouraged to apply.)
• Receive prior approval from their Dean or Program Director supporting their application and full participation in the program if selected.
• Be an ADEA Individual Member.

Application Deadline

All applications must be submitted online by Sept. 19, 2024. Applications will not be considered if they are incomplete or submitted after Sept. 19, 2024. 

Application Process Checklist

The following items must be submitted by Sept. 19, 2024, using the ADEA online application process.

1. One Nominator Letter: A letter of nomination from the applicant’s Dean or Program Director specifying how the fellowship would benefit the institution and the applicant and agreeing to pay her salary and fringe benefits for the duration of the ADEA Enid A. Neidle Scholar-in-Residence program. Applicants will be asked in the online application to provide the name and email address of the nominator who will submit the letter on their behalf. The nominator will receive an email from LundE@adea.org with instructions for uploading their nomination letter.
2. One Letter of Reference: A formal letter from an individual who will serve as a mentor (may be a department/program chair). The reference will provide additional guidance regarding the applicant’s research during the fellowship. The letter should note particular ways in which the mentor can offer research support to advance the applicant’s skills and project. Applicants will be asked in the online application to provide the name and email address of the individual agreeing to serve as a reference and mentor. The mentor will receive an email from LundE@adea.org with instructions for uploading their letter of support.
   
3. A research summary (1 page maximum) describing your proposed research project inclusive of a title, purpose, relevant background/context, problem statement and research question(s).
4. A current curriculum vitae.
5. A personal statement (two pages maximum) addressing the following questions:
   • What are your general interests and expectations for the ADEA Enid A. Neidle Scholar-in-Residence experience?
   • How will this experience help you in your personal development?
   • How will this experience help your institution, ADEA and ADEA members? 
6. A brief annotated bibliography (two pages maximum) related to your research topic.
   For examples of annotated bibliographies, see the University of Central Florida Writing Center or the Purdue University Online Writing Lab.
   

Notification Date

Select applicants for the Enid A. Neidle Scholar-in-Residence Program will receive a virtual interview and all applicants will be notified of their application status no later than Dec. 6 of each year. The new Enid A. Neidle Scholar-in-Residence awardee will be recognized at the ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition.