The REFEDS Distinguished Engineer Grant and Mentorship Program
The program is a exciting and unique opportunity that will link successful applicants with leading industry experts in research and education identity federations. Successful applicants will attend the international REFEDS meeting as well as the TNC conference in Europe. The program will help the successful applicant grow their understanding of the latest international best practices in federated identity management as well as build a global collegial network that will assist them and their region into the future.
The program will fund return economy travel to the event as well as a limited number of associated expenses.
The program will have a limited number of fully funded and partially funded places annually (subject to funding). A place in the program will be awarded by the REFEDS Steering Committee based on the applicant meeting a selection criteria.
In 2019, two grants will be offered.
Indicative Budget
Table 1 outlines the indicative budget for full sponsorship. Table 2 outlines the indicative budget for partial sponsorship.
REFEDS will provide resourcing for administrative support (set-up and coordinate the program annually) on an in-kind basis.
The final budgets are subject to REFEDS SC approval and may change depending on funding and or sponsorships available.
Full Sponsorship | Maximum Amount per fellowship |
---|---|
Economy return Airfare | USD$1500 |
5 nights Accommodation | USD $1000 |
Registration | USD $900 |
Incidentals | USD $500 |
Total est per person | USD $3900 / €3430 |
Table 1: Indicative full sponsorship budget per fellow
Partial Sponsorship | Maximum Amount per fellowship |
---|---|
Economy return Airfare | USD$1500 |
5 nights Accommodation | To be paid by the fellow’s organisation |
Registration | USD $900 |
Incidentals | To be paid by the fellow’s organisation |
Total est per person | USD $2400 / €2000 |
Table 2: Indicative partial sponsorship budget per fellow
About the Fellowship
The main purposes of the programme are to:
Build upon the strength of the international network of R&E federations in operation today
Provide a unique combination of experience and foster greater understanding of the operation of R&E identity federations and increase the level of participation by federation operators from emerging and developing identity federations.
Provide an opportunity for networking with leading industry experts
Identify and foster potential future leaders from new and developing R&E identity federations, and
Partner new federation operators with federation operators from more mature federations.
Awardees will be paired with a number of industry mentors and provided with a schedule of activities and meetings they will be required to attend at the REFEDS meeting and TNC conference. In addition attendees will be asked to do a 5 minute presentation on their geographic region at the end of the REFEDS meeting on a topic agreed between the fellow and REFEDS. This will be followed by contributing to a blog post sharing their experiences with the community post the event.
Expectations of Fellows
Fellows are expected to:
Prepare in advance of the REFEDS meeting by participating on the REFEDs mailing list and being familiar with various working-group discussions in their areas of interest;
Attend a defined program of events including the REFEDS meeting, plenary sessions, and relevant Trust and Identity sessions throughout the week;
A 5 minute presentation on their geographic region at the invited to attend the end of the REFEDS meeting on a topic agreed between the fellow and REFEDS.
Share the experience and knowledge gained at the REFEDS with their local communities when they return home;
After the event, contribute to a blog post about the program about what you learnt
Assist with administrative aspects of the programme, including completion of a follow-up survey.
Application Criteria and How To Apply
In order to qualify for a REFEDS Fellowship, applicants must:
Be a developer or operator in a technical or technical management capacity with a data network provider (including university networks), a local technical association, a university, or other similar organisation building a new or emerging R&E identify federation.
Demonstrate that they need financial assistance in attending the meetings through the program.
First seek the approval of their manager/supervisor before applying.
Preference will be given to applicants who originate from and reside in a emerging or developing economy, which traditionally have low rates of participation within REFEDS meetings, online forums and face to face events.
Applicants will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate strong motivation for being part of the program, meeting new people and be open to new ways of doing things.
Applicants are asked to submit via email to contact@refeds.org information addressing the following criteria:
Why should you be chosen? (maximum 1 page). You should cover:
How your role (technical and non-technical skills) would benefit
How your organisation would benefit
How your geographic region would benefit
Confirm you have the support of your organisation/manager/supervisor should you be awarded a fellowship.
2. Your role with R&E fedeations (maximum ½ page). You should cover:
The name of your countries federation, how many participants are part of your federation.
What activities you have been involved with in establishing, managing a R&E federation (eg. technology, policy, process, communications)
If you don’t have a federation yet, tell us what the plans are to create a federation.
3. What would you achieve through being awarded a fellow (maximum ½ page):
What you attend to accomplish or get out of attending a REFEDS meeting
how attending a REFEDS meeting would help you in your work or study
4. How you intend to apply experience when you return to your country (maximum ½ page):
Outline a plan for sharing the experience and knowledge you will gain through the program with others in their local area or region.
5. Indicate if you are applying for a full or partial application:
Outline the support from your manager/supervisor/organisation for partial or full funding.
Please note that the working language of REFEDS is English. Individuals applying for the Fellowship should be comfortable and able to follow technical discussions in the English language.
Application Process
The REFEDS Steering Committee will review all applications based on the Selection Criteria. The number of fellowships offered will depend on both funds available and quality of applications. If sufficiently qualified applicants do not apply, the fellowship will be put on hold until the next REFEDS meeting.
Timeline
15 March 2019 - submissions due
30 March 2019 - decision
15-20 June 2019 - REFEDS meeting and TNC19
Practical Information
Fellows receive the following:
Travel, accommodation, and meeting registration fees to TNC;
A schedule of meetings, conference events and introduction to a mentor from their area of interest to help them prepare for the meeting and network opportunities with other international experts in the field ;
A stipend for incidental expenses in line with the approved budget; and
A certificate of participation.