click here to register for the reception and speed networking event on Saturday evening October 25!

click here to view the agenda and  workshop descriptions.

Meeting Overview

New Connections: Increasing Diversity of RWJF Programming is excited to announce its second Research and Coaching Clinic to be held during the 2008 American Public Health Association conference in San Diego, CA on Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26, 2008. Building upon the success of our inaugural Research and Coaching Clinic, this clinic is designed to increase the visibility and enhance the skill sets of New Connections grantees, alumni, and potential applicants.

Our Vision

New Connections' vision is to create a network of support for grantees, alumni, and applicants through its networking, mentoring, and training events. The New Connections program is designed to expand the diversity of perspectives that inform RWJF programming and introduce new researchers and scholars to the Foundation, while simultaneously helping to meet staff needs for data analysis that measures progress towards program objectives.

What Attendees Said Last Time

Participants of the 2007 Research and Coaching Clinic gave the conference an extremely positive evaluation. 90% of the participants stated they learned material that would help them implement and improve their research career, and 90% of the participants ranked the Clinic as "Good" or "Very Good" in its ability to facilitate knowledge sharing and to help participants discover new potential collaborations. One participant stated "I've gone to a lot of trainings over the past year and this is one of the best. It addressed topics in new, exciting presentations. I have learned a lot more than I have from presentations of similar topics." Accordingly, a staggering 100% of participants said they would recommend future New Connections events to their colleagues.

Meeting Highlights and Activities

The New Connections Research & Coaching Clinic is an exciting opportunity for researchers to improve their skills while simultaneously having their research and career questions answered. The Clinic also provides a valuable opportunity for researchers to meet and network with other researchers who share similar interests.

Workshops will build upon suggestions shared in the evaluation of the 2007 Research and Coaching Clinic. The tentative agenda includes:

• A panel on the tenure/promotion process
• A session on writing for publication
• A session on communications
• An evening networking reception

Eligibility for Travel Stipends

New Connections supports the careers of two types of researchers: Junior Investigators and Senior Consultants. Junior Investigators are individuals who received their doctorate within the last seven years. Senior Consultants have 10-15 years of conducting research in the community. Researchers must be from historically disadvantaged and underrepresented communities, which include individuals from ethnic or racial minorities, low-income communities, first-generation college graduates, or others who historically have been underrepresented in research disciplines supported by RWJF.

Reimbursement

RWJF New Connections will reimburse accepted researchers up to $1000 to cover travel, lodging, and registration costs associated with attendance. There are no registration fees for the Research and Coaching Clinic, but participants may choose to attend the optional American Public Health Association's annual meeting. Costs must be incurred between August 1, 2008-October 26, 2008.

How to Apply and Register

Attendance at the New Connections Research and Coaching Clinic is by application only. The application period is now closed.

If you would like to attend the evening reception on Saturday, October 25, please click here in order to register. Please note that only the first 150 respondents will be registered, after which a waiting list will be created. All registrants will be asked to confirm their attendance a week before the event.

Dates to Remember

• Tuesday, September 16 (3 p.m. ET) - Application Deadline.
• Friday, October 3 - Applicants will be notified of their acceptance.
• October 17(5p.m. ET)- Reception registration deadline
• October 25, 2008 - Research and Coaching Clinic Begins
• October 26, 2008 - Research and Coaching Clinic Adjourns
• October 26, 2008 - American Public Health Association annual meeting Begins

Questions

For more information about the New Connections Research and Coaching Clinic or New Connections: Increasing Diversity of RWJF Programming please contact:

Hallene Williams, Project Director
New Connections
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
E-mail: rwjf-newconnections@rwjf.org