SESYNC has a variety of integrated programs to support socio-environmental synthesis. Our two core programs are Thematic Pursuits and Ventures which both involve individuals or teams of researchers working both separately and across projects to help meet socio-environmental challenges. Themes are identified by SESYNC through a community-driven process and we will fund a number of proposals for Pursuits relevant to each Theme. Ventures can be proposed on any topic relevant to socio-environmental science, but should represent a pressing need or something with the potential for a high reward. These two programs will be supported through a foundation created by interacting Post-doctoral, Sabbatical and Research Fellows, as well as graduate and undergraduate interns. Finally, we will accept proposals for independent workshops and offer short courses to continue to build a community of scholars with the skills and interest to pursue synthetic research. Throughout, we will work with our partners at Resources for the Future to foster Policy Translation and make the best use of the center's output. Applications that address educational and cyberinfrastructure needs are also encouraged and can be submitted in association with any of the below programs.
Thematic Pursuits
Thematic Pursuits are individual synthesis projects that address one or more of the key questions associated with a Theme. SESYNC will facilitate a community-driven process for the selection of multiple rotating Themes, each of which will have a portfolio of funded Pursuits. Two to three Themes will be ongoing at the center at any one time. The thematic approach provides a strategic basis for selected Pursuits to guide the integrated synthesis efforts directed at a Theme. The portfolio of Pursuit projects for a Theme will together create actionable science and foster co-learning, sharing of databases, computational and visualization tools —all focused on enhancing the success of individual Pursuits while leveraging activities to achieve greater overall outcomes on a Theme. Synthesis across Pursuits will be fostered through Theme meetings. Synthesis across Themes will also be supported and will provide a unique laboratory to study the synthesis process itself. A thematic structure provides opportunities to concentrate diverse researchers with a common thread of interest in time and place. Applications are generally submitted in response to a Request For Applications (RFA) with specific deadlines announced by the center. SESYNC covers the cost of travel, accommodations, and meals while Pursuit teams work on-site at the center. See program details for our Founding Theme and Pursuit Details and Application Guidelines.Ventures
Ventures are projects that stand out because they are particularly novel, creative or urgent. They need not be tied to a current center Theme. Ventures may be high risk, yet potentially high-reward. They should be focused on quickly generating knowledge in response to a pressing need or unexpected opportunity, or on developing tools or approaches that could markedly advance the synthesis process or the teaching of environmental synthesis. Potential applicants may wish to contact a SESYNC Director prior to submission. SESYNC covers the cost of travel, accommodations, and meals for Venture participants to work on-site at the Annapolis center. Applications may be submitted anytime but are reviewed quarterly. Interested applicants should carefully read the Venture Details and Application Guidelines to ensure their project is appropriate for this program.Education and Outreach
SESYNC is dedicated to fostering the development of socio-environmental synthesis skills among students and scholars at all stages of their career. The science and teaching of synthesis is a key objective and the SESYNC Education and Outreach Group will organize these efforts. Through study of the skills and attitudes necessary for success in the practice of synthesis, this group will support SESYNC research programs and contribute to the broader education and outreach objectives of the center. The Education and Outreach Program will support the development of teaching resources, a postdoctoral mentoring program, and a sabbatical and visiting scholars program for faculty teaching at minority serving institutions.Workshops
Workshops are single meetings with up to 40 participants to focus on a broad topic or a set of related topics, summarizing/synthesizing the state of the art, identifying future directions, exploring novel opportunities for synthesis, or developing educational or cyberinfrastructure products. Applicants will be expected to describe how the proposed workshop could lead to the production of actionable science focused on the sustainability of socio-environmental systems or build capacity through education or cyberinfrastructure to tackle problems unique to those systems. Organizers (1 or 2 leads) identify up to half of the participants with the remaining participant slots filled through open application. The applicants selected to attend are notified by SESYNC within two weeks of the application deadline. Individuals with a strong interest in the topic, including post-docs and graduate students, are encouraged to apply. SESYNC will provide support (travel, lodging, meals) for Workshop attendees. Applications may be submitted anytime but are reviewed quarterly. For details, see Workshop Details and Application Guidelines.Short Courses
Short Courses may be proposed on topics relevant to socio-environmental systems, the synthesis process, data management and analysis, or cyberinfrastructure tools. Short-courses are typically 3 - 10 days in duration and should be held at SESYNC headquarters in Annapolis. SESYNC provides travel, accommodations, and a small honorarium for instructors; accommodations, lunch, and local transportation are provided for participants. SESYNC handles the application and course administration logistics. Students are responsible for covering their travel to the center and their registration. Applications can be submitted at any time but will be reviewed quarterly. For details, see Short Course Details and Application Guidelines.Postdoctoral Fellowships
Postdoctoral Fellowships support early career researchers for two years to pursue independent social, environmental, or cyberinfrastructure synthesis projects that are consistent with the mission of SESYNC. Postdoctoral fellows will also participate in collaborative center activities. SESYNC leadership will work with successful applicants to co-develop the collaborative activities, but they could include such efforts as working with an existing Pursuit team, organizing a workshop, working on a cross-Pursuit or cross-Theme synthesis project, developing an education or outreach activity, or exploring visualization or other cyber tools. Fellows will have two mentors – a professional mentor on-site at SESYNC and a domain mentor at a SESYNC partner institution. SESYNC provides an annual stipend, full University of Maryland employee fringe benefits, and a small annual travel allowance to attend meetings or collaborate. There will be two application deadlines per year; for details, see Postdoctoral Details and Application Guidelines.Sabbatical Fellowships
Sabbatical Fellowships (2 – 12 months) support social, environmental, or cyberinfrastructure research activities that will advance the mission of SESYNC. Fellows are also expected to participate in collaborative center activities such as Pursuits, Ventures, Workshops, or outreach activities as part of their effort while in residence. SESYNC provides a stipend based on time in residence (not to exceed 50% of the fellow’s home institution salary) and a small housing allowance (up to $1000/month). Sabbatical Fellows are considered Visiting Scientists at the University of Maryland and therefore are not eligible for benefits under the USM system; benefits would continue through the Fellow’s home institution. Applications are accepted at any time but will be reviewed quarterly; for details, see Sabbatical Details & Application Guidelines.Short-term Visitors
Short-term Visitors (2 weeks – 2 months) are scholars in residence at SESYNC who work on synthesis projects. They are provided funds to travel to and work on-site, as well as technical support that will contribute to their scholarly efforts at SESYNC. Applicants should submit a letter to the Executive Director (at any time) outlining the purpose of their visit, the length, and the expected outcome.Policy and Practice Fellows
Policy and Practice Fellows propose short-term visits (Maryland Fellows
Maryland Fellows are from USM universities or other institutions within commuting distance who apply to work at SESYNC during periods of leave or sabbatical from their home institutions. The program provides an intellectually stimulating supportive and active community while in residence at SESYNC. Proposals can include any type of socio-environmental synthesis project, and may be from 2 months to 1 year. Participants are expected to spend the majority of their time at SESYNC and contribute to the in-house scientific community in some form. The University of Maryland (College Park) has a limited pool of funds for their tenure-track faculty. A limited stipend may be available for scholars from other institutions. For additional information, contact a SESYNC Director.Diversity Statement
Applications for any multi-participant activity such as a Pursuit, Workshop, or Venture requires a description of the aspects of diversity in the proposed participant list. Diversity is considered in all its aspects, social and scientific, including gender, ethnicity, scientific field, disability status, career stage, geography, and type of home institution.What SESYNC cannot fund
- SESYNC does not fund projects if the activity should be funded by another entity or the activity is not linked to the SESYNC mission.
- SESYNC does not fund collection of new empirical data that requires field work, surveys, or assessments at sites other than SESYNC.
- SESYNC does not fund projects requesting overhead or funds to be spent by the investigator at the investigator's home institution.