ALL SCHOLARS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND ALL OF THE ANNUAL MEETING EACH OF THE FOUR YEARS IN THE PROGRAM.

Failure to attend the annual meeting is grounds for discontinuation of the award.

The 2012 Annual Meeting will be Wednesday, October 3 (afternoon) through Friday, October 5 (mid-afternoon) in Las Vegas.

Timing

Annual meetings are generally in October, although some have been in September or November. They begin on a Wednesday with a reception, dinner, and Edward Hook Memorial Lecture (usually delivered by an alum of the AMFDP’s precursor program). Thursday’s program consists of presentations by second-year Scholars and their mentors. Friday is devoted to talks by alumni, comments by fourth-year Scholars, and career development workshops.

Responsibilities

First-year Scholars meet with their mentors and their assigned National Advisory Committee mentors to discuss their progress and plans. This is a very informal meeting, and may take place during a break or a meal. Second-year Scholars make formal, 15-minute presentations to the entire group, followed by five-minute commentaries by their mentors placing the research in a larger context. Third-year Scholars have no formal role in the meeting, but are expected to attend all sessions. Fourth-year Scholars make seven-minute “valedictory remarks” presentations, which may recap research successes with slides, or may focus on the personal impact of the award on career and person. All mentors meet with the NAC as a whole to discuss problems and issues. First-year mentors meet informally with their Scholar and assigned NAC member as discussed above, and second-year mentors comment on research presentations as noted above.

Who is invited?

All Scholars are expected to attend all of the meeting. Mentors of first- and second-year Scholars are invited, as are mentors new to the program. If a mentor can not come to the meeting, an appropriate substitute familiar with the Scholar’s research may attend. Each year, a limited number of alumni and outside speakers attend. Of course, the members of the NAC and staff of the RWJF attend as their schedules permit.

Who pays?

Mentors, NAC, and alumni are guests of the program, and will have economy-class transportation, lodging, and meals reimbursed. Scholars pay for attendance at the meeting from their grants.