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		The CRA Distributed Mentor Project
		     Application Information

Introduction
------------
	The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded the
Computing Research Association (CRA) $530,000 for continued support of
a distributed mentor project for undergraduate females in computer
science and computer engineering (CS&E).  The intent of the program is
to increase the number of women entering graduate school in CS&E by
involving them in research at a university with a female mentor.
Because of the limited number of female researchers in CS&E who can
serve as role models and mentors, we feel the undergraduates should be
brought directly to the professors for a summer of research.  Students
will be involved in research and will also learn how a research
university operates, meet graduate students and professors, and get a
chance to observe a successful female researcher up close.

Basic Structure
---------------
	Both students and professors apply to the CRA.  The deadline
for applications is February 1, 1996.  A committee will examine the
applications and select at least 20 student/professor matches for
funding.  Notification of matches will be given by March 15, 1996.

	Funding consists of approximately $5,000 per match.  Some of
this money is given directly to the student to pay a stipend and cover
lodging.  (Lodging costs vary, usually in the range $1,000-1,500.) The
CRA reimburses travel expenses.  A student's funding is intended to
cover up to ten weeks of research in the summer of 1996 but
alternative arrangements are possible.  Mentors and their universities
receive no funding for the summer of research, but limited funds will
be available to cover conference travel for selected students and
mentors after the summer of research.

	Mentors and students will be given training packages on
mentoring, and will be expected to participate in an electronic
discussion group.  This will provide additional mentoring
opportunities while distributing the load among mentors, and will
establish cohesiveness among all participants.  It is intended to
be a source of support for both mentors and students.

	One aspect of the continuing project is a longitudinal
evaluation, covering all five years of the project (1994-1998).  This
third-party evaluation is intended to provide formative feedback and
to access the long-term impact of the project. The evaluation is NOT
intended to check on the performance of individuals participating in
the project, and participants' anonymity will be maintained as far as
is possible. All participants are expected to take part in the
evaluation; the time involved will be minimal.

	Copies of this application form and other useful information
can be accessed on the web at http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~condon/mentor.html, 
by anonymous FTP at ftp.cs.wisc.edu:/cra-mentor/, and from the AFS file 
system at afs/cs.wisc.edu/p/ftp/cra-mentor. An interim evaluation report 
will be available at these electronic locations by mid-January.


Students: Criteria for Selection
--------------------------------
	Applicants should be female undergraduates (US citizens or
permanent residents) at a US college or university who are seriously
considering graduate studies in CS&E. First consideration will be
given to sophomores and juniors (completing two or three years by the
summer of 1996).  However, first-year students with the skills needed
for research and seniors considering graduate school later than
September 1996 also may apply.
	The primary criteria for selection are:

1. The student's experience and skills must match the needs of some 
professor's research project.

2. The student's record and recommendations
should indicate the potential for success in graduate school.  

3. We would like to select students who stand to gain the most from
the experience (for example, students at institutions unable to offer
research opportunities with female professors.)

Student applications
--------------------
	Students should send a transcript, letters of recommendation,
statement, and other basic information requested below.  All
materials are due February 1, 1996.  Electronic submission is
encouraged. Send materials to cra-student@cs.wisc.edu.  Send
transcripts and other non-electronic information to:

		Anne Condon
		Computer Sciences Department
		University of Wisconsin
		Madison, WI 53706, USA
		(608) 262-3158; fax: (608) 262-9777

1. Basic information
	Name
	Indicate if you are a US Citizen or permanent resident or will be
	by Summer 1996 (required by NSF)
	School in which currently enrolled
	Academic year address, telephone
	Permanent home address, telephone
	E-mail address
	Number of years completed by May 1996
	Major

2. Transcript
	Send an official transcript, including courses taken through
December 1995, grades and a list of courses to be taken spring 1996 to
Anne Condon at U. Wisconsin.  (An unofficial copy may be sent first if
the official copy might be late.)

3. Letters of Recommendation
	Letters of recommendation are important for predicting
	likely success in graduate school.  However, we understand that
	some students may not have connected enough with a professor
	to obtain a substantive letter of recommendation.  Therefore,
	letters are optional, but we encourage students to have TWO LETTERS
	submitted if possible. Recommenders should contact Anne Condon 
	directly. Electronic submissions are acceptable; 
	E-mail: cra-student@cs.wisc.edu.
	
4. Technical Statement
	We ask for a statement of approximately 500 words detailing
	your interests in CS&E, and the specific skills you have attained
	(programming language proficiency, operating systems familiarity,
	hardware design experience and other skills not evident from your 
	transcript).

5. Mentoring Statement

	To help us match you with a mentor, please rank the following topics
	according to your interest in them: career opportunities in academia
	or industry; balancing work and family life; improving self-confidence;
	dealing with a chilly working environment; establishing professional 
	contacts and learning about the research process. If you wish, 
	you may indicate minority status, disability, sexual orientation or 
	any other factor you would like us to consider.  

	Let us know about any mentoring-related resources you have
	used in the past (such as mentoring programs, electronic resources,
	extra-curricular technical groups).  Are you interested in an
	electronic discussion group involving other participating students and
	mentors?


6. Restrictions
	Please let us know of any geographic restrictions or time
	constraints that would affect a match.  In previous years, 
	a number of worthy applicants could not be funded because of 
	overly-precise geographical preferences. Also let us know if
	there a particular professor with whom you would like to work.


Professors: Criteria for selection
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	Potential mentors should be female CS&E professors at US
universities with active research programs into which the students may be 
integrated.  The primary criteria for selection are:  

1. The professor should have a research project suitable for
undergraduates and that matches the skills of some student applicants.

2. The professor's university environment should be one conducive to
the goals of the mentoring project.  For example, an active graduate
summer research population provides the protege with a window on
future graduate life.

3. The professor should have demonstrated some skill in the delicate task
of mentoring undergraduates.

	Professors who already have funds to support undergraduates
(e.g., through an REU supplement to an NSF grant) may still apply
to be matched with a student. In such cases, CRA funding would
be applied toward those students' travel expenses.


Mentor applications
--------------------
	We are seeking information we need to make informed
decisions but are trying not to burden potential mentors with a lengthy
application.  Mentors may request more than one student, especially
if a single student would be isolated.  However, we expect to limit 
awards to two students per mentor.  Two or more mentors may submit
a single application to jointly supervise one or more students.

	All materials are due 1 February 1996.  Electronic submission 
is encouraged, to cra-mentor@cs.wisc.edu.  Non-electronic 
information should be sent to:

		Anne Condon
		Computer Sciences Department
		University of Wisconsin
		Madison, WI 53706, USA
		(608) 262-3158; fax: (608) 262-9777

1. Basic information
	Name
	US postal address, telephone, fax
	E-mail address
	Please include the names and addresses of the chair of your 
	department, your dean or anyone else whom you would like to
	be notified of your award and contributions to this project, 
	should you be chosen as a mentor.

2. Curriculum vitae
	Acceptable in any form, although the short form used for
	NSF grants is the most convenient. 

3. Research proposal(s)
	A one-page description of each undergraduate project suffices.
	A copy of material prepared for another grant proposal is acceptable
	here.  The target of this material is the selection committee, not 
	the students.

4. Special Requirements
	Please let us know of the basic skills required of the students,
	either in courses taken (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Data Structures,
	Computer Graphics, Logic Design etc.), or other proficiencies (e.g., 
	knows C and Unix). This information is crucial for arranging 
	appropriate matches.  Highly specific and advanced skills requirements
	reduce the likelihood of a match. If you have particular students 
	with whom you would like to work, please let us know.

5. Mentoring Skills
	Please include information on your mentoring skills and experience.
	To help us in matching you with a student, let us know
	of specific topics on which you can provide good advice (see for
	example the topics listed in the Mentoring Statement section of the 
	student application). Are you willing to participate in an electronic 
	discussion group involving other students and mentors?

6. Working Environment and Lodging Information
	Can you comment on the expected working environment for the student?
	Useful information includes opportunities for technical and social
	interaction with graduate students, as well as institutional
	commitment (office and computer facilities, access to institutional
	recreational facilities).  In order to estimate costs, we need to know
	lodging costs per student.  We hope students can obtain low lodging
	rates, for example, at the university dormitories.


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