2. Does it look better for an applicant to already have a mentor lined up if she/he were to be offered an interview?
Yes. Having a Research Mentor already in place will expedite the processing of your application since you will not have the added responsibility of interviewing with Research Mentors while interviewing for the Program.

3. If I have not decided on a specific mentor before the interview with FIRST, what should I put down on the FIRST Research Member line on the application form?
If you do not have a mentor in mind, place the name(s) of those faculty members you are interested in contacting on the appropriate line of the Application Form. The Program Coordinator will assist you in contacting these potential mentors and setting up interviews with them during your visit to Emory. Additionally, upon a review of your research interests outlined in your application, the Program’s Director and Co-director often make suggestions of other faculty for you to meet with not only as a potential mentor for you, but as a potential collaborator, thereby broadening your scientific circle here at Emory University.

4. Do I need to prepare a seminar if called for an interview with the FIRST program?
No. You only need to prepare a seminar if requested to do so by your prospective Research Mentor.

5. When do we receive our annual increase?
Annual increases are given on the anniversary date of when you began the program. So if you began the program on September 1st, your increase will be given on September 1st of the next year. If you began the program on January 1st, your increase would occur the next January.

6. What is the best way to handle travel expenses?
You may apply for a Travel Card (Mastercard) through Emory University Purchasing. Ultimately you are responsible for the bill, however, upon returning from your conference, bring all your receipts to the Physiology office and fill out a Travel Reimbursement form. This way your reimbursement to pay your travel expenses should be already in your account by the time the bill arrives.

7. How do we purchase items with our institutional allotment?
All items purchased with your $3,500 institutional allotment should be ordered through the Program Administrator or her assistant - particularly computers or other large ticket items. Smaller items, such as software or books, may be purchased individually, however, please check with the finance personnel to make sure you still have funds available and also to see it the item you want to purchase is an approved expense.

8. What is the deadline to spend the institutional allotment?
July 31st of the each calendar year is the deadline for ordering equipment and supplies with your institutional allotment. Any unspent money will not carry forward to the next year and ultimately will be lost.

9. Who can I contact to find out how much money I have left in my account?
Dorothy Goodson and Carletta Montgomery are the Program’s finance personnel. Either can be contacted to find out exactly how much money is left in your account.

10. How often does the entire program meet?
The entire group of fellows and administrators come together for lunch once quarterly to discuss successes, problems or concerns, and upcoming events.

11. How many conferences can I attend?
Fellows are given $1000 to spend for travel. This will generally cover one or possibly two scientific meetings depending on the location.