CIIP FAQ

The Coastal Institute IGERT Project Frequently Asked Questions

Revised 5 October 2008

What does CIIP stand for? The Coastal Institute IGERT (Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship) Project. IGERT is a very competitive program at the National Science Foundation.  The URI Coastal Institute was awarded a $3M, 5-year IGERT grant in 2005.

So what is the CIIP thing all about? The CIIP is an NSF-funded program to develop and deliver a new way of educating Ph.D. students in coastal ecosystem management.  The proposal to NSF is available on the CIIP web site under on-line resources. Our goal is to make our CIIP trainees effective leaders in multidisciplinary problem-solving in coastal ecosystems.  Much of the CIIP program is devoted to teaching trainees how to work with teams of people with different disciplines and values.  However, there is a strong emphasis on peer-to-peer learning in which trainees are empowered to direct research areas, learning modules, etc. This is not a passive learning environment; trainees participate in the development, methodology and mapping of learning outcomes.

How can I apply? The application process is described on the CIIP web site.  Before being accepted into the CIIP, an applicant must be admitted into one of many Ph.D. programs in coastal ecosystem science and management at URI. CIIP trainees have been students in Oceanography, Marine Affairs, Natural Resources Science, Environmental Economics, and Fisheries and Aquaculture. If you are interested in research that links coastal science and management, but from a perspective that is different from traditional disciplines, do not hesitate to contact us to inquire about the CIIP.

How competitive is the CIIP? Gaining admission to a University Ph.D. program – the first step – may be very competitive and the receipt of a CIIP traineeship is extremely selective; however, once you are a bona fide CIIP Trainee, you will find that the emphasis is on your work within that of a larger team. Faculty bring knowledge and expertise to the academic culture of CIIP but your own abilities are held as central to the overall success of the project.

What are the terms of a CIIP Traineeship? CIIP Trainees are supported for two years early in their Ph.D. program, beginning before comprehensive exams have been taken. Depending on the program, some trainees may take their comprehensive exams during the traineeship.  The stipend is $30,000 per year (academic and summer) and tuition and some fees (up to 15 credits, see below) are covered by the grant.  In the summer, only CIIP-required courses are covered.

Does the CIIP pay fees, parking, and student health insurance costs too? The NSF grant covers the registration fee and student service fee. Students must pay their own parking fee, student health services fee, and the accident-sickness insurance fee (although this can be waived in some circumstances). The current costs for these fees are posted on the URI enrollment services web page and the parking services web page. For a recent email thread on this topic, click here.

Is the stipend paid evenly over the year? No. Students are paid the standard URI grad stipend for the academic year (Sept to May).  This is about $13,000.  The remainder of the CIIP stipend is paid over the summer.

How much time does being a CIIP Trainee take? We have structured the program to require approximately 20 hours per week of trainee time.  Some weeks will be more and others less, but 20 hours is a long-term average.  We have CIIP activities over winter intersession and summer session.  The CIIP Curriculum button on the web site summarizes the activities over the 2-year program.

Can I take non-CIIP classes while supported by the project? Yes. You may take up to 15 credits of class in the Fall and Spring semesters.  (Please note that EVS 612 counts for 3 credits of the Spring load in your first year and 1-2 credits in your second year. The amount will be based on your involvement in the course planning.) CIIP cannot pay for overload credits (beyond 15).  You and your major professor will decide what classes you need to take over and above the classes required by the CIIP.  The CIIP requires that you take a summer field class in your first year and an internship in your second summer.  CIIP will cover tuition expense for these summer classes, but not for any other summer classes you wish to take. Again, CIIP-required classes may be found at CIIP Curriculum

So who is my “boss,” CIIP or my major professor? The traditional student-professor relationship is a time-proven way to teach you the science of your discipline.  Your major professor will work with you in every aspect of your Ph.D. studies.  Your major prof is also an important part of the CIIP team and shares our values and goals.  Your advisor will mentor you in the technical and scholarly dimensions of your field.  CIIP will mentor you in leadership, communication, negotiation, and being effective in a team setting.  As a CIIP student you have three commitments to fulfill: 1) participating in all CIIP activities, 2) working with your major professor in the ways (s)he requires, and 3) satisfying the requirements for your classes. All three are equally important.

How much of what I learn will be theory and how much application? Will I get to apply what I  learn? The entire focus of the CIIP is to create a seamless experience from theory to application. To that end, you will have numerous field experiences, e.g., some pure science data collection and analysis, some in the creation of public policy and all providing the opportunity to both network and observe the translation of natural and social science to real world application. Much of the CIIP curriculum involves working with front-line agencies on real problems in coastal ecosystem management.

Will I have an opportunity to get frequent feedback on my work? Absolutely! In fact, there will be days when you might wish for less! There are numerous faculty from a myriad of disciplines involved in this project which means differing opinions, disciplinary expertise, etc.  In all cases, you will be expected to navigate your way through those perspectives -- with guidance to be sure -- in order to best determine your own course. This multiplicity of perspectives is the core of excitement in the intellectual realm of the CIIP.

Once my 2-year CIIP funding is over, am I out of the program? Absolutely not!  CIIP Alumni are an important part of our community.  You will be invited to attend a number of our annual events (lectures, receptions with visiting scientists, the Spring Colloquium) and NSF has provided us funding to offer small grants-in-aid of research to CIIP alumni. We expect CIIP Alumni will also find additional ways to be engaged and to enrich the experience for those who follow.

How much is my tuition when I am a CIIP alum? In their first two years, all CIIP Trainees fall under regional tuition and pay three fees: parking, health service and health insurance, the last of which may be waived if you have evidence of alternative coverage. When you enter the remaining years of your doctoral studies, you are still a member of CIIP in that you are called upon to assist with recruiting, mentoring and other tasks, and you are also eligible for CIIP grants-in-aid. At this point, you revert to in-state tuition if eligible but remain at regional tuition if your residency status is out of state. Your fees revert to those of any graduate student.

What reporting do I have to do? NSF will ask you to complete a web-based assessment tool they administer each Spring.  Every activity in the CIIP has explicit learning goals and outcomes and we will review these with you in class. Most of our classes and activities will require that you complete an on-line assessment. When you have competed the 2-year CIIP curriculum, we will have you participate in an exit interview so we can learn what parts of our program were most productive for you.

If I have a question about the CIIP, whom do I contact? Main contact information is on the web site.  The CIIP student rep is a good place to start; (s)he knows the administrative players.  Pete August, Judith Swift, or Q Kellogg can answer your academic questions.  Deb Coty handles administrative matters such as tuition payment, stipends, etc.

Can CIIP Trainees apply for grants to bring in additional speakers and other things to enhance the CIIP curriculum? We encourage Trainees to seek outside funding to support CIIP activities.  Trainees must coordinate with the CIIP Council before contacting grant sponsors.  The Council will provide editorial review and ensure that requests follow URI grant and contract proposal policies. 

What are the communication technologies and venues used by the CIIP? We use a number of technologies to facilitate communication within the CIIP community.  The LISTSERV is used to post notices to the CIIP community.  The LISTSERV is managed by Judith Swift and Q Kellogg and is comprised of everyone in the CIIP enterprise (past and present students, faculty, major professors, etc.).  The CIIP Blog is used to post comments and reflection on speakers, readings, and CIIP activities.  The blog is an electronic forum where thoughtful discussions occur outside of class hours.  The web site is used to post schedules, CIIP information, etc.  CIIP trainees have access to the web site and manage certain parts of it.  We have used WebCT technology to manage information and document flow for EVS610. The CIIP owns a pair of PolyCom teleconference systems to facilitate electronic meetings between main campus and Bay campus, as well as meeting with colleagues around the world.

What if I have to travel for IGERT Project business? Start your travel planning with a visit to Deb Coty. She will tell you how to do it. Some parts of your travel planning have to be done by the official URI travel agent. Checking in to hotels can be especially tricky. You also have a few forms to fill out -- TAR's and TEV's. Deb will teach you the ins and outs. A summary document on travel procedures can be found here.