Training Program Welcome to the PRC Trainee Resources page—your hub for expectations, forms, funding information, and key milestones during your time at the Population Research Center at UT Austin. For questions or guidance, contact: Dr. Aprile Benner, Postdoctoral Training Director: abenner@prc.utexas.edu Dr. Abigail Weitzman, Predoctoral Training Director: weitzman@prc.utexas.edu Sam Soltis, PRC Training Coordinator: samantha.soltis@prc.utexas.edu General admin questions: service@prc.utexas.edu Individual Development Plans Stipends, Tuition Waivers & Health Insurance Required Online Training Modules Cite the PRC P2C PRC Funding Opportunities for Trainees Training Resource Repository FAQ What courses am I required to take as a PRC trainee? Training Seminar in Demography (SOC 389K), General Approaches to the Study of Population (SOC 389K), and Basic Demographic Methods and Materials (SOC 391L) When should I take the required coures? You’re expected to take General Approaches and Basic Demographic Methods within your first two years. Training Seminars are typically taken in your second or third years. Am I expected to present at a conference? Yes. All trainees are encouraged to submit to and present at the Population Association of America (PAA) conference. NICHD-funded fellows are expected to submit each year. Presenting at TEXPOP will also satisfy this requirement. Is funding available for conference travel? Yes. Trainees who present at PAA are eligible for travel support. NICHD fellows receive a $500 travel stipend as part of their award. How do I use my award funding? If you have any award funds to be used during your traineeship, email service@prc.utexas.edu to let us know what funds you would like to use and what you will be using the funds for. We will then let you know the best option to proceed. What happens if I don’t meet the program requirements? Trainees who fail to complete the requirements may be removed from the PRC Training Program and will not receive their stackable certificate upon graduation. Who should I contact if I have questions about my status or requirements? Contact the Predoctoral Training Director (Abigail Weitzman), the Postdoctoral Training Director (Aprile Benner), or the PRCs Training Coordinator (Sam Soltis). All general administration questions can be sent to service@prc.utexas.edu I’m about to graduate- How do I receive my stackable certificate? An email will be sent out by the PRC’s Training Coordinator each semester to all trainees confirming who will be graduating at the end of the semester. The Training Coordinator will then ensure all of the requirements were made and a certificate will be requested from the graduate school on your behalf. What additional requirements do T32 predoctoral fellows have? Complete all PRC coursework requirements Take both Training Seminar I (Fall) and Training Seminar II (Spring) Submit a 5-page research prospectus by August for their training year Present research at PAA annually Complete a 10-hour/week research apprenticeship Mentor undergraduate REU students (if program is active) Complete 8+ hours/year of Responsible Conduct of Research training What is the prospectus and when is it due? The prospectus is a 5-page proposal for a first-authored paper to be completed during the fellowship year. It must include research questions, data, methods, timeline, and publication plans, and is due by late August. What are the main requirements for T32 postdocs? Spend 50% time on a PRC project and 50% on independent research Attend the PRC Friday Seminar Series Present at least one Friday Seminar Participate in Topical Working Groups Complete Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training Join professional development meetings organized by the Postdoc Director Optional: join the Summer Proposal Writing Boot Camp What ethics training is required for postdocs? A full-day Responsible Conduct of Research workshop (provided by UT once every 2 years) Ethics-related sessions of Training Seminar I Ongoing ethics training via their research projects and mentors What if I receive another fellowship or RA/TA appointment? Inform the Training Director. T32 fellowships can’t be held concurrently with some other awards-coordination is needed to avoid conflict. What happens during the annual review? The Training Directors conduct annual reviews of all trainees. You may be asked to submit a brief progress report (especially if NICHD-funded). Continued support depends on participation and prouctivity. Where can I find more information or help? Start with:– Your assigned faculty mentor– Graduate or Postdoc Training Director– PRC staff (for admin, travel, or computing)– Other trainees (for informal advice)
