The NMDC is launching the NMDC Ambassador program to provide training and support for early career researchers who are motivated to engage with their respective research communities to lower barriers to adoption of metadata standards.
Application deadline: May 21, 2021, 11:59PM PT
Eligibility
✔Affiliated with a US institution
Including US-affiliated researchers who are currently working or studying abroad
✔Early career researcher
Graduate student or Researcher within 10 years after receiving a Ph.D.
✔Works with microbiome data from sample environment(s) represented by the Genome Standards Consortium (GSC) Minimum Information about any (x)
Sequence (MIxS) standard
✔Works with at least one NMDC-relevant data type
Amplicon, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metaproteomics, or metabolomics
✔Affiliated with a US Institution
Including US-affiliated researchers who are currently working or studying abroad
What will Ambassadors do?
During the course of the 1-year commitment, each Ambassador is expected, at minimum, to:
| Ambassador activity | Details |
| Contribute to metadata training materials | Update the NMDC template training materials to reflect one sample environment relevant to their community |
| Engage with their research community | With support from the NMDC, host one 4-hour workshop to gather feedback to improve sample metadata standards training |
| Spread the NMDC mission | Partner with the NMDC to present at one conference session, webinar, panel, or other event of their choice |
| Share their perspectives | Share updates on two NMDC-relevant activities on a NMDC online platform (social media, website, newsletter) |
| Learn about metadata standards | Attend all NMDC training sessions (see more details under Program Timeline below) |
The estimated time commitment for each Ambassador is, on average, 2-3 hours per month (includes trainings, cohort events, and preparing for and hosting two Ambassador events). Ambassadors should budget time for planning and preparation (specifically, for the metadata standards workshop) during months with fewer activities. The total time commitment for each Ambassador will vary based on factors, such as the target number of attendees or format of the events (virtual or in-person), which is at the discretion of the Ambassador.
