Q: Is there any sort of length limit on the personal statement?

A: Yes, the maximum length for personal statements is 1000 words.

Q: Is there any sort of length limit on the resume/CV?

A: Yes, we ask that you limit your resume/CV to three (3) letter-size pages. There are no restrictions or guidelines on formatting and fonts, but we do recommend that you draft your resume/CV so it highlights your qualifications for the IREE program.

Q: What should I do after submitting my reference (2) contact information?

A: Your references should send a letter of recommendation in PDF format to IREE email address. They will be appended to your application file. YOU should approach your reference contact as soon as possible and give them good amount of time to send in their recommendation letter by Feb 15. Your application can only be considered after recommendation letters has been submitted.

Q: Approximately how much are research laboratory fees? Is this beyond the "educational materials provided"?

A. Depending on your research site, fees may or may not apply. You should consult with your individual contact (self-placement) or IREE program administrator after you obtain your site designation (site-placement). The research laboratory fee is separate from the educational materials provided for the orientation session.

Q: What is the difference between "self-placement" and "site-placement"?

A: Applicants in the "self-placement" category will arrange, with possible assistance from their advisors or collaborators, research placements in China. For those without such placements or contacts, the IREE program will provide "site-placement" for 20 applicants at 4-5 research sites within Mainland China.

Q: What dates are we obligated to be in China (if not just orientation dates), if Shanghai is our preferred choice for orientation?

A: The orientation dates in Shanghai will be May 17th - 28th, 2010. Then you will travel to your designated research site (domestic flights within China). Typical research period is 10-12 weeks. You should return to the U.S. by late August.

Q: What dates are we obligated to be in West Lafayette, IN (if not just orientation dates), if the U.S. is our preferred choice orientation?

A: The orientation dates at Purdue University will be May 10th – 21st, 2010. Then you will travel to your designated research site (International flights to China). Typical research period is 10-12 weeks. You should return to the U.S. by late August.

Q: What exactly is "cyber-orientation"?

A: Cyber-orientation will provide a small cohort of IREE grantees with language and culture training in a more flexible, web-based format. Rather than traveling to Purdue University or Shanghai for a two-week orientation session, cyber-orientation participants will complete comparable training over a period of 2-3 weeks through a mix of synchronous (scheduled) and asynchronous (flexible) online activities. These activities may include online lectures and presentations, reflective writing assignments, participation in online discussion boards, group meetings via video conference, etc.

Q: Is the requested academic transcript an unofficial transcript?

A: Yes, we only require an unofficial transcript.

Q: How can I get a PDF copy of my academic transcript?

A: Many schools allow you to view, save, and print an unofficial transcript online. You can then save this transcript as a PDF file, and upload it as part of your application. If your school does not provide this option, you may need to request and pick up a copy of your transcript from the appropriate unit at your institution, then scan this document to PDF and submit it as part of your application.

Q: I am an ________ Engineering PhD student studying ________. Can you put me in touch with, or would you match me up with researchers doing similar work? Are there any Chinese researchers doing similar work?

A: Our suggestion is that you consult with your professors to see if they can place you with their contact(s) in China. That way, you will be under "self-placement" and the chance of you being accepted will increase and not limited by the sites that IREE provides. IREE intends to provide 4-5 sites that will each host 4-5 students. These sites are likely to be in university labs for very specific disciplines and/or R&D units within large corporations.

Q: How do you determine which participants go to which orientation track: Cyber/ China/ U.S.?

A: While we will try our best to work with your choice of orientation tracks, we will select 20 students to be orientated in USA, 20 in China and 10 online.

Q: My school is on the quarter system so the academic school year does not end until mid-June. How flexible are the starting dates?

A: You may still apply. Students under the quarter system should think about rearranging their final exam dates so that they can arrive in China on time to start their internships. While the IREE staff will try to put such students in the cyber-orientation group (which would allow you to arrive in China after June 1), some preferred placements may not be possible due to other programmatic factors that must be considered.

Q: I am an non-U.S citizen studying in the U.S, can I still apply?

A: Applicants must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing as degree-seeking undergraduate OR graduate students at a U.S. institution of higher education. They must also be able to express both a demonstrated interest in a field of engineering related research, and a desire to work in China. Finally, strong preference will be given to United States citizens or nationals, or permanent resident of the United States. In addition, women, underrepresented groups, and students from schools with limited research opportunities are particularly encouraged to apply.

Q: I am a senior graduating this May. Can I apply to IREE?

A: Since IREE's objective is to enhance and promote engineering research, you may still apply to IREE if you are pursuing a graduate degree in August 2010. We would require you to submit proof of admission. Please indicate this fact in your personal statement as well.

Q: What is the re-entry program? Is it mandatory?

A: Yes. It is MANDATORY for awardees to participate in the re-entry program. The IREE re-entry program is a "mini-conference" that will be held over a weekend in September 2010. As part of the IREE award, you will be reimbursed for travel, lodging and meal expenses for the re-entry program attendance. Exact dates and location will be determined in March 2010 and announced to the 50 IREE awardees. The re-entry program consists of cultural debriefing, poster session of your research project, network opportunities and building knowledge community of U.S-China Engineering researchers.