How to Apply as an Affiliate

A letter of support from a UMN supervisor (department chair, dean or associate dean, center or institute director or similar) indicating support for your participation as an IonE Affiliate. If a supervisor is unavailable, contact [email protected] before the deadline.

A completed application form addressing the following questions:

1. Provide a brief bio of who you are, including the IonE Impact Goal topical domains that align most closely with your work, if applicable.
2. Highlight 3-5 relevant professional experiences, products, presentations or publications that demonstrate your alignment with IonE’s mission and the value you would bring to the Affiliates network.
3. Based on your understanding of the IonE Affiliate network, what types of activities or engagement are you most interested in, and why?
4. Describe how affiliation with IonE would fit into your professional and personal trajectory.
    

Each application is scored by the IonE Faculty Leadership Council against the four criteria below, each on a scale of 1–3.

1. Mission Alignment – assesses how clearly the applicant’s work connects to IonE’s impact goal areas.

   An exemplary application demonstrates how the applicant’s work aligns closely and clearly with one or more IonE impact goal areas, and the bio makes a compelling, well-articulated case for that fit. 

2. Demonstrated Impact – assesses the strength of the applicant’s track record and the value they would bring to the Affiliates network. 

   An exemplary application provides specific, relevant experiences, products or publications that clearly demonstrate alignment with IonE’s mission and offers a strong value proposition for the network. 

3. Engagement Fit – assesses the applicant’s understanding of the Affiliate network and how they would intentionally engage with it. 

   An exemplary application shows a clear, accurate understanding of the Affiliate network and identifies specific activities or forms of engagement that fit both their interests and IonE’s offerings. 

4. Professional Trajectory – assesses how thoughtfully the applicant connects IonE affiliation to their broader career and professional path.

   An exemplary application provides a clear, thoughtful narrative connecting IonE affiliation to the applicant's professional trajectory and longer-term goals.
    

All complete applications submitted before the deadline are reviewed by the IonE Faculty Leadership Council, which puts forward recommendations to the IonE Executive Director, who makes the final decision.
 

Formal affiliation – as a Fellow or Associate – is currently open to University of Minnesota faculty and staff. Applicants are typically in full-time continuing or annually renewable roles.

Not based at the University but interested in getting involved? Explore pathways to partnership and collaboration.