VKC Membership Criteria and Application Process

A Membership Committee reviews new applications for membership on an ongoing basis. This five-member committee is appointed by the Director and is representative of the Center's research areas. Its members are appointed to staggered 3-year terms to provide continuity. The Committee is advisory to the director, who makes all final decisions about membership.

Membership Categories

The two categories of faculty membership are Members and Investigators. Membership in both categories is based on relevance of a faculty member's research, clinical, training, or service interests to the mission of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and to EKS NICHD priorities for IDD research. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows may be appointed as Affiliates by presenting posters at annual Science Day.

• Member

  A Member is a Vanderbilt faculty member (a) who has extramural or intramural funding for a research program that is relevant to the Center's mission, or (b) who engages in research, clinical, training, or service activities relevant to the Center's mission. A Member who conducts research has access to research support services supported by the Center's university budget and access to research support such as funds for pilot research. In return, Members are expected to commit time to Center activities in a variety of ways of the Member's choosing.

  Criteria for appointment as a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member include:

  • A Vanderbilt faculty appointment
  • An active program of research relevant to the Center's mission supported by active extramural or intramural funding or pending applications; and/or research, clinical, training, or service activities relevant to the Center's mission.
  • Publication as first author or senior author in peer-reviewed journals, and/or evidence of relevant clinical activities
  • Evidence of extramural activities; for example:
    • Reviewer for journal articles
    • Membership in and/or service with local, state, or national associations
    • Invited addresses, colloquia, workshops
    • Presentations at local, state, or national meetings or conferences
    • Willingness to commit time to Kennedy Center activities, e.g., program development, committee service, or core activity support.

• Investigator

  An Investigator is a Vanderbilt faculty member who meets the Member criteria (see above) and has extramural funding for a research program that is relevant to EKS NICHD priorities for IDD research and is approved for access to IDDRC cores. Investigators are expected to commit time to Center activities in a variety of ways of the Investigator's choosing.

  All VKC appointments are made initially as Members. Each year when the Center submits its annual progress report to NICHD, or every 5 years when we submit a renewal application, the active research grants of all members are reviewed by the Center director. Those whose grants are most relevant to NICHD’s research priorities for IDD research are included as Investigators in the IDDRC.

Application Process for Members

Application for Member may be submitted at any time during the year. To apply:

• Complete a brief membership application form
• Submit a current vita
• Ask two Center investigators or members to provide brief letters of support.

Materials are reviewed and coordinated by Courtney Taylor. When application materials are complete, Taylor works with the Membership Committee for review and recommendation to the Director, typically within 2-3 weeks of receipt of materials. The Director's decision will be communicated to the applicant.

Faculty from Other Institutions of Higher Education

A faculty member from an institution of higher education other than Vanderbilt University must have a Vanderbilt adjunct faculty appointment or Visiting Faculty appointment to be considered for membership (a requirement of NICHD). All other membership criteria above apply.