ORBIT Institute FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

Please see the FAQs below, or you may contact the ORBIT Institute team directly at orbit.institute@med.fsu.edu or by calling 850-644-2334. 

What is the focus of the ORBIT Institute?

The goals of the ORBIT Institute are:

  • To increase the skills of Fellows in a phased approach to behavioral intervention development, including associated questions, innovative methods, and study designs for early-phase translation of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (BSSR) to improve health.
  • To conduct an ongoing evaluation of the success of the skills development course based upon three basic metrics:
    • Perceived value
    • The reach of the course based upon website hits, number of applications, and train the trainer activities
    • The impact of the course on the career trajectories of the Fellows (publications, grants)
  • To conduct ongoing curriculum development and refinement, as well as dissemination via technology, based upon results of quantitate and qualitative evaluations and new methodologies emerging over the grant period.

Who are the ORBIT Faculty?

The faculty for the ORBIT Institute include senior researchers with expertise in the development of behavioral interventions for chronic disease and include:

  • Sylvie Naar (core faculty)
  • Leonard Epstein 
  • Lynda Powell (core faculty)
  • Kenneth Freedland (core faculty)
  • Bonnie Spring
  • Jasmin Tiro
  • Susan Czajkowski (core faculty)

You may learn more about the ORBIT team here. 

What do I need for the application process?

You will need to complete the application online HERE by December 7, 2023 (extended deadline as of 11/29/2023). You will also need to upload the following attachments to your application:

  1. Current Curriculum Vita - PDF Format (required)
  2. A personal statement (2,000 words max) (required) - please include in your statement:
    • Your current and future intervention research interests
    • Where your current research lies in reference to the ORBIT model
    • How this program may facilitate and improve your career goals
  3. Current human subjects training certificate (required)
  4. Any letters of reference you wish to provide (not required)

How will I know my application to join the ORBIT Institute was approved?

You will be contacted via email from orbit.institute@med.fsu.edu to inform you of the decision of your application. We anticipate notifying individuals no later than February 1, 2024, as there will be some pre-institute activities that will begin after onboarding. 

How long will I be in the ORBIT Institute once accepted?

The 2024 ORBIT Institute cohort will meet at the in-person workshop in Tallahassee, FL , on May 7-10, 2024. Then, you will be required to attend 5 bi-weekly webinars and participate in webinar activities, followed by a one-on-one consultation with an ORBIT core faculty member. You will have ongoing access to the ORBIT Institute resources as an ORBIT scholar. 

Does the ORBIT Institute provide salaries or stipends for fellows?

No, the ORBIT Institute does not provide salaries or stipends for trainees.

How many cohorts are being accepted?

The ORBIT Institute will have a total of 4 cohorts over the course of 4 years. Each year, up to 25 fellows will be admitted into the ORBIT Institute. 

If I am not accepted into the cohort I apply for, may I reapply in future years?

Yes.

What are the eligibility criteria?

Any post-graduate (doctoral or terminal degree earned) investigator in the medical, behavioral, social, and statistical/methodology sciences who has demonstrated pre-existing interest in contributing to investigator teams in developing and testing behavioral treatments is eligible to apply to this course. 

I am not a U.S. Citizen; can I still apply?

Yes, if you meet the above eligibility criteria.

My institution is outside the U.S., can I still apply?

Yes, you may still apply, however, there may be limitations on the ORBIT Institute's ability to pay for international travel on your behalf. If you are accepted, the ORBIT Institute team will work with you directly. 

Are there any costs or tuition fees?

There are no costs or tuition fees associated with the Institute. You may incur some travel costs as part of the in-person short course, but they will be minimal. Transport, hotel, and some meals will be provided by the ORBIT Institute. 

I do not have prior grant writing experience. Am I still eligible to apply?

Yes.

Is the in-person workshop mandatory?

Yes. Accommodations can be provided upon request for people with disabilities, provided the request is made at least seven days prior to the event. Please contact the ORBIT Institute team at orbit.institute@med.fsu.edu or by calling 850-644-2334. The 2024 in-person agenda will be posted soon; if you would like to see the 2023 in-person workshop agenda, please click here.

Where and when will the ORBIT Institute's in-person workshop be?

For Cohort 2 (2024), the in-person workshop will be held at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida beginning in the evening of Tuesday, May 7th, and ending on Friday, May 10th, 2024. The in-person workshop agenda will be posted soon.

Will the ORBIT Institute pay for my travel to the in-person workshop?

Yes, the ORBIT Institute will cover travel expenses for national flights. International flights may be covered, at least partially, depending on available funds that year. If your application is accepted, you will be contacted by the ORBIT team to determine your travel preferences and begin the process to have travel arranged on your behalf through Florida State University. 

How will I access the virtual webinars?

The ORBIT Institute's virtual bi-weekly webinars will be accessed through a web-based FSU learning management system, called Canvas. Upon acceptance into the Institute, you will be contacted by the ORBIT team to set up an FSU Canvas guest account as part of your onboarding to the ORBIT Institute.