SPS Issues Calls for 2014 Summer School Proposals

The IEEE Signal Processing Society welcomes proposals from prospective organizers of 2014 summer schools under the S3P (Seasonal Schools in Signal Processing) Program.

S3P seasonal schools are typically either summer schools or winter schools, and are geared towards providing graduate students, early stage researchers, and practitioners with background on selected topics in signal processing.

The primary objective for creating a seasonal school program is membership development for students with interests in signal processing. Students are the future of our Society. It is essential that we provide special membership development opportunities for this important group of members. For more details about the S3P Program, and for links to recent events that have been organized under this program, please visit: http://www.signalprocessingsociety.org/community/seasonal-schools/

The S3P Program is now soliciting proposals for 2014 summer schools. For best consideration, proposers should submit their proposal white papers, following the guidelines summarized below, by December 15, 2013. 2014 summer schools should be planned in the period April 1st 2014 to September 30th 2014. White papers should be submitted in PDF format by email to s3p-admin@ieee.org. Any questions should be directed to the same address.

Proposal Preparation Guidelines

White papers should be 3-4 pages in length in 11 or 12 point font, and address the following points:

1. The proposed title, a description of the technical theme for the seasonal school, and an outline of the topics to be covered.
2. A specification up front about whether regular sponsorship (financial and technical) or just technical co-sponsorship by SPS is proposed. Under technical co-sponsorship, organizers are free to use the SPS logo in their website promotional materials, but no financial support is provided by SPS.
3. A listing of key organizers, and description of their qualifications.
4. A description of the proposed venue, including the facilities available to host the event.
5. A listing of proposed lecturers and their qualifications, including information about which lecturers are confirmed (pending approval of the proposal), and which are candidates who have yet to be confirmed.
6. A description of the proposed membership development contribution of the seasonal school. What will be the contribution of the seasonal school to the students who attend, and to the IEEE Signal Processing Society at large? What special activities or initiatives will the organizers develop as part of the event help enhance the impact?
7. A description of any travel grant program that will be included in the proposed seasonal school. The costs for providing these grants should be taken into account in the budget breakdown (see item 10).
8. Proposed dates. The suggested duration is five days (Monday through Friday of a given week).
9. A specification of the proposed registration fee structure.
10. Provide a budget breakdown that shows estimated revenues (from registrations and sponsorship contributions), as well as costs.
11. For technical sponsorship proposals no contribution will be provided, but a budget breakdown will have to be provided together with a mandatory commitment letter of the local IEEE SPS chapter to actively cooperate in the School.
12. Information about low-cost living arrangements available for students. What will be the cost to students for living arrangements? Is free dorm accommodation available for students? Approximately how many students can be accommodated under the available low cost or free housing arrangements?
13. Information about lunch arrangements. Will the event provide lunches (if so it needs to be in the budget) or will there be low cost lunch facilities available? The envisioned lunch facilities and their estimated cost to students should be described.

If a seasonal school white paper is approved, the organizers will be encouraged to develop a full proposal for more comprehensive review by the Membership Board.