Skip to main content

Membership Criteria

Eligibility Criteria for Full Membership: 1) Faculty at NC State, ECU, or NCCU; 2) Contributed to peer-reviewed EHS literature within the past year; and 3) Has extramural support or has applied for extramural support (PI, Co-PI, Co-I) within the past year or provided scientific or administrative expertise to the CHHE (i.e., core navigator/RIG leader). Early career investigators (ECIs) planning to conduct EHS research are eligible to apply for Full Membership provided they have a track record of authoring peer-reviewed publications in their respective fields. It is expected that such individuals will meet the eligibility requirements listed above within 3 years of receiving CHHE Membership. As shown in Fig 5, CHHE has a significant number of ECIs that are Full Members.

Eligibility Criteria for Associate Membership: Faculty at NC State, ECU, or NCCU, or professional status at an organization in the Research Triangle area (e.g., NC DHHS, NC DEQ) with demonstrated strong interest in EHS.

Eligibility Criteria for Affiliate Membership: Post-doctoral fellows, research associate, or research scholar at NC State, ECU, or NCCU who has a significant interest in EHS, and whose research area has EHS relevance.

CHHE’s Expectations of Full Members: 1) Participate in CHHE seminars, mini-retreats, research interest groups, symposia, and surveys; 2) Contribute scientific or administrative expertise to the CHHE mission; 3) Maintain an active EHS research program; and 4) Participate as Reviewer in Pilot Project Program and CEC Community Grant Program.

Membership Approval Process: Prospective CHHE members must demonstrate a commitment to CHHE goals and will be expected to participate in CHHE events. Member candidates will provide a CV or NIH Biosketch, as well as a letter documenting their interest in membership to the Center Director. The Director and IAC discuss and vote on all applications for membership within one month of submission. A simple majority vote in favor of membership is required to accept the applicant for membership. Applicants accepted for membership receive an email from the Center Director welcoming them to CHHE and indicating their membership status. Applicants receiving unfavorable votes receive an email from the Center Director with reasons for the vote. The applicant is provided an opportunity to provide a rebuttal that is then considered. A second unfavorable vote requires the member candidate to wait one year before re-applying with the expectation that during that year, they will demonstrate increased activities consistent with Center membership.

Reclassification and Reappointment: The Director and IAC annually review members’ research, funding, and Center involvement and may re-classify membership status according to annual activity. Members may request a review and adjustment of their membership status. Near the end of each three-year membership term, each Member is evaluated by the Director and IAC for renewal of membership for another three-year term. Members provide an activity report describing their participation in Center activities, use of Core Facilities, funding, and citation of the Center grant in research publications that utilize Center resources. The evaluation process is:

  1. The Director and Deputy Director will make a preliminary assessment of each member’s activities and suitability for continued membership in the Center based upon the activity report of the member;
  2. A member obviously meeting the stated expectations of membership will be reappointed; and
  3. A member who is not obviously meeting requirements for continued membership will be brought to the IAC for full consideration. A simple majority will be required for continued membership. Members receiving an unfavorable vote will be notified with reasons why and be provided an opportunity to submit a rebuttal. A second unfavorable vote by the IAC will be required to remove an individual from Center membership. If the individual’s situation changes, they can reapply for membership in the future.