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Submitting a Successful NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Application

‘Developing the Personal Statement’ Claudine M. Riccillo

Associate Director, ORSP

Dr. Ann Q. Gates

Associate Vice President for Research

August 9, 2011 Proposal Development Team , Office of Research & Sponsored Projects (ORSP) Computing Alliance for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (CAHSI)

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Agenda

 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) o Benefits of the NSF GRFP o Quick view of NSF GRFP application requirements o Essay sections of the application  Personal statement essay o Developing the personal statement essay o NSF Review Criteria o Writing the personal statement essay  Other fellowship opportunities  Resources

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Benefits of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

o A yearly stipend of $30,000 for 3 years for research-

based graduate work

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Source of funding that does not have to be repaid

o Institutional allowance that covers tuition & fees o

International research opportunities

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Cyberinfrastructure resources including TeraGrid supercomputer access Application deadline: November 2011 FY 2012 guidelines and eligibility guidelines are not yet posted

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Essay Sections of the Applica

tion

  

Personal Statement Previous Research Experience Proposed Plan of Research

Some Tips:  Integrate the three essays into a singular theme – link the content  Address review criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts in each essay  Write multiple drafts – allow for review & re-writing

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Quick View of NSF GRFP Application Requirements

1. NSF Fastlane registration on GRFP webpage https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/Login.do

2. Official academic transcripts 3. Letters of reference (3 faculty recommendations) 4. Application components on NSF Fastlane application module

  

Personal profile Education and work experience Planned graduate program 6. Essay Components on NSF Fastlane application module



Personal statement (2 pages)

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Previous research experience (2 pages)



Proposed plan of research (includes references -2 pages)

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Personal Statement Essay

• Consider • What makes you unique • Why you are interested in research and graduate studies • Differentiate yourself from other applicants • Leadership and teamwork experience • Individual strengths • Describe your career plan and how graduate school relates to that career plan

Who you are, what has influenced your career path, what your professional interests are, and how your plans integrate with your research

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ACTIVITY: Developing the Personal Statement

Split into groups of 3

Each member read a different personal statement essay sample that has been provided. Time: 10 minutes

Within your group answer these questions

 what personal, professional or educational experiences in this sample made this a successful application?

 how did the writer sell the “personal story”?

 did the writer discuss academic achievements?

 how did the writer describe their leadership skills?

 what personal contributions to the community, school or society did the writer convey?

Time: 10 minutes

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Report out Developing the Personal Statement

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NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Application Advice From a Successful Applicant*

“No matter what your experiences / examples are, don't downplay them. Don't exaggerate, but make them sound exciting and important. Show the impact they had on your life, as well as how these experiences will help you make an impact in the world. Specifically they want to see that you will become a knowledge expert, a leader who can contribute to research AND education. They ask for experiences that contributed to you wanting to go to graduate school, your competencies, and your career aspirations. It sounds like a lot, but you need to find a way to organize it, you need a unifying theme that runs throughout your essay, and then use your examples from the points above.” Brown University March 11, 2010 biomed.brown.edu/grad-postdoc/.../NSF%20Fellowship%20Advice.pdf

ACTIVITY: Developing the Personal Statement

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Following the directions on Handout # 1, spend a few minutes thinking about your response to each question and then complete the exercise

Time: 10 minutes

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NSF Review Criteria: Intellectual Merit

• How important is the proposed activity to advancing knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields?

• • • How well qualified is the proposer to conduct the project? To what extent does the proposed activity suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?

How well conceived and organized is the proposed activity?

• Is there sufficient access to resources?

For example, panelists may consider the following with respect to the Intellectual Merit Criterion:*

o o o o

the strength of the academic record the proposed plan of research the description of previous research experience or publication /presentations, references the appropriateness of the choice of institution relative to the proposed plan for graduate education and research

*NSF 10-604 Solicitation

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NSF Review Criteria: Broader Impacts

• How well does the activity advance discovery and understanding?

• How well does the proposed activity broaden the participation of underrepresented groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity, disability, geographic, etc.)?

• Will the results be disseminated broadly to enhance scientific and technological understanding?

• What may be the benefits of the proposed activity to society?

For example, panelists may consider the following with respect to the Broader Impacts Criterion: *

o o o

the personal, professional, and educational experiences the future plans and prior accomplishments in the integration of research and education the potential to reach diverse audiences and benefit society

*NSF 10-604 Solicitation

ACTIVITY

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Developing the Personal Statement:

Using the items listed below, information you provided in the handouts, the sample personal statements and your discussions, write down in a bullet format any personal, professional, and educational experiences you have had.

              Any volunteer experiences Favorite classes or areas of study Science fair participation Poster presentations Publications or conference presentations Any awards earned Internships acquired Research experiences Role models in your life Jobs or any working experiences Time: 10 minutes Summer opportunities attended List of companies or corporations that have hired you Memberships, associations, societies you are involved with Community or church activities

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Report Out Developing the Personal Statement

Writing the Personal Statement Essay First Draft

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Take-Home Assignment

Using all of the resources given, complete the exercises in Handouts 2 & 3

Electronic copies of the handouts and presentation are available at:

http://cahsi.cs.utep.edu/Initiatives/fellownet.aspx

Send your completed assignment to the following website

https://apps.lotuslive.com/forms/public/public?id=3E2941E0BEEE11E081B135E10A050302

We will provide you with personal feedback and guidance on your draft essay and continue to assist you with other sections of the NSF GRFP application

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Other Fellowship Opportunities

Campus Resources

Institutionally Awarded Fellowships

 Fellowships offered through funded programs on campus o Search online for programs in your discipline e.g. - NSF S-STEM, NASA Center for Space Exploration Technology Research, NIH MARC, GK-12 Grad Fellows, HS-STEM …  Fellowships offered through departments and/or college o Check department websites  University-Wide Fellowships o Contact Graduate School o

Nationally Awarded Fellowships

National Resources Awarded directly from the granting agencies/foundations to graduate students o Graduate students may choose to use their fellowships at any university to which they have been admitted

Agencies

(NSF, NEH, NIH, US Dept. of Education, NASA, DHS, Ford, DoD, NASA, EPA, AAUW, Hispanic Scholarship Fund …)

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Resources

UTEP Graduate School website

Graduate Fellowship Opportunities

http://academics.utep.edu/Default.aspx?tabid=4 5211 University Library COS funding database website

Search Wizard http://0-fundingopps.cos.com.lib.utep.edu/

Other university graduate school websites

Links to sites that provide comprehensive lists of graduate fellowships

http://opd.tamu.edu/funding-opportunities/funding opportunities-by-category/graduate-funding opportunities Presentation can also be found at the Graduate School website: www.utep.edu/graduate under Upcoming

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