Transcript NSF GRFP 2010 Advice for Applicants

NSF GRFP 2010
Applicant Workshop
21 August 2009
Genevieve K. Walden
Department of Biology, SFSU
National Science Foundation
Graduate Research Fellow 2009
SFSU Mathematics Dept.
Workshop
• Summary of advice
• Basic introduction to get started on application
• Resources to augment and support your efforts
• Point of view from 2009 applicant and Fellow.
• Good luck!
Why apply?
Practice.
Independence.
Applying to the National Science Foundation Graduate
Research Fellowship Program is demanding and rewarding.
Take deep breaths.
Advice and resources are readily available, some
contradictory. Use what works for you.
Ask questions!
Where to go
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Websites are updated, use most recent version!
When in doubt, call help center.
Ask your advisor.
NSF GRFP liaison at SFSU.
NSF FASTLANE.
NSF GRFP solicitation.
Graduate student cohort.
Online Resources - These are NSF sites.
NSF FASTLANE:
https://www.fastlane-beta.nsf.gov/grfp/GRFPLogout.do
NSF GRF Program page
http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?WT.z_pims_id=6201&ods_key=nsf096
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Transformative research
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2007/in130/in130.jsp
NSF unofficial program page - great place for announcements, links to Fellows in your
subfield
http://www.nsfgrfp.org/
Online Resources - These are external sites, and I cannot
vouch for content. Searching the web in your subfield may be helpful.
University of Missouri Graduate School website
- many great, great practice documents can be accessed here:
http://gradschool.missouri.edu/financial/assistantshipsfellowships/fellowships/external/
nsf-research-fellowship/
Ecology blog with multiple essays from Fellows:
http://rachelcsmith.com/NSF.html
Tomorrow’s Professor “How to win a fellowship”
http://ctl.stanford.edu/Tomprof/postings/730.html
Additional advice from a Fellow’s blog
http://www.stanford.edu/~pgbovine/fellowship-tips.htm
Deadlines
The NSF doesn’t joke about deadlines. Ever. Never ever.
Different Fields of Study have different due dates for every
year. Make sure you are looking at the relevant solicitation for
your year cycle.
Set up a schedule for yourself to write, revise and edit.
Submit early to FastLane.
Recommendations
Ask for recommendations early.
Please be kind in requesting recommendations – include your
CV, drafts of all essays, the solicitation for the NSF GRFP,
cover letter and clear instructions on how to access FastLane.
Recommendations are submitted online. You will be able to
send reminders and see when recommendations have been
submitted. Your advisor should be one of your letters of
recommendation.
Write a thank you letter.
Transcripts & Score Reports
Order transcripts now. Furloughs will affect processing of
transcripts this year. Order rush – it helps, even if it costs more
money. Go in person, go today. Be prepared with correct
addresses, payment and patience.
You don’t have to order GRE scores separately, NSF
automatically will request them if you fill in that part of your
application. You can also request a waiver to take the GRE in
November specifically for the NSF GRFP.
Essays
Confidence in your story. SFSU is not inexpensive. Master’s
Degrees from COSE are research based. Funding is
competitive. You worked hard to get here and you are working
hard now. Highlight these strengths.
Creative. Your research should be transformative, original and
appropriate.
Complete all requirements.
Cohesive. The essays should enhance and emphasize criteria.
Clarity. Use simple, clear language to communicate your
research in an organized and thoughtful manner.
How Do You Start Writing?
Brainstorm. Make lists. Find a structure and repeat. Ideas may
work in a different essay. Multiple drafts. Revisions. Ask for
edits and suggestions - first from your advisor.
Start writing now.
I began with past research and wrote out several projects what I did, what I learned, how it might fit into my current
work. For proposed research, I discussed a pilot project and
outlined goals and anticipated results. Edits helped for
readability. Then I revised and revised and revised. And began
asking questions within each criterion and essay prompt…
Intellectual Merit Criterion
Can you do what you are proposing?
Do you have the appropriate depth of experience and training
to take on this research?
Do you have a proposed remedy for any glaring omissions?
Do you have an advisor that is an expert in the field you are
choosing – is this a good match?
Is the institution you have chosen for study appropriate?
Do you have the resources – facilities, computing needs,
permits, access to field sites, collaborators, sister institutions –
that are required for this project to succeed?
Do you demonstrate leadership?
Broader Impact Criterion
Does your research benefit society?
How well do you combine research and education? NSF
GK12 in Mathematics at SFSU!
How do you plan to disseminate your research to a broad
audience?
Does your research broaden the participation of
underrepresented groups in STEM?
What impacts will your research have for the STEM
community?
Transformative Research
Challenges conventional wisdom
Leads to unexpected insights that enable new techniques or
methodologies
Redefines the boundaries of science, engineering or education
(copied from NSF website)
Eligibility Essay (optional)
Read directions carefully. This is not trivial.
Requirements have changed since last year when I applied.
Questions about eligibility? Prepare your statement and make
judicious use of available resources.
Personal Statement
Why are you interested in this project?
How did you get here? It is not accidental - Discuss your
purposeful journey with confidence and evidence.
Are you sincere?
What are your long term goals within this graduate program
and after?
How will the fellowship intersect with previous and proposed
research?
Proposed Research Plan
This is the most important project in the world.
Do you have a good research hypothesis/question?
Is this a clearly articulated research plan and timeline?
Can you accomplish what you are proposing?
Do you understand current research principles & techniques in
your field?
Why is this important? Why do you have to research this
project here and now?
Is this original research? Really? Our project is the first…
How does your research fit into the big picture?
Previous Research Experience
Your whole life has been training for proposed research
project.
Do you have experiences conducting research as part of a team
and independently? Distinguish between undergrad/grad.
Do you understand what you did – in terms of
hypothesis/question, goal, methods, conclusions?
Can you discuss importance of your previous work?
How did each project build upon the previous work – can you
show continuous and sustained passion for scientific inquiry?
Good luck, future Fellow!
Questions?
http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~gkwalden/