Transcript NSF Graduate Research Fellowship www.nsf

National Science Foundation
NSF Graduate Research
Fellowship Program
www.nsfgrfp.org
Graduate Research Fellowship Program Operations Center
GRFP Key Benefits
• 2000 Awards made annually
• Three years of support:
• $32,000 Stipend per year
• $12,000 Institutional allowance
• May be used over 5 year period
• Opportunity to deepen UMD
mentoring relationships
• Concrete grant writing experience
• You can apply 3 times: as a senior,
1st and 2nd year grad student
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Information: www.nsf.gov/grfp or www.nsfgrfp.org
Apply at: www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/
2014 NSF Results:
Seniors and Recent UMD Alumni
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Information: www.nsf.gov/grfp or www.nsfgrfp.org
Apply at: www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/
GRFP Eligibility
• U.S. citizens, nationals, and
permanent residents
• Early-career students – fewer
than 2 years of previous
graduate study (unless
more than 2 years ago)
• Pursuing research-oriented
PhD (or MS) in NSF field
• Must be enrolled in accredited
U.S. institution by Fall 2015
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Information: www.nsf.gov/grfp or www.nsfgrfp.org
Apply at: www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/
2014 Application Deadlines
October 29, 2014: Engineering / Materials Research / Computer and
Information Sciences and Engineering
October 30, 2014: Mathematical Sciences – Chemistry – Physics/Astronomy
November 3, 2014: Social Sciences – Psychology – STEM Education
November 4, 2014: Life Sciences – Geosciences
November 6, 2014: Reference letter deadline
All deadlines are at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Information: www.nsf.gov/grfp or www.nsfgrfp.org
Apply at: www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/
Complete Application
NSF FastLane
• Personal, Relevant Background, and Future Goals Statement (3 pages)
• Graduate Research Statement (2 pages)
• Transcripts, uploaded into FastLane
• Three letters of reference required
• Additional information required for some candidates See Solicitation
for eligibility requirements (available on www.nsfgrp.org)
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Information: www.nsf.gov/grfp or www.nsfgrfp.org
Apply at: www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/
Review Criteria
NSF Review Criteria for ALL NSF Funding Programs:
1. Intellectual Merit:
Evidence of ability: research – transcript – presentations
Letters of recommendation
Potential for future contributions to your field
Your application essays
2. Broader Impacts:
Impact of your scientific work
Your personal impacts – service, outreach, leadership
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Information: www.nsf.gov/grfp or www.nsfgrfp.org
Apply at: www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/
Broader Impacts
Panelists may consider the following with respect to
the Broader Impacts Criterion:
“the potential for future broader impacts as indicated
by [past and present] personal, professional, and
educational experiences [including service, leadership,
and outreach].”
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Information: www.nsf.gov/grfp or www.nsfgrfp.org
Apply at: www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/
Personal, Relevant Background and
Future Goals Statement (3 pages)
Theme of the Statement:
How do you envision graduate school preparing you for a career that
allows you to contribute to expanding scientific understanding as
well as broadly benefit society?
• Convey your passion for your field of study/research.
• Portray your intentional preparation for a successful graduate
career – key aspects of your education and research background
• Discuss concisely your aims for graduate study.
• Address “Broader Impacts” criteria explicitly – LABEL IT!!!
• Write clearly and engagingly for a scientific but non-expert reader
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Information: www.nsf.gov/grfp or www.nsfgrfp.org
Apply at: www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/
Personal, Relevant Background and
Future Goals Statement (3 pages)
• MOTIVATION AND EDUCATIONAL TRAJECTORY: Describe [clearly and
specifically] your personal, educational and/or professional experiences that
motivate your decision to pursue advanced (graduate) study in science,
technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). (.75 to 1 page)
• PREVIOUS RESEARCH: Include specific examples of any research and/or
professional activities in which you have participated. Present a) a concise
description of the activities, b) highlight the results and c) discuss how these
activities have prepared you to seek a graduate degree. Specify your role in
the activity including the extent to which you worked independently and/or
as part of a team. Note any presentations/publications. (1 to 1.5 pages)
• PERSONAL AND SCIENTIFIC BROADER IMPACTS: Describe the
potential contributions of your work to advancing knowledge as well as the
expected broader societal impacts, and goals for grad study (.75 to 1 page)
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Information: www.nsf.gov/grfp or www.nsfgrfp.org
Apply at: www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/
Graduate Research Plan (2 pages)
Present an original research topic that you would like to pursue in
graduate school. Second-year Grad students should be more focused.
• It is NOT expected you will carry out this research as described. The essay is
intended to demonstrate that you know how to frame research project in
your field. BASE YOUR PROPOSAL ON YOUR RECENT RESEARCH.
• Describe the a) research idea, b) your general approach, as well as c) any
unique resources that may be needed for accomplishing the research goal (i.e.,
access to national facilities or collections, collaborations, overseas work, etc.)
You may choose to include ~ 5 important literature citations.
• Address the potential of the research to a) advance knowledge and
understanding within science as well as b) the potential for broader impacts on
society. The research discussed must be in a field listed in the Solicitation
(Section X, Fields of Study).
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Information: www.nsf.gov/grfp or www.nsfgrfp.org
Apply at: www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/
Recommenders
Reference Letters
• Choose at least three appropriate reference writers
o Research mentors and advanced course instructors are best
o Rank recommenders in order of strength
o List up to 5 recommenders (only top 3 will be read)
• Give them ample time to prepare their letters
• They should know you as a scientist and personally
• Share your application materials and the merit review criteria
(good letters address Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts)
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Information: www.nsf.gov/grfp or www.nsfgrfp.org
Apply at: www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/
Evaluation of applications
• NSF Panelists spend approximately 20 minutes reviewing
your application file – from start to finish.
• You must aim to make it as easy as possible for panelists to
see your strengths – your essays MUST be:
o Highly responsive to requirements
o Clearly written
o Excellently organized
o Strongly focused on explicitly demonstrating your
intellectual merit and broader impacts
• YOU MUST HAVE ESSAYS REVIEWED BY OUTSIDE READERS
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Information: www.nsf.gov/grfp or www.nsfgrfp.org
Apply at: www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/
Next Steps
• Brainstorm your NSF “Graduate Research Plan” statement
with mentors and begin drafting promptly – allow for
several revisions with mentor feedback.
• Identify 3+ recommenders and get them on board – ask
them also to give feedback on your research plan essay.
• Make a full inventory of your “Broader Impacts” and
presentation activities and enhance them if possible.
• Start drafting your statements!
• Contact me at [email protected] for essay reviews
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Information: www.nsf.gov/grfp or www.nsfgrfp.org
Apply at: www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/
Online Advice Sites and Appts.
1. http://grfpessayinsights.missouri.edu/
Or search “grfp essay insights”
2. Contact me for individual appts.:
[email protected]
3. General Info: www.nsfgrfp.org
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Information: www.nsf.gov/grfp or www.nsfgrfp.org
Apply at: www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/