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The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSFGRFP)
Dr. Lauren AndersonAssistant Professor, Chemical & Biomolecular
Engineering
September 23, 2013
NSFGRFP: about the program
http://www.nsfgrfp.org/about_the_program
GRFP video:
NSFGRFP Overview
Fellowships for graduate study research-based master's or doctoral degrees at accredited US
institutions fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM)
Three years of support = $132, 000!!! Annual stipend of $32,000, paid monthly $2666 Cost of education allowance to institution is $12,000 per year
International research opportunity through GROW
Access to XSEDE cyberinfrastructure resources
2,064 graduate fellowships awarded in 2012 (>12,000 applications received)
Eligibility
Applicants must certify their own eligibility before submitting an application. The application module will include a certification statement, which applicants must accept, stating that they are eligible to receive the fellowship.
To be eligible for the NSF GRFP, you must:
be a US citizen, US national, or permanent resident▪ Priority to underrepresented populations in the sciences, those with
disabilities, and people from all geographic and economic backgrounds be in a research-focused Master's or Ph.D. program in an NSF-
supported field be enrolled in an eligible program at an accredited United States
graduate institution by Fall 2014 have completed no more than twelve months of full-time
graduate study (or the equivalent)
NSFGRFP Supported Disciplines Chemistry Computer and Information Sciences &
Engineering Engineering Geosciences Life Sciences Materials Research Mathematical Sciences Physics & Astronomy Psychology Social Sciences STEM Education & Learning Research
Choosing a Primary Field
Field of study that most closely matches your proposed graduate research topic Note: might not be the same as your graduate
department designation
This is who will review your application! Two or more experts in disciplinary fields will read
your application
How to select primary field of study: http
://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13584/nsf13584.pdf
Proposed Field of Study, examples:
CHEMISTRYChemical CatalysisChemical Measurement and ImagingChemical Structure, Dynamics, and MechanismChemical SynthesisChemical Theory, Models and Computational MethodsChemistry of Life ProcessesEnvironmental Chemical SystemsMacromolecular, Supramolecular, and NanochemistrySustainable ChemistryChemistry, other (specify)
ENGINEERINGAeronautical and AerospaceBioengineeringBiomedicalChemical EngineeringCivil EngineeringComputer EngineeringElectrical and ElectronicEnergyEnvironmentalIndustrial Engineering & Operations ResearchMaterialsMechanicalNuclearOceanOptical EngineeringPolymerSystems EngineeringEngineering, other (specify)
LIFE SCIENCESBiochemistryBiophysicsCell BiologyDevelopmental BiologyEcologyEnvironmental ScienceEvolutionary BiologyGeneticsGenomicsMicrobiologyMolecular BiologyNeurosciencesOrganismal BiologyPhysiologyProteomicsStructural BiologySystematic BiologyLife Sciences, other (specify)
This is who will review your application!
NOT Supported by GRFP
Clinical work Counseling Business administration & management Social work Practice-oriented professional degree
programs Medical, dental, law, or public health
programs Joint science-professional degree
programs, e.g., MD/PhD, JD/PhD, etc.
Deadlines (due by 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time):
November 4, 2013 Computer and Information Science and Engineering All Engineering Materials Research
November 5, 2013 Mathematical Sciences Chemistry Physics and Astronomy
November 7, 2013 Social Sciences; Psychology; STEM Education and Learning
November 8, 2013 Life Sciences; Geosciences
November 14, 2013 Reference Letters Due (also 8 p.m.)
Winners announced in early April 2014
The Application
NSF FastLane: https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/Login.do http://www.nsfgrfp.org/assets/File/Applicant%20Module%20
Screenshots_2013.pdf
Personal Profile Education and Work Experience Planned Graduate Program Personal statement (2 pages) Previous research experience (2 pages) Proposed plan of research (2 pages) Transcripts (uploaded to Fastlane) Three letters of reference As of 2011, GRE scores no longer needed!
Go to NSF GRFP Website (nsf.gov/grfp) for details
Preparing a Competitive Application
REFLECTION
DISCUSSION CONSTRUCTION
POLISH
of experiences and proposed research
with your NSF mentor
to create final draft
of rough draft; give to mentor to review
Personal Statement
Essay (2 pages)
Fascination with research area
Personal, professional, or educational experiences that have prepared you to pursue advanced study in a STEM field
Evidence of leadership potential and unique characteristics brought to chosen field
Personal experiences and individual strengths;
Career aspirations and how the fellowship will enable you to achieve your goals
You MUST provide specific details that address BOTH Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts
8.5”x11”, 12-point font, Times New Roman, 1” margins, single spaced or greater, 2 page max
Previous Research Experience Essay (2 pages, with figures and references)
Describe scientific research activities in which you have participated
Explain the purpose of the research, your specific role in the research, and what you learned from your research
Key questions, methodology, findings, and conclusions
Team and/or independent work
If you have no direct research experience, describe any activities that you believe have prepared you to undertake research.
Mention all publications, posters, presentations, awards, recognition, etc.
You MUST provide specific details that address BOTH Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts8.5”x11”, 12-point font, Times New Roman, 1” margins, single spaced or greater, 2 page max
Proposed Plan of Research Essay (2 pages, with figures and references)
Original inquiry –introduce general theory, importance, and motivation
Demonstrate your understanding of research design and methodology and explain the relationship to your previous research, if any
Detailed plan, but avoid being overly specific
Perceived scope of work during graduate study and beyond – demonstrate feasibility
If you have not formulated a research plan, your statement should include a description of a topic that interests you and how you would propose to conduct research on that topic
Demonstrate the Broader Impacts of the proposed research
NOTE: Research topics discussed in your proposed plan will be used to determine eligibility. Refer to the Field of Study eligibility criterion in the program announcement.
8.5”x11”, 12-point font, Times New Roman, 1” margins, single spaced or greater, 2 page max
How will it be evaluated?
Two National Science Board-approved criteria:
1) Intellectual Merit
2) Broader Impacts
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 (individual or team) to conduct the project? (If appropriate, the reviewer will comment on the quality of prior work.)
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?
How will I.M. be assessed? Academic performance Awards/honors Communication skills International experience Independence/creativity Publication/
presentations Research plan Choice of institution References Research experience
Broader Impacts
How well does the activity advance discovery and understanding while promoting teaching, training, and learning?
How well does the proposed activity broaden the participation of underrepresented groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity, disability, geographic, etc.)?
To what extent will it enhance the infrastructure for research and education, such as facilities, instrumentation, networks, and partnerships?
Will the results be disseminated broadly to enhance scientific and technological understanding?
What may be the benefits of the proposed activity to society?
How will B.I. be assessed? Prior accomplishments Future plans Individual experiences Integration of research and
education Potential to reach diverse
audiences Impact on society and
connectivity Community outreach Leadership potential
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2002/nsf022/bicexamples.pdf
Reference Letters: (due by November 27, 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time):
Three reference letters. Reference writers should use letterhead, if possible, and include the following information: Name and Title of reference writer, Department, and Institution or Organization.
The reference letter should provide details explaining: relationship to the applicant, applicant's potential and prior research experiences, Intellectual Merits and Broader Impacts of application
Choose people that know you!
Discuss the application and share your essays with them.
Top Tips From Reviewers Gain research experience
Become involved in leadership roles and community service
Write clear and scientifically-sound essays
Strive for scientific publications and presentations
Have a strong academic record
Select strong recommenders
Link your teaching and research experiences
Ensure you display a history of accomplishments
Address both Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts
Highlight any international experience you may have
Display your passion and motivation in the essays
Be knowledgeable of your research topic
Demonstrate the significance of your proposed work
Make sure the proposed research is realistic
NSFGRFP Contest Winners
To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, NSF gave recent fellows a great opportunity to showcase their creativity and thoughts about how their research can help shape the future – for themselves, their fields or their world.
http://www.nsfgrfp.org/60th_anniversary_grfp/video_contest_winners
Helpful Links
http://www.nsf.gov/grfp - Official program announcement and information, information for awarded fellows, FAQ guides, and information for coordinating officials
http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/ - Application submission & award announcements
http://www.nsfgrfp.org - Unofficial program information, applicant assistance & resources, outreach-related issues, panelist registration & information, and applicant ratings sheet review
Instructions: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13584/nsf13584.pdf
Other Fellowships
This site has a nice compilation of fellowships for both undergraduate and graduate students:
http://www.nsfgrfp.org/applicant_resources/other_funding_opportunities
Questions?
Dr. Lauren AndersonChemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Office: AEC [email protected]
Dean GoldbergOffice of the Dean of the College
105A Scott [email protected]
