GRFP 14-590 Workshop
1. Program purpose (< ~1/4 hr)
2. Insights from GRFP reviewers (~1/2 hr)
3. Deeper dive into the application (~1/4- 1/2 hr)
4. Breakout sessions – by NSF directorate (~1/2 hr)
◦ Your questions fielded by current fellows and faculty former fellows
5. Networking
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NSF Graduate Research
Fellowship Program
APPLICATION MECHANICS AND GUIDANCE
T R I SH LOW N E Y | P LOW N EY@ SYR.EDU | X 2 8 82
A s s i stant V i c e Pre sident , S t rategic Re s earch Deve l opm ent
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Take home points
Understand: GRF Program Purpose
Know: application components & review process
Do: your homework
Know: you are not alone. There’s lots of help
available. PERSEVERANCE pays off!!
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GRF Program Purpose
•To help ensure the vitality and diversity of the U.S. scientific
and engineering workforce
◦ recognize and support outstanding graduate students
◦ pursuing research-based MS and PhDs in fields within NSF's
mission
◦ have demonstrated their potential for significant
achievements in science and engineering research.
•$32,000* stipend (12 months), up to 3 yrs; $12,000
education allowance
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Reviewer Insights
Gina Lee-Glauser, PhD
Vice President for Research
Comments from applicants
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Take home points
Understand: GRF Program Purpose
Know: application components & review process
Do: your homework
Know: you are not alone. There’s lots of help
available. PERSEVERANCE pays off!!
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Know the application
1. Solicitation NSF 14-590:
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14590/nsf14590.htm
2. GRF Solicitation Summary and FASTLANE Guidance
3. FASTLANE GRFP https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/Login.do
4. Additional TERRIFIC information - http://www.nsfgrfp.org
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Know the application
1. CONFIRM you’re eligible
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14590/nsf14590.htm#elig
i. US citizen, national, permanent resident, and
ii. Adequately prepared and early stage of graduate
study, and
◦
◦
Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering prior to fall ‘15
Completed no more than 12 months of FT grad study by
Aug 1, 2014
iii. Pursuing an NSF-supported field of science and
engineering
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Fields of study supported by NSF
Appendix X of Solicitation - 14-590:
◦ http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14590/nsf14590.htm#appendix
Why important:
•Fields AND disciplines are used to assign
applications to review panels !!
•Used to track Fellows’ progress and career
outcomes
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NSF DIRECTORATES  NSF-supported fields
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Life Sciences**
COMPUTER & ENGINEERING SCI
CISE
EDU & HUMAN RESOURCES
STEM Edu & Learning Research
ENGINEERING
Engineering
GEOSCIENCES
Geosciences
MATH & PHYSICAL SCI
Chemistry, Materials Res,
Physics & Astronomy
SOCIAL, BEHAVIORAL & ECON SCI
Psychology, Social Sciences,
Economics
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NSF-supported fields  Related Disciplines
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Archaeology
Biological Anthropology
Cultural Anthropology
Anthropology, other
Communications
Decision Making and Risk analysis
Economics (except Business
Administration)
Geography
History and Philosophy of Science
International Relations
example
Law and Social Science
Linguistics
Linguistic Anthropology
Medical Anthropology
Political Science
Public Policy
Science Policy
Sociology (except Social Work)
Urban and Regional Planning
Social Sciences, other (specify)
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Confirm Field and discipline
•SEARCH the NSF awards data base
http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/advancedSearch.jsp
For ◦ Names of faculty in department / program at preferred school
◦ Names of authors of the literature you read
◦ Most confusion is in “life sciences” and “OTHER” categories
◦ Interdisciplinary: Welcomed – how to flag..
•Discuss with your advisors and mentors
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Know the application
Register to create GRF account in FASTLANE
◦ https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/Login.do
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The application components
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The application components
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Personal Statement….. (3 pg, 12 TNR)
Your educational & professional development plans and career goals.
How do you envision graduate school preparing you for a career that
allows you to contribute to expanding scientific understanding a well as
broadly benefit society?
Describe your personal, educational and/or professional experiences that
motivate your decision to pursue advanced study in science, technology,
engineering or mathematics (STEM).
Include examples; concisely describe activities, results and how they
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. Describe the contributions of your
activity to advancing knowledge in STEM fields as well as the potential for
broader societal impacts (See Solicitation, Section VI, for more information
about Broader Impacts).
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Research Statement (2 pg – 12 pt TNR)
Present an original research topic that you would like to pursue in
graduate school.
Describe the research idea, your general approach, as well as 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 important literature citations.
Address the potential of the research to advance knowledge and
understanding within science (INTELLECTUAL MERIT) as well as the
potential for broader impacts on society (Broader Impacts).
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The application review process
TWO NSF REVIEW CRITERIA
Intellectual Merit: the potential to advance knowledge
Broader Impacts: the potential to benefit society and
contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal
outcomes.
Your statements must address both of these explicitly!!
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The Review Criteria – Applied to GRF
Intellectual Merit : the potential of the applicant to
advance knowledge based on a holistic analysis of the
complete application:
◦ personal statement, relevant background, future goals,
◦ graduate research statement,
◦ strength of the academic record,
◦ description of previous research experience or
publication/presentations, and
◦ references.
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The Review Criteria – Applied to GRF
Broader Impacts: the potential of the applicant
for future broader impacts as indicated
◦ by personal experiences,
◦ professional experiences,
◦ educational experiences, and
◦ future plans.
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The application review process
◦ Online / virtual meetings - new last year!
◦ December
◦ Panelists’ orientation
◦ Applications assigned ~30 per panelist
◦ Applications available to review and score for several weeks
◦ January and February
◦ Panels convene virtually to discuss the applicant pool and
make recommendations to NSF.
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Awards
◦ 2014: ~13,000 applications, 2000 awards
plus 1,869 honorable mentions (~15%)
◦ 2015: ?? Applications, hope to fund 2000
awards plus honorable mentions
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Take home points
Understand: GRF Program Purpose
Know: application components, content &
review process
Do: your homework
Know: you are not alone. There’s lots of help
available. PERSEVERANCE pays off!!
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Homework
•Read all materials (a few times, without
distractions)
•Prepare a task list with deadlines
◦ Application components
◦ Transcripts
◦ Letters of References – meet with folks early..
◦ Reference letters due Nov 6, 8:00 pm Eastern Time
◦ Plan on being finished by October 15 (speed bumps
happen!)
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Homework
•Make a list of all things that make you unique and
worthy of this fellowship
◦ Use the GRFP application and 14-590 Checklist
(http:/osp.syr.edu, Quick links – Forms & Presentations)
◦ Be thorough – include all evidence of your accomplishments,
leadership, commitment to research in science/engineering
AND society including global activities (explain speed bumps)
•Use list to help references write letters about you
◦ What strong letters should contain is included at the end the
14-590 checklist (http:/osp.syr.edu – Agency Links)
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Homework
Understand how the application components
and each item requested relate to the review
criteria
◦ Be clear, be responsive, be complete,  every
component contributes and every word counts!
•Work with a writing group
•Participate in the Oct 3 & 17 small writing
group activities – 347 Hinds Hall
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Take home points
Understand: GRF Program Purpose
Know: application components, content &
review process
Do: your homework
Know: you are not alone. There’s lots of help
available. And PERSEVERANCE pays off!!
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Help is all around you!!!
•Never feel awkward asking for help (earlier is
better )!
•Office of Research, Center for Scholarships/Fellowship; Grad School;
advisors, peers, etc etc
•If at first you don’t succeed…
• Try try again!!
•Apply to other competitions, now that you’ve done the GRF
• http://www.nsfgrfp.org/applicant_resources/other_funding_opportunities
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GRFP Timeline
• Sept - Oct
• Register, read,
prepare
• Get
References,
transcripts
• Fill out & write
Proposal
Development
Submit
• Oct 29 - 4, 8pm
• Letters Nov 6 8pm
• Jan - Feb
• Panels
Review
Award
• April
• June
• Aug/Sept
Start
• Get feedback, revise,
repeat
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For more information
•Contact Trish, Kate, Christina (Maxwell)
◦ plowney@syr.edu
◦ khanso01@syr.edu
◦ cldeitz@maxwell.syr.edu
•Contact info@nsfgrfp.org
•Copies of awarded fellowship applications are available upon
request from Trish
• NOTE – Instructions changed in 2013; older app’s will differ!
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Breakout Sessions
•Social Behavioral Economic Sciences – HL 205
◦ Including STEM education and learning sciences
•Biology – HL 211
•Math and Physical Sciences – HL 214
◦ Including Geosciences
•Engineering – HL 215
◦ Including Computer and Information Sciences
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