The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Sierra Palumbos and Beth Bowman Graduate Research Fellowship Program Operations Center Brown University

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Goals To select, recognize, and financially support individuals early in their careers with the demonstrated potential to become high achieving scientists… To broaden participation in science and engineering of underrepresented groups National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

What is the NSF GRFP? Five Year Award – $138,000 Three years of financial support $34,000 Stipend per year $12,000 Educational allowance to institution per year International research opportunity through GROW Access to XSEDE cyberinfrastructure resources National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

What makes the GRFP unique? Flexible: choice of project, advisor & program Unrestrictive: No service requirement National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

GRFP Successes 52,000 Fellowships since Nobel Laureates 450 members of the National Academy of Sciences Higher Ph.D. completion rates Enhanced diversity Graduate Research Fellowship Program Operations Center

GRFP Eligibility U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents Have completed no more than 12 months of graduate study as of Aug 1, (NO students entering PhD with MS degree) Pursuing research-based MS or PhD in NSF fields Enrolled in accredited U.S. institution by fall 2016 Applicants must self-certify in the application that they meet the GRFP Eligibility criteria National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

GRFP Eligibility ***New for 2017 application: NSF will limit graduate students to only one application to the GRFP, submitted either in the first year OR in the second year of graduate school What does this mean for you? National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

Read the entire Solicitation!

Supported Disciplines Chemistry Computer and Information Science and Engineering Engineering Geosciences Life Sciences BASIC SCIENCE Materials Research Mathematical Sciences Physics and Astronomy Psychology Social Sciences Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education (research- focused) National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

What is NOT supported by the NSF GRFP? "Research with disease-related goals, including work on the etiology, diagnosis or treatment of physical or mental disease, abnormality, or malfunction in human beings is normally not supported. Animal models of such conditions or the development or testing of drugs or other procedures for their treatment also are not eligible for support...." National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

GRFP Cycle Application : Available online August Deadlines : October 24, 2016 (Life Sciences)… APPLY EARLY Awards : Announced late March to early April Best Time to Start Preparing: Now **Check out the timeline provided on our website National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

What do you need to apply? 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 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

What do you need to apply? 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 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

NSF FastLane National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

Review Criteria Two National Science Board-approved Review Criteria (for both essays): Intellectual Merit : this criterion encompasses the potential to advance knowledge Broader Impacts : this criterion encompasses the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes *** These two criteria are given EQUAL weight National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

Intellectual Merit Panelists may consider the following with respect to the Intellectual Merit Criterion: “the potential of the applicant to advance knowledge based on the totality of the content in the application, including the strength of the academic record, the proposed plan of research, the description of previous research experience or publication/presentations, and references” National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

Broader Impacts Panelists may consider the following with respect to the Broader Impacts Criterion: “the potential for future broader impacts as indicated by personal, professional, and educational experiences” **Remember: your Research Proposal NEEDS to address Broader Impacts National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

What are some example Broader Impacts Emphasize things of substance, not just a list (will be in resume) – Formulate a story Volunteering in community: science outreach Can mention how you’ll tie into opportunities at Vanderbilt – Vanderbilt Center for Science Outreach Undergrad teaching/mentoring – TAing – tutoring – Biology advising – Club leadership—new initiatives – Camps – Honors groups Lab mentoring – Helping young grad students, undergrads Non-science things – Still needs to be significant to society—align with NSF goals

What do you need to apply? 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 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

What do you need to apply? 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 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement (3 pages) Describe your personal, educational and/or professional experiences that motivate your decision to pursue advanced study in STEM Include specific examples of any research and/or professional activities in which you have participated. Describe the contributions of your activity to advancing knowledge in STEM fields as well as the potential for broader societal impacts This needs to be an intentional story National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

What do you need to apply? 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 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

Graduate Research Statement (2 pages) Present an original research topic that you would like to pursue in graduate school (you do NOT have to actually do it if funded) Describe the research idea, your general approach, as well as any unique resources Provide alternate approaches (short) Address the potential of the research to advance knowledge and understanding within science as well as the potential for broader impacts on society. Include a figure? National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

Example figures

Broader Impacts (again) Tie what you’ve done to what you plan to do – Expand on what you’ve done – Show evidence that you have a history of this – Split your examples into the proper essays Don’t just repeat examples from before Not just “throw away” ideas – It needs to sound intentional & specific—not just “I’m going to reach the community”

What do you need to apply? 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 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

Three letters of reference required Choose at least three reference writers 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) Track letter submission using FastLane; you must have 3 letters for a complete application National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

How to prepare a competitive application 1.Read the Solicitation carefully 2.Address the two NSF Merit Review Criteria (Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts) in each Statement 3.Check for spelling and grammatical errors 4.Format documents correctly! Highlight BI and IM 5.Verify statements and transcripts uploads 6.You must certify that this is your own original work 7.Submit a day early! 8.Regularly check application status for # of reference letters National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

Evaluation of Applications Panelists are academic and research experts in general discipline, not necessarily in your research topic Panelists rate your application using the two Merit Review Criteria, Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts NSF requests panelists to provide constructive comments (applicants receive anonymous copies of the reviews) Panels make recommendations to NSF NSF awards fellowships and honorable mentions National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

Example evaluation

Biggest mistakes 1. Too medical 2. Not enough Broader Impacts 3. Formatting 4. Submission

Should YOU apply? 2 nd Year Graduate Students: – Besides constructive feedback, the application is great preparation for: –Other award applications –Job applications –Writing publications –Professional connections 1 st Year Graduate Students: – Do you have strong background in IM and BI? Come meet with us! National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

Resources on our Website grfp-workshop General overview of award Timeline Checklist Research Proposal Writing Guide Self Assessment Rubric Example Applications National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Information: and Apply at:

Planning to Apply? September 14th, 5:00, 214 LH: Q&A and roundtable – To accomplish before: Draft of Personal Statement and Outline for Research Proposal Late September-Early October: individual proposal reviews – To accomplish before: Polished drafts of Personal Statement and Research Proposal