1. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Pamela M. Norris and John R. Scully*
+Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Programs Frederick Tracy Morse Professor
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
School of Engineering and Applied Science
*Charles Henderson Chaired Professor
Department of Materials Science and Engineering

2. About NSF GRFP
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is the largest and most prestigious graduate fellowship program for the sciences in the USA.
The award is valued at $138,000.
Three-years of financial support
$34,000 Anticipated stipend per year
$12,000 cost of education allowance for tuition and fees
International research opportunity through GROW
Access to XSEDE cyberinfrastructure resources

3. GRFP Unique Features Flexible: choice of project, advisor & program
Unrestrictive: no service requirement
Portable: any accredited US institution

4. GRFP Success Rate 2014 2,053 Awards ~ 12,000 Applications
2018
2,000 Awards
Over 12,000 Applications
17% Success rate

5. About NSF GRFP
Previous winners include Sergey Brin, Google co-founder (he lists winning in his very brief 3 paragraph bio on Google’s website), U.S. Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, and Freakonomics co-author, Steven Levitt.
Over 50,000 Fellows to date (since 1952)
42 Nobel Laureates
> 450 members of the National Academy of Sciences
> 70% of students completing their doctorates within 11 years

6. Resources NSF GRFP Website (nsf.gov/grfp) Solicitation
Tips for applying
FAQ and Guide links
Fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp
Online application, user guides, official announcements
Phone and
866-NSF-GRFP ( )

7. 11/7/2018

8. Eligibility U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents
Early-career students
during the senior year of college or,
after graduating from college but prior to entering graduate school or,
during the first year of graduate school or,
prior to completing the first term of the second year of graduate school
Pursuing research-based MS or PhD in NSF fields
Effective 2017, limited to one application submitted either in the 1st year or in 2nd year of grad school

9. Reviewers--In the Olden Days…
A group of faculty from diverse backgrounds and with diverse research expertise
All assemble in Washington for 3 days for a panel review in February
Examine all the materials available in the files
Sit and just read for about 10 hours a day for 3 days straight!
Think how happy they will be to see a figure! Or a clear, concise statement!
Responsible for rating the applicants and placing them in Quality Groups

10. Reviews---Today Conducted online, with no travel requirements.
Panelists will be granted access to an assigned pool of applications to read and review online for a period of several weeks, starting in December.
In January and February, panels will convene online for two virtual panel sessions scheduled on two different days.
Panelists are academic and research experts in general discipline, not necessarily in your research topic
Examine all the materials available in the files and rate your application using the two Merit Review Criteria
Panels make recommendations to NSF who awards fellowships and honorable mentions

11. Reviews---Today
Conducted online, with no travel requirements. 
Panelists will be granted access to an assigned pool of applications to read and review online for a period of several weeks, starting in December.
In January and February, panels will convene online for two virtual panel sessions scheduled on two different days.
Panelists are academic and research experts in general discipline, not necessarily in your research topic
Examine all the materials available in the files and rate your application using the two Merit Review Criteria
Panels make recommendations to NSF who awards fellowships and honorable mentions
While much better, still, with all that reading “Think how happy they will be to see a figure! Or a clear, concise statement!”

12. 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

14. Review Criteria Two National Science Board-approved Review Criteria:
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

15. Considered in review for both criteria:
What is the potential for the proposed activity to
Advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields (Intellectual Merit); and
Benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader Impacts)?
To what extent do the proposed activities suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?
Is the plan for carrying out the proposed activities well-reasoned, well-organized, and based on a sound rationale? Does the plan incorporate a mechanism to assess success?
How well qualified is the individual, team, or organization to conduct the proposed activities?
Are there adequate resources available to the student (either at the home organization or through collaborations) to carry out the proposed activities?

16. Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts Assessment:
Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement
Graduate Research Statement
Reference Letters
Transcripts

17. NSF Merit Review Criteria #1
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

18. NSF Merit Review Criteria #2
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 and future plans

19. NSF Merit Review Criteria #2
Broader impacts may be accomplished through the research itself, through the activities that are directly related to specific research projects, or through activities that are supported by, but are complementary to, the project.
NSF values the advancement of scientific knowledge and activities that contribute to achievement of societally relevant outcomes. Such outcomes include, but are not limited to:
full participation of women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in STEM
improved STEM education and educator development at any level
increased public scientific literacy and public engagement with science and technology
improved well-being of individuals in society
development of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce
increased partnerships between academia, industry, and others

20. Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement (3 pages)
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? Describe your personal, educational and/or professional experiences that motivate your decision to pursue advanced study in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). Include specific examples of any research and/or professional activities in which you have participated. Present a concise description of the activities, highlight the results and 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. 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)

21. Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement (3 pages)
Demonstrate Broader Impacts
Express your passion for science in terms of broader impacts, i.e., there is integration between what you love to do and how you want to help/change
Show, don’t tell
Leave self-praise for the recommendation letters (don’t sound arrogant!)
Never state you intend to stop at the MS

22. Research Experience
Describes any scientific research activities in which you have participated, such as experience in undergraduate research programs, or research experience gained through summer or part-time employment or in work-study programs, or other research activities, either academic or job-related. Explain the purpose of the research and your specific role in the research, including the extent to which you worked independently and/or as part of a team, and what you learned from your research. In your statement, distinguish between undergrad and grad research experience.
Be sure somewhere in your package you document any publications and/or presentations made at national and/or regional professional meetings and mention in the essay.

23. A panelist might ask:
What’s the applicant’s MOTIVATION for graduate study?
Is there TANGIBLE EVIDENCE demonstrating sincerity of interest?
How does applicant plan to GIVE BACK to society?
Is there TANGIBLE EVIDENCE demonstrating sincerity of intent?
Does the applicant display LEADERSHIP qualities?

24. Graduate Research Plan (2 pages)
Present an original research topic that you would like to pursue in graduate school.  (Transformational vs. incremental)
Define needs, gaps and opportunities associated with topic
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 as well as the potential for broader impacts on society.  (transformational)
The research discussed must be in a field listed in the Solicitation (Section X, Fields of Study).
* You can always switch projects. This is not binding.

25. Graduate Research Plan (2 pages)
Suggested Format: Include the title, key words, hypothesis, research plan (strategy, methodology, and controls), anticipated results or findings, literature citations*.
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.
*Necessary references and/or citations should be included in your essays and will count towards the page limit. Only a few are needed.

26. Graduate Research Plan (2 pages)
Arguably the most important essay
Choose one project and make a mini-grant proposal for it (be specific)
Present a hypothesis. Cover background (short paragraph), methods, possible outcomes, the importance of your study, and possible follow-ups
Use headings and figures if possible (project flowchart?)
Use select KEY references/citations to demonstrate your knowledge of the field (show command of lit. but be brief)
Hint—sparingly use footnotes to convey necessary background info
Demonstrate how the study benefits society or otherwise fills the broader impacts criteria (transformational if possible)
Mention why you have chosen the proper institution for carrying out this research

27. A panelist might ask:
Does the applicant develop a relevant research hypothesis?
Does the applicant develop a cogent, cohesive research plan?
Does the applicant understand relevant research principles & techniques?
Does the applicant communicate the impact & relevance of proposed research findings?
Is there a plan that addresses broader impact integrated into the research plan?
How will your research benefit society?

28. Letters of Reference
The referee is asked to do the following: • Indicate his or her department and institution, and how long they have known you, and in what capacity. • On the basis of knowledge of your past and current research experience and activities, comment on your potential to do the following: - Succeed in graduate school, - Conduct original research, - Communicate effectively, - Work cooperatively with peers and supervisors, and - Make unique contributions to his/her chosen discipline and to society in general. • If he or she has known or supervised other NSF Graduate Research Fellows, compare you with them. Otherwise, compare you to other successful graduate students or senior undergraduates that he or she has known in their institution or through interactions with other institutions. • Comment on the broader impacts of supporting you, including your leadership potential in the chosen field of graduate work and in general, as a member of the scientific and technical community.

29. References
Three are required! And only 3 will be used. You may provide a list of up to five references. You will assign a priority to each reference (1 being the highest priority, 5 being the lowest priority). The three submitted reference letters with the highest priority will be included in your application package. Recommend applicants list at least four references, as that provides you with a “backup” in the event that one of the references is unable to submit a letter by the deadline. It is your job to follow-up and make sure the letters are submitted prior to the deadline, Nov. 14, 2013.

30. References
Note that the more specific (as opposed to generic) a letter the referee can provide, the better it is for the candidate. If the referee is your research supervisor (and one SHOULD be), the referee should comment on the originality of your proposal, and communicate what role he or she played in assisting you with the proposal. It is to the applicant's advantage to submit References from faculty members who have current knowledge of the applicant's academic work and scholarly development. If that is not possible, as in the case of applicants who have been out of school for some time, letters from other faculty or employers would be appropriate. NSF suggests that at least two of the three references be persons with whom you have worked in your present (or most recent) department, including your thesis adviser.

31. References
It is your job to prepare your referees to write a good letter. Make sure they have your most recent resume and copies of any papers you have published. It is also best if they have copies of your essays prior to writing their recommendation so that they can confirm information provided, expand on it, or provide additional details to strengthen the application.
Inform your recommenders early
Give them copies of your essays
Tell them what to write (so they each cover something different)
Have your current graduate school advisor write a letter

32. Most Successful Applicants Have
Strong --- but not necessarily perfect--academic records
Extremely strong letters of recommendations---primarily from tenure track faculty with good knowledge of the applicants abilities
Clear understanding of impact and relevance of past and planned research
Clear visions of how a Ph.D. fits into their career plans
Relevant research hypotheses & cogent cohesive research plans
Demonstrated leadership in giving back to society

33. Preparing a competitive application
Read the Solicitation carefully and get started immediately!
Address the two NSF Merit Review Criteria (Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts) in each Statement
Check for spelling and grammatical errors (revise, revise, revise---have multiple professors or other students ready your essays)
Verify statements and transcripts uploads
You must certify that this is your own original work
You must self-certify your eligibility according to the criteria in the Solicitation
Make sure you Press “Submit” button
Regularly check application status for # of reference letters

34. 2019 Applicant Deadlines Due by 5 p. m
2019 Applicant Deadlines Due by 5 p.m. local time of applicant’s address
Deadlines are as follows:
October 23, Engineering fields, CISE, Materials Research
October 26, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy
October 25, Social Sciences, Psychology, STEM Education and Learning Research
October 22, Life Sciences; Geosciences

35. National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowship
NDSEG Fellowships are awarded to applicants who will pursue a doctoral degree in, or closely related to, an area of DoD interest. NDSEG Fellowships last for three years and pay for full tuition and all mandatory fees, a monthly stipend, and up to $1,000 a year in medical insurance. All materials are due by 5 pm EST December 12, 2014

36. Eligibility
The NDSEG Fellowship Program is open only to applicants who are citizens or nationals of the United States.
Fields of study: Engineering, Chemistry, CISE, Biosciences, Mathematics, Physics and Behavioral Sciences. (list of the 15 supported disciplines found online)
Academic Status
Students must have received or be on track to receive their bachelor’s by Summer 2019
They have an undergraduate degree and have never enrolled in a graduate program.
They are in their first or second year of their graduate studies.

37. Eligibility
Students must also have the ability to accept. You are required to enroll at a U.S. institution in a full-time program leading to a graduate degree in your discipline of study. Fellowships are awarded only to applicants who intend to pursue a doctoral degree.
Must have a general GRE score from the last five years.
Electronic transcripts are required, but do not wait to submit this fall’s transcript because the deadline is December 7, 2018

38. Other Fellowship Opportunities
A long list of other fellowship opportunities is provided at:
Funding Opportunity Search Engines:
Pivot
GrantForward
Grants.gov

39. Writing Support SEAS Graduate Writing Lab events and resources:
GRFP Student Panel: Sept 24th, 2018, 2:30-3:30 in Wilsdorf 200
Join the Fellowship Writing Peer Review Group
Connect to the NSFGRFP Slack Channel
Check out the GWL online resources for proposal writing
Make a 1-on-1 appointment
11/7/2018