1. Graduate Fellowship Workshop
NSF GRFP fellowships provide a $34,000 annual stipend for three years to catalyze professional development and independent research.
GRFP proposals are due in late October (varying by discipline), you get one attempt
Many other sponsors provide graduate student fellowships, including:
NASA
Department of Defense
National Institute of Health
Department of Energy

2. General Tips for Applicants
Start early to allow time for revisions and reviews
Read the solicitation carefully to make sure you address all the required topics
Use subheadings and bold to help guide reviewers to key information
Write to the review criteria:
Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts
Use plain language to convey ideas clearly and concisely
Do not assume that your reviewers are experts in your subfield
Contact your reference writers early
Choose references who can speak to different qualities
Choose one or two backup references, just in case

3. Tips for Writing the Graduate Research Statement
Include a specific section for Intellectual Merit, plus weave it throughout your proposal
How will your research advance knowledge in your field?
Provide a thorough research plan
Demonstrate creativity
Discuss potential risks and alternative approaches
Provide evidence that you have the skills to be successful
Include a section for Broader Impacts
How will your research benefit society?

4. Tips for Writing the Personal Statement
Describe what motivates you to pursue a STEM graduate degree
Ex: how has a unique personality trait or experience of hardship shaped your motivation?
Discuss your growth as a researcher
Don’t be shy about sharing your accomplishments
Provide evidence of perseverance, leadership and collaboration skills, creativity, initiative, etc.
Articulate your long-term career goals
Provide evidence of your contributions to society

5. Tips for Reference Writers
Provide details about the applicant that speak to the review criteria (Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts)
Discuss what sets the applicant apart from other students
What makes her/him exceptional?
Provide evidence of the applicant’s potential to succeed in graduate school
Emphasize the applicant’s potential as a future STEM research leader

6. Panelists Civil Engineering: Profs. Chris Higgins, Prof. Tim Strathman
Dr. Bridget Ulrich, Juliane Brown, Andrew Koehler
Chemistry: Allison Lim and Prof. Alan Sellinger
Mechanical: Ava Segal and Jasmin Honegger
Geology: Prof. Alexis Sitchler