grfp workshop 1.overview of the application process (mechanics) (~1/2 hr) 2.insights from grfp...

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GRFP Workshop1. Overview of the application process (mechanics) (~1/2 hr)

2. Insights from GRFP reviewers (~1/2 hr)

3. Breakout sessions – by NSF directorate (~1/2 hr)

◦ Your questions fielded by current fellows and faculty - former fellows

4. Networking

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship ProgramAPPLICATION MECHANICS AND GUIDANCE

TRISH LOWNEY | PLOWNEY@SYR.EDU | X2882

Ass istant Vice Pres ident , Strategic Research Development

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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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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: Info Sources

1. Solicitation NSF – 13-584: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13584/nsf13584.htm

2. GRF Solicitation Summary and FASTLANE Guidancehttp://osp.syr.edu/forms%20and%20pages/Forms/13-584%20Solicitation%20Summary%20and%20FASTLANE%20guidance.docx

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

• CONFIRM your eligibilityhttp://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13584/nsf13584.htm#elig

a) US citizen, national, permanent resident, and

b) Adequately prepared and early stage of graduate study, and

c) Pursuing NSF-supported field of science and engineering

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Know the application•NSF-supported fields

•See Appendix X of Solicitation - 13-584:◦ http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13584/nsf13584.htm#appendix

•Fields AND disciplines are used to assign applications to review panels!!

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NSF DIRECTORATES NSF-supported fields BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES Life Sciences**

COMPUTER & ENGINEERING SCI CISE

EDU & HUMAN RESOURCES STEM Edu & Learning Res

ENGINEERING Engineering

GEOSCIENCES Geosciences

MATH & PHYSICAL SCI Chemistry, Materials Res, Physics & Astronomy

SOCIAL, BEHAVIORAL & ECON SCI Psychology, Social Sciences

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NSF-supported fields Related Disciplines

SOCIAL SCIENCES

ArchaeologyBiological AnthropologyCultural Anthropology- otherCommunicationsDecision Making and Risk analysisEconomics (except Business Administration)Geography History and Philosophy of ScienceInternational Relations

example

Law and Social ScienceLinguisticsLinguistic AnthropologyMedical AnthropologyPolitical SciencePublic PolicyScience PolicySociology (except Social Work)Urban and Regional PlanningSocial 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

•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 this 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◦ 2013: ~13,000 applications, 2000 awards

plus honorable mentions (~15%)

◦ 2014: ?? Applications, hope to fund 2700 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..◦ Plan on being finished by the end of October (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 13-584 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 (explain speed bumps)

•Use list to help references write letters about you◦ What strong letters should contain is included at the end the

13-584 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 11 writing seminar

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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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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•Refs, transcripts•Fill out & write

•Get feed- back, revise, repeat

Proposal Develop-

ment

• Nov 4 - 8, 8pm• Letters Nov 14 8pm

Submit• Jan - Feb• Panels

Review

• April

Award

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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 –there have been changes from prior years’ instructions!

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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