grfp 14-590 workshop 1.program purpose (< ~1/4 hr) 2.insights from grfp reviewers (~1/2 hr)...
TRANSCRIPT
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GRFP 14-590 Workshop1. 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
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship ProgramAPPLICATION MECHANICS AND GUIDANCE
TRISH LOWNEY | [email protected] | X2882
Ass istant Vice Pres ident , Strategic Research Development
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Take home pointsUnderstand: 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 pointsUnderstand: 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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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
Know the application
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Know the application
1. CONFIRM you’re eligiblehttp://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, 2014iii. 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
ArchaeologyBiological AnthropologyCultural AnthropologyAnthropology, 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◦ 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•Get feed- back, revise, repeat
Proposal Develop-ment
• Oct 29 - 4, 8pm• Letters Nov 6 8pm
Submit
• June • Aug/Sept
Start
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For more information•Contact Trish, Kate, Christina (Maxwell)
◦ [email protected]◦ [email protected]◦ [email protected]
•Contact [email protected]
•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