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GRFP 14-590 Workshop

GRFP 14-590 Workshop. Program purpose (< ~1/4 hr) Insights from GRFP reviewers (~1/2 hr ) Deeper dive into the application (~1/4- 1/2 hr ) Breakout sessions – by NSF directorate (~1/2 hr) Your questions fielded by current fellows and faculty - former fellows Networking.

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GRFP 14-590 Workshop

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  1. GRFP 14-590 Workshop • Program purpose (< ~1/4 hr) • Insights from GRFP reviewers (~1/2 hr) • Deeper dive into the application (~1/4- 1/2 hr) • Breakout sessions – by NSF directorate (~1/2 hr) • Your questions fielded by current fellows and faculty - former fellows • Networking

  2. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Application Mechanics and Guidance Trish Lowney | Plowney@syr.edu | x2882 Assistant Vice President, Strategic Research Development

  3. 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!!

  4. 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

  5. Reviewer Insights • Gina Lee-Glauser, PhD • Vice President for Research • Comments from applicants

  6. 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!!

  7. Know the application • Solicitation NSF 14-590: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14590/nsf14590.htm • GRF Solicitation Summary and FASTLANE Guidance • FASTLANE GRFP https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/Login.do • Additional TERRIFIC information - http://www.nsfgrfp.org

  8. Know the application 1. CONFIRM you’re eligible http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14590/nsf14590.htm#elig • US citizen, national, permanent resident, and • 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, 2014 • Pursuing an NSF-supported field of science and engineering

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. NSF-supported fields  Related Disciplines SOCIAL SCIENCES example Law and Social ScienceLinguisticsLinguistic AnthropologyMedical AnthropologyPolitical SciencePublic PolicyScience PolicySociology (except Social Work)Urban and Regional PlanningSocial Sciences, other (specify) • ArchaeologyBiological AnthropologyCultural AnthropologyAnthropology, otherCommunicationsDecision Making and Risk analysisEconomics (except Business Administration)Geography History and Philosophy of ScienceInternational Relations

  12. 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

  13. Know the application • Register to create GRF account in FASTLANE • https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/Login.do

  14. The application components

  15. The application components

  16. 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, resultsand 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).

  17. 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).

  18. 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!!

  19. 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.

  20. 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.

  21. 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.

  22. Awards • 2014: ~13,000 applications, 2000 awards plus 1,869 honorable mentions (~15%) • 2015:?? Applications, hope to fund 2000 awards plus honorable mentions

  23. 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!!

  24. 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 October15 (speed bumps happen!)

  25. 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 evidenceof 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)

  26. 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

  27. 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. AndPERSEVERANCEpays off!!

  28. 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, etcetc • 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

  29. GRFP Timeline

  30. 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 – Instructions changed in 2013; older app’s will differ!

  31. 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

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