NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program nsfgrfp

1. National Science Foundation NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Programwww.nsfgrfp.org Graduate Research Fellowship Program Operations Center

2. GRFP Key Benefits • 2000 Awards made annually • Three years of support: • $32,000 Stipend per year • $12,000 Institutional allowance • May be used over 5 year period • Opportunity to deepen UMD mentoring relationships • Concrete grant writing experience • You can apply 3 times: as a senior, 1st and 2nd year grad student

3. 2014 NSF Results: Seniors and Recent UMD Alumni

4. GRFP Eligibility • U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents • Early-career students – fewer than 2 years of previous graduate study (unless more than 2 years ago) • Pursuing research-oriented PhD (or MS) in NSF field • Must be enrolled in accredited U.S. institution by Fall 2015

5. 2014 Application Deadlines October 29, 2014: Engineering / Materials Research / Computer and Information Sciences and Engineering October 30, 2014: Mathematical Sciences – Chemistry – Physics/Astronomy November 3, 2014: Social Sciences – Psychology – STEM Education November 4, 2014: Life Sciences – Geosciences November 6, 2014: Reference letter deadline All deadlines are at8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

6. 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 www.nsfgrp.org)

7. Review Criteria NSF Review Criteria for ALL NSF Funding Programs: 1. Intellectual Merit: • Evidence of ability: research – transcript – presentations • Letters of recommendation • Potential for future contributions to your field • Your application essays 2. Broader Impacts: • Impact of your scientific work • Your personal impacts – service, outreach, leadership

8. Broader Impacts • Panelists may consider the following with respect to the Broader Impacts Criterion: • “the potential for future broader impacts as indicated by [past and present] personal, professional, and educational experiences [including service, leadership, and outreach].”

9. Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement (3 pages) • Theme of the Statement: • 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? • Convey your passion for your field of study/research. • Portray your intentional preparation for a successful graduate career – key aspects of your education and research background • Discuss concisely your aims for graduate study. • Address “Broader Impacts” criteria explicitly – LABEL IT!!! • Write clearly and engagingly for a scientific but non-expert reader

10. Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement (3 pages) • MOTIVATION AND EDUCATIONAL TRAJECTORY: Describe [clearly and specifically] your personal, educational and/or professional experiences that motivate your decision to pursue advanced (graduate) study in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). (.75 to 1 page) • PREVIOUS RESEARCH: Include specific examples of any research and/or professional activities in which you have participated. Present a) a concise description of the activities, b) highlight the results and c) 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. Note any presentations/publications. (1 to 1.5 pages) • PERSONAL AND SCIENTIFIC BROADER IMPACTS: Describe the potential contributions of your work to advancing knowledge as well as the expected broader societal impacts, and goals for grad study (.75 to 1 page)

11. Graduate Research Plan (2 pages) Present an original research topic that you would like to pursue in graduate school. Second-year Grad students should be more focused. • It is NOT expected you will carry out this research as described. The essay is intended to demonstrate that you know how to frame research project in your field.BASE YOUR PROPOSAL ON YOUR RECENT RESEARCH. • Describe the a) research idea, b) your general approach, as well as c) 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 ~ 5 important literature citations.  • Address the potential of the research to a) advance knowledge and understanding within science as well as b) the potential for broader impacts on society.  The research discussed must be in a field listed in the Solicitation (Section X, Fields of Study).

12. Recommenders • Reference Letters • Choose at least three appropriate reference writers • Research mentors and advanced course instructors are best • Rank recommenders in order of strength • List up to 5 recommenders (only top 3 will be read) • Give them ample time to prepare their letters • They should know you as a scientist and personally • Share your application materials and the merit review criteria (good letters address Intellectual MeritandBroader Impacts)

13. Evaluation of applications • NSF Panelists spend approximately 20 minutes reviewing your application file – from start to finish. • You must aim to make it as easy as possible for panelists to see your strengths – your essays MUST be: • Highly responsive to requirements • Clearly written • Excellently organized • Strongly focused on explicitly demonstrating your intellectual merit and broader impacts • YOU MUST HAVE ESSAYS REVIEWED BY OUTSIDE READERS

14. Next Steps • Brainstorm your NSF “Graduate Research Plan” statement with mentors and begin drafting promptly – allow for several revisions with mentor feedback. • Identify 3+ recommenders and get them on board – ask them also to give feedback on your research plan essay. • Make a full inventory of your “Broader Impacts” and presentation activities and enhance them if possible. • Start drafting your statements! • Contact me at nsfgrfp@umd.edu for essay reviews

15. Online Advice Sites and Appts. • 1. http://grfpessayinsights.missouri.edu/ • Or search “grfp essay insights” • 2. Contact me for individual appts.: • nsfgrfp@umd.edu • 3. General Info: www.nsfgrfp.org