nsf grfp fellowship workshop

SEPT. 05, 2013

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Contact: Roxanne Malé-Brune, [email protected], 7-1227Mark McMills, [email protected]; 593-1750 Lauren McMills, [email protected]; 593-1754

mailto:[email protected]

Workshop OverviewWorkshop Overview

How do I find fellowships opportunities?

Overview of the NSF GRFP program and tips for writing competitive applications

Other science-related fellowships

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How Do I Find Other Fellowship How Do I Find Other Fellowship Opportunities?Opportunities?

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Upcoming FellowshipsUpcoming Fellowships

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Upcoming FellowshipsUpcoming Fellowships

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PIVOT DatabasePIVOT Database

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Search the database by:•Grants, fellowships, summer internships

•academic discipline, academic level, nationality, and more.

Register at http://www.cos.comNote, the first time you must use a computer connected to the OU network. Once you confirm your registration you can then use your username and password to sign into PIVOT, http://pivot.cos.com from any computer.

Next Workshops: 20 minutes, 102 RTECSept. 6, 12:00 noon Sept. 10, 10:00 am

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship NSF Graduate Research Fellowship ProgramProgram

http://nsfgrfp.orgApplications due Nov. 04-08, 2013, depending on field of study Overview:Supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in the U.S. Provides three years of support for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant achievements in science and engineering research.

Benefits:Three years of support $32,000 annual stipend$12,000 cost-of-education allowance

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Eligibility:

U.S. citizens or nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the U.S.Begin graduate study and research by summer or fall 2014. Individuals are typically eligible to apply:

• During the senior year of college• After graduating from college and prior to entering graduate school• During the first year of graduate school• Prior to completing the fall term of the second year of graduate school

No more than 12 months of full-time graduate study as of Aug. 1, 2013, all graduate-level study is counted except:

• BS/MS programs• Disruption of in graduate study of > 2 consecutive years and no degree

earnedGPA is no longer a criteria but GPA >3.6 preferred (as per past experience)GRE not Required

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Topic Areas:•Chemistry•Computer and Info Science and Engineering•Engineering•Geosciences•Life Sciences•Materials Research•Mathematical Sciences•Physics and Astronomy•Psychology•Social Sciences•STEM Education & Learning Research

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Ineligible programs of study:Practice-oriented professional degree programs

Joint professional degree-science programs (MD/PhD and JD/PhD)

Medical, dental, law, and public health programs

*Clinical, counseling, business administration or management, social work, education (except STEM education), or history (except history of science).

* Clinical: patient-oriented research, epidemiological and behavioral studies, outcomes research and health services research

Research with disease-related goals, including etiology, diagnosis or treatment of physical or mental disease, abnormality or malfunction. Not including bioengineering (as per solicitation) or biochemistry (as per program officer).

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Components of an NSF Fellowship Components of an NSF Fellowship ApplicationApplication

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Each section must address Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts

Personal Statement, Relevant Background

and Future Goals

Personal Statement, Relevant Background

and Future Goals

Graduate Research Statement

Graduate Research Statement

Personal Statement, Relevant Background Personal Statement, Relevant Background and Future Goals - Prompt (3 pages)and Future Goals - Prompt (3 pages)

Outline your educational and 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 as 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 specific examples of any research and/or professional activities in which you have participated.

o Present a concise description of the activities, highlight the results and discuss how these activities have prepared you to seek a graduate degree.

o Specify your role in the activity including the extent to which you worked independently and/or as part of a team.

o Describe the contributions of your activity to advancing knowledge in STEM fields as well as the potential for broader societal impacts.

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Personal Statement, Relevant Background Personal Statement, Relevant Background and Future Goals – Prompt (3 pages)and Future Goals – Prompt (3 pages)

NSF Fellows are expected to become globally engaged knowledge experts and leaders who can contribute significantly to research, education, and innovations in science and engineering.

The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate your potential to satisfy this requirement.

NOTE: Your ideas and examples do not have to be confined necessarily to the discipline that you have chosen to pursue.

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Graduate Research Statement – Graduate Research Statement – Prompt Prompt

(2 pages)(2 pages)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 as well as the potential for broader impacts on society.

•The research discussed must be in a field listed in the Solicitation.

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Intellectual Merit and Broader ImpactsIntellectual Merit and Broader Impacts

Address Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts in both written statements in order to provide reviewers with the information necessary to evaluate your application with respect to both Criteria.

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Tips from the Program OfficerTips from the Program Officer

“The two statements are different from the three essays used in previous years (not “folded in”).

The inclusion of “personal, educational and/or professional experiences that motivate your decision to pursue advanced study” is new, and focuses the applicants on their career goals and how previous experiences (undergraduate research or other activities) have influenced their career goals and prepared them for graduate school, and how they see advanced study as part of their career development.

The second statement is more general in scope than in previous years, in that it asks applicants to present an original topic/idea as well as a plan for how they propose to use their graduate school years to prepare them for their careers. The review focuses on the potential of the individual applicant, not on the specific research project proposed.” Gisele Muller-Parker 17

Application Review CriteriaApplication Review Criteria

What is the potential for the proposed activity to: • Advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or

across different fields (Intellectual Merit); and • Benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader

Impacts)?

To what extent do the proposed activities suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?

Is the plan for carrying out the proposed activities well-reasoned, well-organized, and based on a sound rationale? Does the plan incorporate a mechanism to assess success?

How well qualified is the individual, team, or organization to conduct the proposed activities?

Are there adequate resources available to the PI (either at the home organization or through collaborations) to carry out the proposed activities?

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What is Intellectual Merit?What is Intellectual Merit?

The Intellectual Merit criterion encompasses the potential to advance knowledge.

How important is the proposed activity to advancing knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields?

How well qualified is the proposer to conduct the project?

To what extent does the proposed activity suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?

How well conceived and organized is the proposed activity?

Is there sufficient access to resources?19

Essay 1: Essay Prompt and Essay 1: Essay Prompt and Intellectual Intellectual MeritMerit





o 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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Essay 1: Intellectual MeritEssay 1: Intellectual Merit

Convince reviewers that you will become a globally engaged knowledge expert and leader who can contribute significantly to research, education, and innovations in science and engineering.

Emphasize your:

• Strength of academic record, advanced-level, special classes

• Science expertise –technical skills, knowledge of field

• Leadership

• Communication skills

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What are Broader Impacts?What are Broader Impacts?Broader impacts may be accomplished through (1) the research itself, (2) through the activities that are directly related to specific research projects, or (3) through activities that are supported by, but are complementary to, the project.

NSF values the advancement of scientific knowledge and activities that contribute to achievement of societally relevant outcomes. •Such outcomes include, but are not limited to: full participation of women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); improved STEM education and educator development at any level; increased public scientific literacy and public engagement with science and technology; improved well-being of individuals in society; development of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce; increased partnerships between academia, industry, and others; improved national security; increased economic competitiveness of the US; and enhanced infrastructure for research and education.

Note: Appalachians and 1st-generation college students are considered underserved groups.

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Essay 1: Essay Prompt and Essay 1: Essay Prompt and Broader Broader ImpactsImpacts





o 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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Examples of Broader ImpactsExamples of Broader Impacts


Emphasize your:

•Previous and ongoing personal experiences with broader impacts

o This includes outreach and mentoring, science-related and other

•Previous and ongoing professional experiences with broader impacts

o This includes outreach and mentoring related to your research

•Broader impacts of your previous and ongoing research to other fields

Definitely include experiences with under-represented or underserved groups.

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Examples of Broader ImpactsExamples of Broader Impacts

Benefits of research to greater scientific community/society?

• Your participation in educational outreach?o Translation of your research to education

e.g., Tours of lab for public e.g., Outreach to K-12 through lab demos e.g., Talks at library

o Research training/Mentoring of young scientistso General science outreach: K-12; community;

university?

• Inclusion of diverse populations? o e.g., K-12 outreach in Appalachiao e.g., Participation of under-represented minorities

(race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, interest)

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Essay 1 – Essay 1 – Essay Prompt Essay Prompt and Tipsand TipsTHERE IS NO ONE WAY TO WRITE THIS ESSAY.

State your educational and professional development plans and career goals.

e.g., plan to pursue a PhD in XXX with emphasis on YYY and a career in ZZZ with a focus on AAA.

As part of this answer: 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?

What motivated you to choose this path?

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Essay 1 – Essay 1 – Essay Prompt Essay Prompt and Tipsand TipsDescribe your personal, educational and/or professional experiences

that motivate your decision to pursue advanced study in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM).

Consider grouping experiences, e.g., education, outreach, previous research

Include specific examples of any research and/or professional activities in which you have participated. Consider stating:Objectives of the project (e.g., for research: hypothesis if quantitative or research questions if qualitative; for other experiences: mission/goal)Timeline (e.g., duration and chronology during UG or G career)Your Role: (leader, team member)Methodology (scientific language but no jargon!)Intellectual Merit: (1) How did research further the knowledge in your field? (2) Skills Gained/Lessons/Learned? (3) Reference your publications/presentations/ significant fellowships/grants.Broader Impacts: How did research or other experience benefit society? 27

Essay 1 - tipsEssay 1 - tips

Finish with a strong statement about how your experiences as a whole allow you to become a globally engaged knowledge expert and leader who can contribute significantly to research, education, and innovations in science and engineering.

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Essay 2: Essay Prompt and Essay 2: Essay Prompt and Intellectual Intellectual MeritMerit

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 as well as the potential for broader impacts on society. •The research discussed must be in a field listed in the Solicitation (Section X, Fields of Study).

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Essay 2: Intellectual MeritEssay 2: Intellectual Merit


Emphasize your: •Skills you will learn.•How will the proposed research contribute to/further the field?

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Essay 2: Essay Prompt and Essay 2: Essay Prompt and Broader Broader ImpactsImpacts

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 as well as the potential for broader impacts on society.

•The research discussed must be in a field listed in the Solicitation (Section X, Fields of Study).

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Essay 2: Broader ImpactsEssay 2: Broader Impacts


Emphasize your:

•How will the proposed research contribute to society?

•How will you contribute to society? (e.g., outreach, with your research)?

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Essay 2 – Essay 2 – Essay Prompt Essay Prompt and Tipsand TipsDescribe the research idea, include:your general approach, include details as known but no discipline-specific jargon unique resources that may be needed for accomplishing the research goal (i.e., access to national facilities or collections, collaborations, overseas work, etc.)

Limit citations to no more than 5; otherwise takes too much space.

Make sure to state:Objectives of the project (e.g., for research: hypothesis if quantitative or research questions if qualitative; for activity: mission)Methodology Intellectual Merit: How will research further the knowledge in your field? Skills to be gained/lessons learned? Broader Impacts: How will research or activity benefit society? How do you plan to engage society (K-12, UG, public) in your research?

Remember the IM and BI should support how you will become a globally engaged knowledge expert and leader who can contribute significantly to research, education, and innovations in science and engineering.

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Reference LettersReference Letters

Three reference letters must be submitted electronically by the reference writers by the reference letter deadline, November 14, 8 p.m. EST

If three reference letters are not received by the reference letter deadline and time, the application will be returned without review.

Applicants can list up to 5 potential references, but then must select the final three.

Reference Letters:

Submitted through the FastLane GRFP Application Module

Limited to 2 pages

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Limited to 2 pages.

Use letterhead and include the following information: • Name• Title of reference writer• Department• Institution or organization.

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Include details explaining:

the nature of the relationship to the applicant;

the applicant's potential for contributing to a globally-engaged United States science and engineering workforce;

statements about the applicant's academic potential and prior research experiences;

statements about the applicant's proposed research; and

How the applicant meets the NSF Merit Review Criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts

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Reference Letters - tipsReference Letters - tips Indicate his or her department and institution, and how long they have known

you, and in what capacity. On the basis of knowledge of your past and current research experience and

activities, comment on your potential to do the following:• Succeed in graduate school Conduct original research • Communicate effectively Work cooperatively• Make unique contributions to your chosen discipline and to society in

general. If he or she has known or supervised other NSF Graduate Research Fellows,

compare you with them. Otherwise, compare you to other successful graduate students or senior undergraduates that he or she has known in their institution or through interactions with other institutions.

Comment on the broader impacts of supporting you, including your leadership potential in the chosen field of graduate work and in general, as a member of the scientific and technical community.

Note that the more specific (as opposed to generic) a letter the referee can provide, the better.

If the referee is your research supervisor, the referee should comment on the originality of your proposal, and communicate what role he or she played in assisting you with the proposal.

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Reference Letters Reference Letters NSF Merit Review Criteria of Intellectual Merit

Intellectual Merit: encompasses the potential to advance knowledge

What is the potential for the proposed activity to:

• Advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields (Intellectual Merit); and

To what extent do the proposed activities suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?

Is the plan for carrying out the proposed activities well-reasoned, well-organized, and based on a sound rationale? Does the plan incorporate a mechanism to assess success?

How well qualified is the individual, team, or organization to conduct the proposed activities?

Are there adequate resources available to the PI (either at the home organization or through collaborations) to carry out the proposed activities?

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Reference Letters Reference Letters NSF Merit Review Criteria of Broader Impacts

Broader Impacts: encompasses the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes.

Broader impacts may be accomplished through (1) the research itself, (2) activities that are directly related to specific research projects, or (3) activities that are supported by, but are complementary to, the project.

NSF values the advancement of scientific knowledge and activities that contribute to achievement of societally relevant outcomes, including , but not limited to:

• full participation of women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM);

• improved STEM education and educator development at any level; • increased public scientific literacy and public engagement with science and

technology; • improved well-being of individuals in society; • development of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce; • increased partnerships between academia, industry, and others; • improved national security; • increased economic competitiveness of the US; and • enhanced infrastructure for research and education.

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Other Science-Related Fellowship OpportunitiesOther Science-Related Fellowship Opportunities

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Are you a woman?-committed to helping girls/women AAUW-1st yr G in computer science, EE or math Microsoft Research Grad. Women’s

Interested in Department of Defense-related areas?-US citizen NDSEG-willing to do DoD internship SMART

Working with a National Lab (Lawrence Livermore, Los Alamos, NSA, Sandia?-willing to do internship Natl Phys. Science Consort.

Interested in DOE-related area? DOE Graduate Fellowship DOE Computer Graduate

Interested in National Security?-willing to do internship Dept. Homeland Security-want to travel & brush up on language Boren (NSEP)

Interested in EPA fields? EPA STAR Ohio EPA

Other STEM Fellowship OpportunitiesOther STEM Fellowship Opportunities

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Interested in studying abroad?- Bioengineering major Whitaker International Award- want to study in Germany? DAAD

Interested in teaching at a University?- committed to promoting diversity Ford

Exceptionally intelligent/creative?- US citizen Hertz

2nd or 3rd year G in Computer Science, EE or math? Microsoft Research PhD

Interested in space?- Master’s or PhD NASA Grad Research program- Attending university in Ohio? Ohio Space Consortium

Internal Award OpportunitiesInternal Award Opportunitieswww.ohio.edu/research/funding.cfm www.ohio.edu/research/funding.cfm

Provost Undergraduate Research Fund ($1,500)Applications due at 5:00pm Sept. 27, 2013http://www.honors.ohio.edu/documents/PURF%20APPLICATION%20FORM%202011-12.pdf

Student Enhancement Award ($6,000)Applications due Jan. 23, 2014http://www.ohio.edu/research/sea.cfm

Graduate Student Senate Awardshttp://www.ohio.edu/gss/grants/index.cfmOriginal Work Grants ($750), applications due: Fall Semester: 5:00 pm, September 23, 2013Spring Semester: 5:00 pm, Feb. 10, 2013

Travel Grants ($500, selected by lottery), applications due: Fall Semester: 5:00 pm, September 20, 2013Spring Semester: 5:00 pm, Feb. 7, 2014

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nsf grfp fellowship workshop

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