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Graduate
FellowshipsNSF Application
Program Overview:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowships are three-year fellowships for graduate study leading to research-based masters or doctoral degrees in the science, technology, engineering, or mathematics fields.
The purpose of the NSF is to endure the vitality of the human resource base of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the United States and to reinforce its diversity. Working towards that goal, each year the NSF awards approximately 1,000 new three-year graduate fellowships.
Fellowship Benefits:
The fellowship provides an annual $30,000 stipend and $10,500 cost-of-education allowance. Fellows are required to engage in full-time programs leading to research-based graduate degrees in disciplines supported by the NSF.
Should I Apply:
My question to you would be, “Can you be awarded an NSF award if you don’t?” The NSF fellowship is a very competitive award for first and second year graduate students. Although it is competitive, if you put the time and effort into your application you could be granted this prestigious award and not to mention a nice little stipend increase!
GRFP Eligibility at a Glance:
To be eligible for the NSF GRFP, you must:
The "no more than twelve months" limit applies to your entire post-baccalaureate career, not just your current program. If you have completed less than twelve months of your Ph.D. but have previously completed a Master's degree, you would be considered to have more than twelve months of graduate study.
For more information we encourage look through the Eligibility Guide at:
Application Material:
1. Personal Statement Essay
2. Previous Research Experience Essay
3. Proposed Plan of Research Essay
4. 3 Reference Letters
5. Academic Transcripts
6. GRE scores - recommended, but NOT required
For more detailed information about each application material please go to:
Award Criteria:
Applications will be reviewed by disciplinary and interdisciplinary panels of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. In evaluating applicants, panelists will look at:
1. What is the intellectual merit of the applicant?
The intellectual merit criterion includes intellectual ability as well as the ability to work independently and as a team member, to plan and conduct research, and to interpret and communicate the findings. The panelists will review:
· Applicant’s academic record
· Proposed plan of research
· Personal statement
· Previous research experience
· General and subject GRE scores (if available – not required but highly recommended)
· Choice of references and extent to which the letters show merit
· Appropriateness of the proposed graduate institution to the proposed plan of research
2. What are the broader impacts of supporting the individual’s graduate study?
This may include:
· Contributions to the community (social and scholarly)
· Unique characteristics of an applicants background (personal, professional and educational experiences)
· Quality of applicants personal statement
· Proposed plan of research
· Previous research experience essay
· Reference letters
When is the deadline:
The NSF deadline for chemistry is November 10th, 2009. This fellowship is open to students that will be entering graduate school or are in their first or second years of graduate school. All decisions and notifications will be made by March of the following year. Please visit their website at
Timetable for applying for an NSF Fellowship:
START EARLY!!! We recommend you begin in the summer. The more preparation and time you put into your application the better opportunity you will have to be awarded a fellowship. Review, Review, Review:
· Revise your proposed plan of research & application essays multiple times, waiting several days to re-read and rewrite
· Have your mentors, friends, and family read and critique your application essays
· Meet with your mentor or advisor to review your final research plan before you submit it
Check application completeness and receipt of supplemental materials
Tips on the web to improve your application:
http://www.stanford.edu/~pgbovine/fellowship-tips.htm
Some of this information was gathered directly from the NSF webpage. |
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