Okay.
We're just gonna give it one moment. We're gonna record this session.
Alright, welcome to the, division of biological infrastructure virtual office hours. We're gonna introduce ourselves really quickly and then get going on the presentation.
So my name is Joel Abraham. I'm a rotating, program director here in the division of biological infrastructure.
The programs I work on tend to be in biology and education space as well as the post doctoral research.
Program and so I'm gonna pass it on to Dan Marinda. Okay.
Hi everybody. My name is Dan Miranda. I'm a permanent program officer here in the Division of Biological Infrastructure.
And I'm currently working in what's called the Safari Cluster, which is centers, facilities and institutes where I work on the biology integration institutes and the new synthesis center proposals for iOS division.
Thank you, Dan. And Reed.
Happy to be here.
Hi, good afternoon, everyone. It's a pleasure to be here with you. I am in also in the division of biological infrastructure in our research resources.
And I'm a permanent program officer.
Great, Jennifer.
Oh, that was a hangar on. Sorry. Hi, welcome everybody. Thank you for joining us on a very hot day here in DC.
Okay.
I am also a permanent program officer in research resources with Reed. I like to be around to hear questions and answer them and also to just let you know if you have questions about further up to scale and career awards in mid-career advancement.
I manage those. So I'm always happy to take questions from anybody. Thanks.
Great. And Sally.
Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for coming. Sally O'connor. I'm a program officer in the division of biological infrastructure.
I used to manage the RU sites program. And I am the graduate research fellowship program GRFP.
Person for bio. Thank you.
Hey, thanks, Sally. And we have 2 guests today who are gonna be presenting on the graduate research fellowship program.
So we have John on.
Hi, I'm Sean. I'm the program made for GRFP. I'm a per-minute program officer in the division of graduate education.
And I'm a neuroscientist by trading.
And my name is Joel Shelblock. I'm a rotator, a rotating, program director working with the graduate research fellowship program.
Actually on leave from Hopkins and not so long ago I was actually running one of the RU sites that my Good friend, Dr.
O'connor was the program director for and made such, she made such a favorable impression.
Here I am.
Okay, well I'm bookinged by Jules. So here we go. So briefly before I pass it over to my colleagues, I just wanted to remind everybody that, you know, please feel free to sign up for, news on.
Different programs and opportunities and updates. From the biological sciences directory here. So if you go to NSF.
Gov and scroll down you'll see a sign up button and so different social media banners and you can actually sign up and be automatically notified about different types of updates that we have.
That might be of interest to the community. We also encourage you to take a look at the blogs and so the, front office of the bio directorate as well as each of the divisions, manages a blog and of course many of you probably found this virtual office hours through that blog but know that each of the different divisions is running their own and oftentimes they have not just information on funding
opportunities. But other relevant information. That you might be of interest, for developing proposals.
And finally, just as a reminder, this is not the only virtual office hours. And so oftentimes we'll present things that are relevant to our division, but also to our community in general.
And the same is true for the division of environmental biology, the division of integrated organismal systems, and the division of molecular and cellular biosciences.
And so the times and dates that those virtual hours offs Okay. Posted or run rather is listed there.
And we will be continuing to update our own virtual office hours series in this coming fall. So we encourage you to take a look at the blog and keep.
Keep connected. Okay, at this point I'm gonna go ahead and pass it over to my colleagues to present on the GRFP.
Well, thank you very much. So my colleague, Dr. H and I would like to describe to you the graduate research fellowship program.
If after. This presentation, you have any questions that haven't been answered or you're looking for more information.
Either for you as an applicant or as a reference writer. Or potentially a reviewer, you can go to NSFGRFP.
Dot org. That is a site that we have that's devoted to the Graduate Research Fellowship program and providing a lot of really valuable information.
Okay, next slide.
So we're located in the. Directorate for STEM education, specifically the Division of Graduate Education.
And as I mentioned, we've got a couple of great resources. One of those being the NSF grfp.org.
Website. We also have one that's within the NSF. world@nsf.gov slash GRFP and if those sites Leave you with unanswered questions while we've got the info at NSFGRFP.
Dot org.
Email address you can shoot questions there to get answers about against applications or serving as a reviewer or writing a reference letter.
Okay, next slide.
So just briefly to take through what we're going to address today. We're going to give you some general information about the program and then get into a bit more detailed description of it.
Then describe eligibility for applicants and also degree programs. That are ineligible. Or areas of study that we don't support.
And then we'll finish it up with a description of the application package and then importantly the review criteria because if you're writing an application you want to know what reviewers are looking for.
Okay, next slide.
So in the Graduate Research Fellowship program, we have a couple of goals. Now this is a fellowship program that is intended to recruit individuals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics or STEM fields that would also include STEM education.
And these goals are more specifically to select, recognize, and financially support individuals who have demolished the potential.
To be high achieving scientists and engineers early in their career. And I emphasize potential and early. Because The applicants are going to be.
Senior undergraduates or people who are very early on in their graduate careers. And another goal is to broaden participation of the full spectrum of diverse talent that society has to offer.
Which would include underrepresented and underserved communities. Okay, next slide.
So we like to show this infographic and in part because it helps us tick through some important points about the program.
The GRFP has been around since 1,952 almost to the very beginnings of the national science foundation.
And in the time since over 70,000 fellowships have been awarded. We'd like to think that it's a good indication.
And has a good record of identifying talent because over 40 fellows have gone on to become an Nobel laureates and over 450 have become members of the National Academy of Sciences.
Now, great. That's all wonderful. But if you're an applicant, you might be wondering, what, what the finances look like.
So. There is a five-year fellowship period for fellows. And within that, there are 3 years of financial support.
And that financial support includes a 30,000 $37,000 annual stipend. That will go to the fellow.
And there's a $16,000 cost of education allowance. That goes to the institution. And the important thing to know about that is that the cost of education allowance.
Is in lieu of tuition and fees. So the fellows are not responsible in those 3 years for the difference between this cost of education allowance and say tuition.
It's not. Easy to win one of these things. So every year we have over 12,000 applicants and.
Will offer 2,000 or above fellowships. But if you do get it, one of the advantages is that there is no postgraduate study service requirement, meaning.
You're not required to, for example, work for the government afterwards. This is money to support your graduate education.
It's open to individuals pursuing research based masters and doctoral degrees. And Just, to point out over the lower right hand corner, you've got the eligible major fields of study and they're what you would expect, you know, chemistry, engineering, and so on.
But let me point out that it also includes psychology. And social sciences, you know, economics, political science.
And STEM education and learning research. Alright, next slide.
So again. You get in this 5 year fellowship period. 3 years of support.
And, that would be $37,000 in stipend. $16,000 educational allowance going to the institution.
Another important thing is that if you are a fellow, that means that you are eligible for other. NSF opportunities.
These would include participating in intern, which is a supplementary funding program that supports our fellows as they.
Intern at non-academic post sites. And then there there's the facet program that's to provide individuals with disabilities with some support.
Equipment, things of that nature. There's also the career life balance initiative, which helps provide support.
To say a fellow who has to take time off. For example, to. Engage in some familiar care.
Okay, next slide.
So there are a few things that you should keep front of mind. So one of these is that this is a fellowship and it's awarded to the individual.
Now the payment and the details the oversight that's through the graduate institution. But it is an award to the individual.
And. That means that.
It is. Up to the fellow in coordination with their graduate program and their advisor to choose their own project.
So NSF doesn't tell you what project to pursue, what advisor to pursue, or which particular, institution.
Institutions graduate program to enter. As I mentioned, it's unrestricted. There's no service requirement after you complete.
The fellowship period and its portable. So. For what ever reason, if you, with authorization from MSF, because you would have to seek that out.
But if you would like to transfer. To a different. It's institution of higher education.
You can do that and the fellowship would go with you. So as long as you stay with an accredited non-profit US institution.
And you stay within a research-based masters and doctoral degree program. That that fellowship, is portable.
Okay, next slide.
Okay. So I will point out that we actually have a brand new solicitation. And we don't have the number up here, but if you go searching to go to your favorite search engine, plugin.
And that's an, GRFP and solicitation and look for the solicitation that starts with a 2 4.
You will find the latest one and that will have, updates on. Deadlines and things of this nature.
So please seek it out. The solicitation if you don't know is sort of the rules of the road.
So this is how you apply. How an application is assessed things of this nature. So it's very important.
I to become familiar with that.
So as far as eligibility goes, you would need to be a US citizen, national or permanent resident.
You would need to be early in your career and we'll go over that in a second. You would need to be pursuing a research based masters or doctoral degree program.
So there's no professional degrees, no MDs. No MBAs.
The areas supported the fields would be those in STEM or STEM education. And this does require full-time enrollment in a graduate degree program at, again, an accredited nonprofit US Institution of Higher Learning.
Unfortunately, it's you would not be allowed to take a fellowship to a institution of higher education in another country.
Now about the eligibility and being. Early on in your. Graduate career.
So we We categorize. Applicants according to level.
So our level ones, those would be students who have not yet finished. Their undergraduate studies, but would in time to join a graduate program.
The fall after they apply. And they have no. No graduate study. At times of application.
Then we've got level 2, which are those who have just started. A, graduate program.
At the time of application and level three's those have been in a graduate program but have not completed more than one full academic year.
Okay. Now level 2 and level 3. They only get one chance to apply.
So as a graduate student. There's only one chance to apply and that has to be before you complete more than.
One, more than one full year of graduate study. Then we have level 4 is those who have taken some time off and are returning to the graduate studies.
Okay. Before I move on, so I mentioned about level twos and level threes. So if you're in your graduate studies, you only get one chance to apply.
When you're at level one, so if you are about to. You will receive your bachelor's degree or you're between bachelors, you know, receiving your bachelor's degree and starting graduate study.
Anytime you're in that period, you can apply once per year. Until. You actually Start your graduate education.
So next slide.
Okay, let's talk about, some degree programs. We talked broadly about STEM. Being allowed, but there are definitely degree programs that are just off the table.
So professional degree programs, so as I mentioned, no MD programs, no MBAs. Law schools out, that school's out.
And anything that's hyphenated. So MDPHD would not be allowed JDPHD, things of that nature.
Anything that involves community, global or public health. So MPH programs. Not allowed social work programs, MSW programs, not supported by the GRFP.
Most education programs except for STEM education. Would not be allowed and most humanities programs except for history of science.
Would not be a lot. Okay, next slide.
Now within STEM there are areas that are not allowed. In terms of. Research.
So things that have to do with diagnosis of treatment of disease, animal models of disease, epidemiology, disease prevention, clinical research, patient-oriented research.
Things of that nature that that have directly health-related goals. Not allowed except for certain areas of computer science, math, physics, engineering, you need to take a look at the solicitation.
Very carefully before you start writing your research. And then anything, that involves outcomes research.
So. Treatments, interventions. Research that leads directly to clinical trials, things of that nature.
Not supported. Any applied research on plant pathology isn't supported. And anything that's intended to work on impacts.
On food safety not allowed.
Absolutely what you want to do if you if you're uncertain about. This and what you want to propose to do.
Take a look at that solicitation. And you know, way it very carefully talk to your advisors and make sure that what you're about to propose if you're going to be eligible.
For, support. Okay, next line.
Okay, let's talk about the application. So the complete application. Going to involve several parts.
Now the 1st of these you'll go if you're interested in doing this you'll go to research.
Gov and you'll create an account if you don't have one yet And you start your application and the 1st thing you're going to find is a form.
And it's going to look like all those forms that you filled out when you're applying for, you know, some sort of educational program.
So you input your personal information, your education, research experience. Proposed major field of study in in graduate school and that's very important that you get that selection right because that is what's guiding.
The, review of your application.
Then you list honors awards, publications, whatnot. All pretty standard. Then there are 2.
Statements that you're going to have to write and these are going to take the bulk of the time.
So the 1st of these goes by the official title, the personal relevant background and future goals statement. Which I'll refer to as the personal statement.
And there is the graduate research statement.
We'll get to a more detailed description of these here. Then you're also going to need to submit transcripts.
Of every degree granting program that you've been formally enrolled in. And then you're going to.
Provide names and email addresses for those who are going to provide letters of reference.
Next slide.
Okay. So. I believe these have been updated since it says, 2024. So.
1st thing that you need to realize is that broadly speaking Those applications are due in mid October.
But as you can see here from this slide. The particular day that they are due. Is based upon the field of study that you're proposing.
So it starts off with the computer scientists and social sciences and whatnot. They start off on the Monday of that week.
It proceeds through the week and then on Friday, the chemists, the geoscientists, the math people, that's when their applications are too.
We end yet again. I've got to tell you, look at the solicitation. It's got detailed application instructions and requirements.
And make sure you understand those. As you get ready to apply. One thing though, if for whatever reason.
You require accessibility accommodations. Please send an in, an email to info at GRFP. Sorry, excuse me.
Take it back. info@andsfgrfp.org. At least 4 weeks before the application deadline.
Letting them know. What a accommodations you would need. So that they.
Have sufficient time to work that out, work with you on what the necessary accommodations. Okay. Next slide.
Okay, as I mentioned, applications are due mid October. And the rest of the timeline goes a little like this.
So right around the time of application. The reference letters are due, the precise state is going to be noted in the solicitation.
Make sure you read that and understand them. Okay, the next thing up is if you're at level one.
You need to make sure to apply to graduate schools because one of the requirements for accepting the fellowship is that you can enter a graduate program.
In the fall of the year that you've been offered the fellowship. Okay, you don't wanna be scrambling to try to get into a grad program if you've been offered one of these fellowships.
The fellowship offers go out late March or early April. And then the perspective fellows. Have a few weeks to decide whether or not they're going to accept the award and then.
Work. With their graduate program to figure out. When which years they might be they might be, actually.
Taking the stipend support. And then the fellow spear will begin. In that September.
Okay, next slide.
Okay, let's take a little into the 2 statements that are required as part of the application. Now we're gonna start with a personal statement.
Next slide.
Okay. The personal statement. You've got 3 pages. And this is your opportunity to tell your story.
And what you're trying to do is you're trying to convince the reviewers that you've got real potential.
For a career in staff. Okay, so you will detail your experiences. You're talking professional and personal.
Those that contributed contributed to your motivation and your preparation for pursuing a STEM career. Why? Are you willing to subject yourself to?
Years of graduate study. What got that fire burning in you? So what are your career aspirations and your future goals?
You know. What have you done that suggests that you're really good for this and you've got the passion for it?
And then, you know, just general professional experience. So. For any research that you've engaged in, what was the project, what was your role, how did you become involved, what were you doing?
And it's always important in these. Statements to let the reviewer know why. Was the project worth doing.
You know, lousy projects take up as much time as really great projects. So why were you doing it?
Why was it important? And if you can. Fit the, you know, the particular work that you were doing into the larger.
Project, that's always good to convey that you have an idea of communicating science on these different, you know, levels, different scopes.
Next slide.
Now separately, there is a 2 page research statement that you're going to write and submit. Now, what is important to understand about this is that this is not like a regular research proposal.
So normally in a research proposal, of the principal investigator would say I'm going to do the following experiments and this is how.
And then if funding is awarded, that person would be expected to carry out that research. The difference here is that the research statement is meant for you to sort of show off.
You know, how would you Identify an important problem. And how would you attack it? Now you only have 2 pages.
Right? So you need to fit in some level of detail to explain your research plan and methods and demonstrate you know what you're talking about, but you can't go into, you know, crazy levels of detail.
So. You'll focus on, you know, what you're expected to learn, how will you know if the project is successful, and maybe point in, you know, toward future.
Experimentation with a future direction. It's important in the research statement. You got to keep in mind basic scientific communication.
You want to avoid jargon. You want to make your contributions clear and you want to communicate clearly for non-specialists.
Now you might be thinking, why am I communicating to non-specialists? I thought experts were going to review my application.
Yes, the panels that do the reviews are, you know, some great people.
You know, more advanced stages of their careers. Got a lot of expertise on these panels, but they may not be an expert in the precise thing you're proposing.
So you wanna make sure that you don't get overlay involved with your acronyms like NSF does.
And you want to make sure that everybody understands, you know, what you're getting at. And.
While I'm here on this slide, my advice to this generally is. Get your friends to read it.
If they can follow the logic, you're in good shape. Okay, next slide.
Now.
In both. The personal statement and the research plan. You have to address the merit criteria that NSF uses.
Merit review criteria. We're gonna talk about them in a second. But it is very important.
For you to make sure that in both your personal statement and in your research plan you have separate sections. So they in both these statements they need to have one section that is labeled with a header, intellectual merit.
And you know it's got some amount of text behind it or under it. That outlines what you see as the intellectual merit of what you're proposing.
And then as separate section. With a header, broader impacts, and has text underneath it. Letting the reader and reviewer know what the broader impacts of the work.
Of the application would be. Our advice here is go to. And sfgrfp.org and download the template there.
For these 2 statements. If you do that and don't. Headed out stuff randomly, you should be fine.
You should have the right type you should have the right size and you should have these sections in place absolutely important you don't want your application to be knock down because of it missing a section here.
Next slide.
Okay, just word about reference letters and transcripts.
You need reference letters. In order for your application to be accepted, you need to list at least 3 letter writers.
And in order for your application to go to review, 2, at least 2 letters have to come in.
To be associated with your application. So to try to hedge your bets. And make sure that you don't get your application ruled and eligible for lack of having letters.
We allow you to do the following. You can list up to 5. Reference writers, names and email addresses.
And then.
3 of those if more than 3 are received, 3 of those will be pulled into the application. So how how does the decision work about which letters are included?
If there are more than 3. Well, you will list your reference writers in the order that you think the letters will.
Benefit your application. So if there's somebody who knows you really well, you would want them toward the top.
Maybe not. They don't know you so well. Maybe down toward the bottom, but The system is set up so that for the application that goes to the reviewers, the system will pull out the top 3.
Reference letters that come in.
Okay, about transcripts. You all applications must have a transcript from a bachelor's degree program.
But just realize that if you've switched into institutions, we're going to need a transcript from all the places where you were.
Enrolled in a degree granting program. And then if you're. Applying while a graduate student, we need transcripts.
From the graduate institution as well. If you're early on, it may. Not there may be very little informational content.
But we still need that because it is confirmation that you're enrolled. In the school.
Okay, next slide.
Okay, and then quickly hear the review criteria. Next slide. So as I mentioned, there are 2 merit review criteria.
Used by the National Science Foundation. So the 1st of these is intellectual merit. And for all grants to come in the question that the reviewers are asked to consider is how important is the proposed activity to advancing knowledge within its own field or across different fields.
For broader impacts. How well does the proposed activity benefit society or advanced desired societal outcomes? Now, that's for all applications.
We're all grant proposals to come in. When we're considering the graduate research fellowship program, a fellowship.
The proposed activity is funding this graduate student applicants or this graduates, the applicant's graduate education.
There we go. Only took me 6 tries. Okay, next slide.
So reviewers are asked to look for demonstrated potential. For significant achievement in STEM. So it's not about you know, the grand accomplishments that you have to this point, but what have you done that suggests that you're going to do good work?
We asked them to take a comprehensive holistic approach to the review and, you know, I just mentioned there are several components the application and the reviewers are asked to give balanced consideration to all of those bits.
Next slide.
So, as far as intellectual merit goes, what's evidence of that? Well, you know, that your transcripts are there, so you've got your coursework, your grades, but also What sort of research have you done?
Are there any presentations that have come out of it or publications? In your research statement.
Does it look like you could come? Plan and conduct research. Work with the team or independently.
Take initiative, things that nature. And does your plan? You know, the, Overall arc here of your education and then your career plans.
Does that all make sense? Does it all seem well plotted?
Now the reviewers are asked to look for evidence of intellectual merit in all parts of the application. So they're going to be looking through everything.
Both of the statements, letters, transcripts. Things of that nature. Next slide.
For broader impacts. It's societal benefits. They can include, but they're not limited to, you know, asking themselves, would funding this applicant's increased participation of the full spectrum of diverse talent and synthes.
Has the applicant engaged in mentoring say, you know, the next. The next through to come through a lab if that's where the research is being done.
Have they mentored people there? Or gone into schools to help improve STEM education. Done things to increase scientific literacy.
Things of this nature. This is going to be unique. And the advantage here is that you are able to draft this and the way that you see fit.
So it's gonna be different for everybody. You just need to get across Why it would benefit society to fund your graduate education.
Okay, next slide.
And. If there's anybody here who already has a PhD. And, is mentoring students as they apply?
To GRFP, the best way to understand. How to mentor and how to encourage. And.
How to guide them to preparing the best possible application is if you actually volunteer to be a reviewer. So.
As I mentioned, there's a section@nsfgrfp.org that is specifically for reviewers.
There you can apply to be a reviewer. Get an idea of what's involved.
And, It's a it's a great learning experience. Okay, next slide.
And one last thing before I go. Okay. So we're rolling out a new program. And this would, we actually, GRFP is not doing this.
Okay. But NSF. Is and and in particular certain directors are helping fund this initiative.
This would be, so if you. Apply and you don't quite get the Get an offer of a fellowship, but you do.
Get a.
An honorable mention. There will be a second opportunity at a fellowship. And this is going by the the name of the NSF Export Graduate Fellowship Program.
There are. Institutions from certain states are going to be invited. Are eligible rather to apply for this and they will be successful in So,'ll.
Have a certain number of fellowships to award to students attending their. Their institution and these would be Again, students who applied for the GRFP and received an honorable mention.
So, there's gonna be more information that's coming out, but, if you are
If you are in that position, then realize you will be able to. Go to this website, the e-tap website.
Register and get more information there again. This is after you apply. Your application has been reviewed, but you get an honorable mention.
Instead of a fellowship offer. There's an additional opportunity to get. Fellowship support.
Okay, next slide.
Thank you for sticking with me for. 35 min or whatever me talking. Again, we've got the
Sites here and the different sections of that NSF grfp.org site.
If you again have additional questions. There's the email address info at Nsfgrp.
And we've got a couple of phone numbers. Down there. Where you can get some direct.
Correct help on a phone line. And with that, I think I'm going to.
Be quiet and turn it over to my colleagues.
Great. As a reminder, if you need to reach NSF by a program directors, here's our contact information.
And I believe somebody might have asked this question, but we, eventually we'll be posting these slides and recording of the presentation.
On the DBI blog. So now, we're gonna jump into questions. I know many of them are already answered, in written answers.
And so please take a look at those. Otherwise, Dan, I'm gonna pass it to you.
Thank you, Joel. We do have a lot of questions. Have already been answered. And, John, we've got a couple that you're ready to answer live.
So this 1st one, is for you for applying as a second year graduate student. Does starting graduate studies in the fall the year prior disqualify the applicant this level 3.
No, as long as it is actually. No more than one academic year. So if you started in September of 2,023 Okay, so you're in your summer semester and by the time the application deadline rolls around in October.
You will have completed one year and you're in your second year. You're still eligible. However, if you started in June, Okay, June or May?
Your graduate degree program and that's what it says on your transcript. You will have completed more than one full academic year.
And you will not be eligible.
Thank you. That is a bit of a confusing. Aspect of TFP.
Yes. I know. We know. Where's our Yes, so sorry about that.
It's just and we do get a lot of queries about that because and I know it's really really convoluted language it's because every time somebody we write something That's why, you know.
Like legislative bills are like it's the size of what used to be a phone book but they don't exist anymore so nobody knows what they are anyway so it's just We want to make so look at your transcript.
One academic year. No more than one academic year. That can be 4 quarters, you know 3 semesters, but if you started your degree program in the summer of the previous year so you're actually in your your second summer semester by the fall you'll have an additional semester and you will not be eligible.
Great. Thank you for that. Next question. In terms of reviewing applications.
Are there different quotas or standards or levels of critique used for level 1, 2, 3, and 4 applicants?
Actually, we just give the reviewers the same language that's in the solicitation and then if you if anybody's there who wants to be a reviewer and you can sign up we have lots of training sessions So what we're looking for is potential potential and GRFP has severe FOMO.
We are really worried about missing out on people. So we want people to apply, but you have to be eligible.
And so we asked the reviewers to look for potential. You know, look throughout the entire application. It's long, we know.
Look through the transcripts Lucy your your description what you your personal statements The letters, the letters are very helpful to reviewers because some of you know the applicants, some of the Africans are just going on in their life, they're doing, you know, they're just being awesome.
And they don't know that they're awesome. But the reference letter writers do. And so they can make comments about that.
So we just asked them. Now the reviewers for the most part as most programs at NSF, the reviewers are most most of them are faculty at other places.
And so they have experience. Working with students and so their going to have most likely different expectations of students who have a year of bad school under their belt as opposed to somebody who's still a senior.
So that's so you have to keep that in mind.
Right, thank you. The next 2 questions are, I think, kind of similar. So the 1st question says, I applied this past cycle and received an honorable mention.
Is there anything further I can do other than applying again this year with similar materials and the question right after that says is the recent 2024 honorable mentioned recipient eligible for the upcoming NSF.
So the 1st question, this is. This is the question that comes to all. Applicants to NSF.
And most of us started out as applicants. Do NSF or reviewers and then suddenly here we are at MSN.
Anyway. So you should really address the reviews or read the reviews and try to improve if possible. If you are you are an undergraduate and you're applying as a graduate student remember if you already applied as a graduate student including from while you were pursuing a joint master's, a bachelor's master's program, that's a graduate application and you will not be able to apply again.
So. So, you know, think what you've done that's that's.
Different how you improved if there's some areas where a reviewer said you know we ask your strengths and weaknesses you can address the weaknesses That's probably as much as you can do.
If you are proposed some of that projects or the activities that your research activity that you're proposing might not be eligible.
If your application gets returned because it's not eligible It's going to be probably not eligible again.
It's basically research. So please look at the detailed eligibility requirements, the ineligible areas of study and eligible degrees.
And then look at the exceptions. Look at the exceptions.
Thank you. Next question. Yes, go ahead.
Oh, the second one, the reason, 24, the honorable mentioned recipients. So in that program, which is a program in which a university applies to NSF to get a grant and then they will offer the fellowships.
You will not be applying directly to NSF to get one of these. Episcord graduate fellowships nor will you be applying to GRFP.
The institutions have to have them and I believe the program is going to allow prior honorable mention recipients.
Make up to a few, a couple of years. To apply at those institutions. And no, then the institutions make the offers.
Right. And where would the best place be to get information on? Would that just be the program page?
So yeah.
Keep an eye on the program page.
It would be, and I, if I can put that into, there's a chat that we can put the link into.
That's a really great resource because it had lists a lot of other programs that students and other people might be eligible for. You can.
So E-tab. I don't know if it's been included in there because.
The program was just announced just announced that means proposals haven't been submitted and remember the institutions have to apply then they have to get awards and we're hoping of course that there will be Similar timeline for announcement of what institutions will be getting those.
Application or honorable, fellowships and honorable mention announcements are usually made in late March, early April, we're trying to get it to late earlier in March, but sometimes it just doesn't happen.
So once those are inounced, then they would be able to make those those fellowships available.
So it's ETAP education and training, as I can't remember. Sorry. Thanks.
Okay.
Thank you for that question. Alright, next up we have, can the GRFP support 6 months or a year of post master's work.
Data work and manuscript preparation with my master's advisor. If I'm continuing out to a PhD elsewhere.
Or could I accept the fellowship but wait to take support until fully enrolled in the PhD program?
Please look at the JFP solicitation, the detailed eligibility. If you have more than a year of graduate work, you're not eligible to apply at all.
It is a fellowship program. You're not eligible to apply at all. It is a fellowship program that to apply at all.
It is a fellowship program that only provides a stipend and tuition to the university. For an individual's graduate education.
So.
Oh, great.
Thank you for that. And. Joel just put, the e-tap, website in the chat so everyone should be able to see that.
Next question. Is back to the master's degree eligibility and the participants asking can can we go over what makes you ineligible If you have a master's degree, specifically a master's degree, that would be ineligible.
I think that they're asking what what makes you ineligible if you have a master's degree?
If you have a master's degree already. And you want to apply. You cannot already be enrolled in a doctoral program.
Number one and you have to be 2 years past your master's degree award So you got the master's degree.
2 years ago and you decided you know you wanted to work and then you decide now you want to get a doctoral you want to get a doctorate that's great but you can't have already applied to an enrolled in a doctoral program.
So if you are a masters degree folder, you have to be 2 years past. The award of the master's degree of any kind, regardless of what kind it was, you had an MPH, whatever, and PA, whatever.
2 years passed. You can't be enrolled in a doctoral program. So you're unenrolled.
You're not an at you're actually returning but you haven't returned to graduate school yet.
Great. Thank you. Next is a perhaps a difficult question to answer. And the participants asking what separates an honorable mention from someone who receives the award.
What does what extra does and an honorable mention need to become a recipient. I guess they're asking what What's what's the magical special sauce that gets you from honorable mention to award?
Well, I guess that would be the question that every single submitter to NSF wants to know.
That's
Because most of us have what what more strikeouts than hits right So I will say.
You know, it depends on what it depends on a lot and a lot of it depends on the reviewer.
And, it's not. A formula or there's not like a you know a checkbox or rubric or whatever it's not we ask our reviewers to bring the full.
Panoply of their experience and expertise in working with students and in their fields. To, determine whether they think that.
The applicant has the potential to make a significant contribution to their field. This is not an easy thing to do.
We know this, they complain about it all the time. And I understand because I used to review of course.
I used to review and Fellowship. Fellowship reviews are very, very difficult. People are really great.
They're outstanding and then sometimes there's something buried in an application that you think. Applicant make a more bigger deal of this? Why not?
Because it was a big deal. But So it's, one thing I would say, and this would something I'd say to, EVEN, any applicant in any program is.
Don't make it hard for your reviewer to find the important stuff. Make it easy. For them to see.
And don't bury it. And that really helps because of course they're not going to be reviewing just a handful of these, right?
NSF asks not only a lot of its PIs and its applicants, but it asks a lot of its reviewers as well.
So make it easy for the reviewers to see how great you are. Your contributions. Your reference writers can say this person made a key contribution and it was all there idea but make it easier for them to see how great it.
How great your contribution and you are as an applicant.
You're one. Could I have something?
Thank you for that. Next up, Yeah, yeah, Sally.
Alright.
In addition to all the gentlemen said, which is the primary. Criteria. There are times when the budget doesn't allow more applications to be awarded.
And therefore you end up in honorable mention. Honorable mentioned it's a great honor. And that's why we instituted this EGF.
I just want to mention that because this year we had a cut in the budget.
Thank you.
Yes, we did. It was. Very, very, very painful. Last year we were able to offer 2,500 and this year.
We were not. So.
Yeah, it's a critically important thing to keep in mind. Throughout. The your entire career if you're interacting with any federal agency at any career stage.
Next question is, if I took graduate credit class during my undergraduate degree but did not stay for the master's degree, and only received my B.
And now in my 1st year of a PhD at a different institution. Am I still eligible?
So if you didn't stay for the master's degree, so it was like a joint degree, you should you should mention that but all all of the degrees it may be you you're still no more than one academic graduate year.
You there's a an LSFGRF. Org there's a decision tree you know you can go in.
What level am I? So you can go use the decision tree because You know, as we're talking here, you might hear me, might not.
I might come out. I might cut out. My internet might cut out. I talk to you fast.
So go to the nsfj.org site. Us the decision tree and then if you're really after doing the decision tree it's still not clear then you could email info@nsfgrp.org and ask about with the eligibility and how you might be able to make, make clear that you are eligible.
If you have no more than one academic year. A graduate study.
Hmm.
Yep. Another couple of questions about eligibility, but I'm actually, that last answer was really relevant, to these next 2 questions as well. We're running a little short on time.
I'm gonna jump to one of the questions down below and it says how are reviewers matched to applicants?
How closely familiar are the reviewers to the topic usually.
So it's kind of like a little bit like doing graduate admissions. A little bit. So they're not going to be necessarily specifically experts in your specific area, especially if you're going to be a doctoral student, you're going to be the expert.
At some point, right? So, we try to make sure that their expertise is relatively matched.
So I'm a neuroscientist most likely I would not be looking at virology.
Okay. So, you know, stuff like that. So, but to make clear, we tell the reviewers and they can add, I can't, I can't remember up to 5 areas of expertise.
We tell the reviewers and we tell you the applicants they're going to be reviewing broadly.
And we asked them to look for, you know, hints of evidence of potential in other parts of the application because like You know, you're doing something, but you happen to do something on a sign aside from your bachelor's degree for example and you did some amazing additional activity.
I'm blanking on right now. Maybe a whole bunch of broadening participation activities or you started a nonprofit that did Amazing things in your community.
Something to show that you have spark creativity, innovation, ideas, can you bring that to your research?
That would be really great because if science needs anything, it's creativity, spark in a nation.
So we ask them to look for that.
We're, thank you. And I think this will probably be the last question. If you received an honorable mention last year, is it worth mentioning in this year's application?
That's up to you. You know, I think, It's something that's nationally and it's published.
Unless you don't want to have your name. Identified as getting an honorable mention, it's published.
So, because that as you see it is a significant Achievement. This is a large program.
Our national program, a relatively low success rate. We got 14,000 applications last year.
Thank you, John. Michael Persons says hi to Sally. And I'll turn it back over to Joel.
Thank you.
Okay.
Yeah, thank you. Thank you. Well, thank you again for presenting on the GRFFP program.
And you do have the, contact information and a very informative website. And you do have the, contact information and a very informative website, forgetting more of your questions answered.
Forgetting more of your questions answered. Thank you all for joining us and, we'll try and have everything posted, for getting more of your questions answered.
Thank you all for joining us and we'll try and have everything posted, if you don't see it by then. Alright, thank you all.
Take care.
Thank you everyone.
Thank you