The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program provides three years of support for outstanding graduate students in science and engineering fields. The program aims to ensure the vitality and diversity of the U.S. scientific workforce. Fellowships are awarded to students early in their graduate studies who show potential for significant achievements in research. The program seeks to increase participation from groups underrepresented in science, including women and minorities. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and meet eligibility requirements regarding citizenship, degree status and field of study.

1. National Science Foundation Graduate
Research Fellowship Program
INTRODUCTION
$ Image by Andrew Magill

2. TODAY’S GOALS
- Become familiar with the NSF (organization, mission, & functions)
- Become familiar with the NSF GRFP (rules & guidelines)
- Awareness of NSF GRFP Due Dates / Deadlines
- Become familiar with NSF GRFP application components
- Begin to think about very general, basic information about grant writing and
how to get started on your application essays
- Become familiar with the basics of the NSF and NSF GRFP websites
- Think ahead to future workshops

3. WHAT IS THE NSF?
WHAT’S THE NSF ANYWAY?
“The National Science Foundation is an independent Federal agency created by the National
Science Foundation Act of 1950. The Act states that the NSF’s purpose is ‘to promote the progress
of science’ and ‘to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare by supporting research
and education in all fields of science and engineering.’”
ORGANIZATION’S GOALS: STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH
“NSF's goals--discovery, learning, research infrastructure and stewardship--provide an integrated
strategy to advance the frontiers of knowledge, cultivate a world-class, broadly inclusive science
and engineering workforce and expand the scientific literacy of all citizens, build the nation's
research capability through investments in advanced instrumentation and facilities, and support
excellence in science and engineering research and education through a capable and responsive
organization. We like to say that NSF is ‘where discoveries begin.’”
“Another essential element in NSF's mission is support for science and engineering education,
from pre-K through graduate school and beyond. The research we fund is thoroughly integrated
with education to help ensure that there will always be plenty of skilled people available to work
in new and emerging scientific, engineering and technological fields, and plenty of capable
teachers to educate the next generation.”
KEY WORDS & CONCEPTS TO USE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE IN YOUR APPLICATION:
Promote Progress of Science, Advance, National, Research, Education, Discovery, Learning,
Frontiers of Knowledge, Inclusive, Scientific Literacy, Investments, Excellence, Pre-K through
Graduate School and Beyond, Research Integrated with Education, Emerging, Capable

4. WHAT IS THE NSF GRFP?
PURPOSE OF NSF GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM:
AGAIN, STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH
“The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure
the vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce in the United States.
The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing
research-based master's and doctoral degrees in fields within NSF's mission. The GRFP
provides three years of support for the graduate education of individuals who have
demonstrated their potential for significant achievements in science and engineering
research. The ranks of NSF Fellows include numerous individuals who have made
transformative breakthroughs in science and engineering research, many who have
become leaders in their chosen careers, and some who have been honored as Nobel
laureates. A high priority for NSF and GRFP is increasing the diversity of the science and
engineering workforce, including geographic distribution and the participation of
women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.”
KEY WORDS & CONCEPTS TO USE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE IN YOUR APPLICATION:
Vitality, Outstanding Graduate Student, Demonstrated Potential, Significant
Achievements, Transformative Breakthroughs, Research, Leader, Diversity

5. WHAT IS THE NSF GRFP?:
THE NITTY-GRITTY
HOW MANY AWARDS WILL BE GIVEN OUT?
Estimate: About 2,000 new GRFP fellowships will be offered.
How much $$$?
- Anticipated Total Funding/Award Amount: $198,000,000!
- Each Fellowship consists of three years of support usable over a five- year
period. Year-long support = 12 full months.
- For each year of support, NSF provides a stipend of $30,000 to the Fellow for a
12-month period, which is prorated in whole-month increments of about $2500.
You will also receive a cost-of-education allowance of about $10,500 for the
degree-granting institution and a tuition/fee remission!
- The cost-of-education allowance goes toward the school to help pay for the
people and services that will support you throughout the year. For 2012, it is
anticipated that the cost-of-education allowance may increase to $12,000, which
is great for UCR, as a whole, and your department!

6. Citizenship:
CAN I APPLY?
- Applicants must be United States citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States
by the application deadline.
Degree Requirements:
- Timing: Fellowships are awarded to individuals in the early stages of their graduate study. Below
are general guidelines for determining eligibility according to the degree requirements criterion:
(1) Applicants are expected to have adequate preparation to begin graduate study and
research by Summer or Fall 2012-- this is nearly always demonstrated by receipt of a
bachelor's degree in a science or engineering field earned prior to Fall 2012
(2) Prior to completing the Fall term of the second year of graduate school (no more than 12
months of grad. school under your belt by 1 August 2011)
(3) Applicants who have completed part-time graduate study must have completed no more
than 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours or their equivalent as of August 1, 2011
(4) All post-baccalaureate, graduate-level study is counted toward the allowed 12 months of
completed graduate study. This includes all master's and doctoral programs
- Joint BA/Grad Program?: Applicants in joint BS/MS programs are typically eligible to apply prior to
completion of any further graduate study. In four-year joint programs, applicants may apply in the
fourth year and after completion of the program. Completion of any graduate study outside of the
joint program will disqualify an applicant. In five-year joint programs, applicants may apply in the
fourth and fifth years of the program and after completion of the program. Completion of any
further graduate study outside of the joint program will disqualify an applicant.

7. CAN I APPLY?: SPECIFIC FIELDS
Field of Study
- Fields: Fellowships are awarded for graduate study leading to research-based master's and doctoral degrees in the
fields of science and engineering supported by the National Science. An individual's proposed research and area of
study must adhere to the NSF's mission.
- Interdisciplinary: If your work or proposed project lies at the intersection of a few fields, you will need to choose
the field that most encompasses your work– which is very important, on a practical level, in terms of the due date
you submit your application. See your advisor/mentor for advice!
- Questions?: Ask your advisor or mentor if you have any questions or aren’t sure about whether or not you fit
criteria.
CHEMISTRY
Chemical Catalysis, Chemical Measurement and Imaging, Chemical Structure, Dynamics, and Mechanism, Chemical Synthesis Chemical Theory,
Models and Computational Methods, Chemistry of Life Processes, Environmental Chemical Systems, Macromolecular, Supramolecular and
Nanochemistry, Sustainable Chemistry
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (CISE)
Algorithms and Theoretical Foundations, Communication and Information Theory, Computational Science and Engineering, Computer and
Information Security, Computer Architecture Computer Systems, Networking and Embedded Systems, Databases, Data Mining and Information
Retrieval, Graphics and Visualization, Human Computer Interaction, Informatics, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Robotics and
Computer Vision, Software Systems and Software Engineering
ENGINEERING
Aeronautical and Aerospace, Bioengineering, Biomedical, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical and Electronic
Energy, Environmental, Industrial, Engineering & Operations Research, Materials, Mechanical, Nuclear, Ocean, Optical Engineering, Polymer,
Systems Engineering

8. CAN I APPLY?: SPECIFIC FIELDS
GEOSCIENCES
Atmospheric Chemistry, Aeronomy, Biogeochemistry, Biological, Oceanography, Chemical, Oceanography, Climate and Large-Scale Atmospheric,
Dynamics, Geobiology, Geochemistry, Geodynamics, Geophysics, Glaciology, Hydrology, Magnetospheric, Physics, Marine Biology, Marine Geology
and Geophysics, Paleoclimate, Paleontology and Paleobiology, Petrology, Physical and Dynamic Meteorology, Physical Oceanography, Sedimentary
Geology, Solar Physics, Tectonics
LIFE SCIENCES
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Genomics,
Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Neurosciences, Organismal Biology, Physiology, Proteomics, Structural Biology, Systematic Biology, Life Sciences
MATERIALS RESEARCH
Biomaterials ,Ceramics, Chemistry of Materials, Electronic Materials, Materials Theory ,Metallic Materials, Photonic Materials, Physics of Materials,
Polymers Materials Research
MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
Algebra, Number Theory, Combinatorics Analysis, Applied Mathematics, Biostatistics, Computational and Data-enabled Science, Computational
Mathematics, Computational Statistics, Geometric Analysis Logic, Foundations of Mathematics, Mathematical Biology, Probability Statistics,
Topology Mathematics
PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
Astronomy and Astrophysics Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Nuclear Particle Physics, Physics of Living Systems,
Plasma, Solid State, Theoretical Physics
PSYCHOLOGY
Cognitive, Cognitive Neuroscience, Computational Psychology, Developmental, Experimental, Comparative, Industrial/Organizational,
Neuropsychology, Perception and Psychophysics, Personality and Individual Differences, Physiological, Psycholinguistics, Quantitative ,Social
Psychology
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, Anthropology, Communications, Decision Making and Risk Analysis, Economics
(except Business Administration), Geography, History and Philosophy of Science, International Relations, Law and Social Science, Linguistics,
Linguistic Anthropology, Medical Anthropology, Political Science, Public Policy Science, Policy Sociology (EXCEPT Social Work), Urban and Regional
Planning
STEM EDUCATION AND LEARNING RESEARCH
Engineering Education, Mathematics Education, Science Education, Technology Education

9. YOU ARE INELIGIBLE TO APPLY IF...
CITIZENSHIP
Those who do not hold US citizenship, national, or permanent resident status by the application
deadline.
FORMER WINNERS
Those who were previously awarded a fellowship from the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Program and accepted it.
DECLINED AWARD
Those who have declined the offer of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and who did not notify
NSF by the published deadline for accepting the Fellowship.
ALREADY HAVE A GRADUATE DEGREE
Those who have earned any graduate or professional degree, except applicants who have completed a
joint BS/MS program and have not completed any further graduate study outside the joint program.
WORK FOR NSF
Current NSF employees.

10. YOU ARE INELIGIBLE TO APPLY IF...
The following programs and areas of study and research are ineligible:
- Practice-oriented professional degree programs, joint professional degree-science programs (MD/PhD and
JD/PhD), or medical, dental, law, and public health programs are not eligible. Examples of typical ineligible
degree programs include MBA, MPH, MSW, and ED.
-Clinical, counseling, business administration or management, social work, education (except in science and
engineering education in an NSF-supported discipline), or history (except in history of science) areas of study
are not supported. Clinical study that is ineligible includes patient-oriented research, epidemiological and
behavioral studies, outcomes research and health services research. For example, clinical study that is
ineligible includes investigations to provide evidence leading to a scientific basis for consideration of a change
in health policy or standard of care, and includes pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic, and behavioral
interventions for disease prevention, prophylaxis, diagnosis, or therapy. Community- and other population-
based intervention trials are also ineligible.
- Research with disease-related goals, including work on the etiology, diagnosis or treatment of physical or
mental disease, abnormality, or malfunction in human beings or animals, is normally not supported. Animal
models of such conditions or the development or testing of drugs or other procedures for their treatment
also are not eligible for support. However, research in bioengineering, with diagnosis- or treatment-related
goals, that applies engineering principles to problems in biology and medicine while advancing engineering
knowledge is eligible for support. Bioengineering research to aid persons with disabilities also is eligible.

11. EXPECTATIONS OF WINNERS:
WHAT AM I GETTING MYSELF INTO?
Enrollment
Fellows are expected to be enrolled full-time.
Progress
Fellows are expected to make “Satisfactory Progress” towards completion of their graduate degrees.
Tuition and Fees
While on Tenure, Fellows are exempt from paying required tuition and fees normally charged to graduate students
of similar academic standing.
Money
Get paid a monthly stipend. May take up to SIX weeks to process payment information and paperwork– so plan
ahead financially!
Acknowledgments
All publications, presentations, and creative works based on activities conducted during the Fellowship must
acknowledge NSF GRFP Support.
Coordination
All academic and research activities should be coordinated with the appropriate US and foreign government
authorities, and necessary licenses, permits, or approvals must be obtained prior to undertaking the proposed
activities.
Training
In response to the America Competes Act, all Fellows supported by NSF to conduct research are required to
receive appropriate training and oversight in the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research.

12. EXPECTATIONS OF WINNERS:
WHAT AM I GETTING MYSELF INTO?
WRITTEN REPORTS
All Continuing Fellows are required to submit two reports by May 1 each year (via the GRFP FastLane
Module) and an Annual Activities Report and Fellowship Year Tenure Declaration.
STICK WITH YOUR FIELD OF STUDY
Fellows are expected to enroll in the program of study proposed in their application and to follow the
course of study in that program. Minor changes (e.g., mechanical to electrical engineering) in a
Fellow’s graduate program or research may be made, subject to the approval. A major change in a
Fellow’s graduate program or research constitutes a “change in scope” — one that alters the program
to the extent that it is significantly different from that originally submitted with the Fellowship
Application (e.g., a change in primary Field of Study, such as psychology to biology). Such changes
require prior written approval.
STAY IN SCHOOL
GRFP Fellows who have not completed their five-year Fellowship Period and are completing a
master’s degree have the option of continuing their original Fellowship by enrolling in an NSF-
approved doctoral degree program. To remain a Fellow:
(1) The Fellow must be accepted into a doctoral program upon completion of the Master’s
(2) The transition period between degree programs generally may not exceed three months
(3) The Fellow must request NSF approval and complete any required actions

13. DUE DATES
14 November 2011 @ 4pm Pacific Time
Full Proposal Due: Engineering
15 November 2011 @ 4pm Pacific Time
Full Proposal Due: Mathematical Sciences, Computer and Information Sciences/Engineering,
Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, Materials Research
16 November 2011 @ 4pm Pacific Time
Full Proposal Due: Social Sciences, Psychology, Geosciences, STEM Education and Learning
18 November 2011 @ 4pm Pacific Time
Full Proposal Deadline: Life Sciences
29 November 2011 @ 4pm Pacific Time
ALL THREE Letters of Recommendation Must be Submitted by Your Letter Writers to the
FastLane GRFP Application Module
***SUBMIT EARLY TO AVOID SYSTEM DELAYS ON DEADLINE DATES***

14. APPLICATION MATERIALS
& RULES
ONE APPLICATION
You may only submit ONE application for ONE project.
SUBMIT THROUGH FASTLANE
To apply, you must you – and submit all of your application materials through– the NSF’s FastLane Graduate Research
Fellowship Program application module. (www.fastlane.nsf.gov)
SECTIONS ON FASTLANE GRFP APPLICATION—PLAN AHEAD
- Personal Profile– Basic information about yourself
- Education and Work Experience– Your educational experiences and science- and education-related work experiences
- Planned Graduate Program—Should match with your deadline and project
- Personal Statement—TWO pages, single-spaced
- Previous Research Experience—TWO pages, single-spaced
- Proposed Plan of Research—TWO pages, single-spaced
- Transcripts—Unofficial or official & only from places that have awarded you a degree
- References—Need THREE
NOTES ABOUT APPLICATION
- Applicants should not send extraneous information or materials such as CDs, manuscripts, resumes, medical reports, or
news clippings.
- Citations count within page length requirements
- Images may be included in the page limits, but will be reproduced only in black and white.
- Review of the application is based solely on materials received by the application deadline.

15. APPLICATION MATERIALS:
A CHECK-OFF LIST… GETTING SPECIFIC
COMPLETED NSF GRFP FASTLANE APPLICATION
TRANSCRIPTS (OFFICIAL OR UNOFFICIAL)
THREE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
PERSONAL STATEMENT
PREVIOUS RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
PROPOSED PLAN OF RESEARCH

16. CREATING & USING FASTLANE
CREATING AN ACCOUNT
(1) Go to www.fastlane.nsf.gov –Let’s look at this together now!
(2) Click on the “Graduate Research Fellowship Program” tab at the top
(3) Click the “Register Here” link– on the right
(4) Read and accept rules, then click “Accept”
(5) You’re ready to go! Fill out your information
(6) Save www.fastlane.nsf.gov to your computer’s “Favorites” for easy access

17. TRANSCRIPTS
- Required transcripts include academic transcripts from the baccalaureate
institution and transcripts for all completed graduate work.
- An academic transcript is required for every institution you have listed in the
application module. Academic transcripts are required for all institutions
listed by the applicant in the FastLane GRFP Application Module, excluding
Fall 2011.
- Only list—and post transcripts for—institutions that granted you a degree or
official certificate of some sort.
- If the same transcript applies to more than one listing in the “Education”
and “Work Experience” section of your application, you must upload the
same transcript for each applicable listing.
- You can get copies of your transcripts on growl.ucr.edu. You will have to
make these transcripts– and all transcripts– into electronic (pdf) files.

18. THREE REFERENCE LETTERS
REQUIREMENTS
- Must have 3 letters
- Letters must be submitted electronically—by the writers—no later than 29 November
@ 4pm
- Letters must be from non-family members
- Letters must be on letterhead and include the following information:
(1) Name and title of reference writer
(2) Department
(3) Institution or organization
- Maximum letter length: TWO pages, single-spaced
GETTING LETTERS
- Choose people who are familiar with your work and like you
- Contact potential letter writers NOW (through email, in the hall, during office hours, etc.) . Give folks
at least six weeks notice before the due date!
- Be courteous and respectful of folks’ time and energies.
- Supply letter writers with application materials, examples of previous work or work-in-progress, a CV
or resume, and any other materials you think would help them write about you and all of your
accomplishments and potentials
- Be specific with your letter writers about what you’re applying for. You may want to go over what
the NSF GRFP is and what the organization will be looking for.
- Very important: Letter writers are contacted about your request, so typing in the correct email
addresses in your FastLane application is ESSENTIAL!
- Once folks have written letters for you, thank them and give them thank you cards.

19. PERSONAL STATEMENT
WHAT’S THIS ESSAY?
- “Describe any personal, professional, or educational experiences or situations that have prepared you or
contributed to your desire to pursue advanced study in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Describe
your competencies and evidence of leadership potential. Discuss your career aspirations and how the NSF Fellowship
will enable you to achieve your goals.”
- “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. Your ideas and examples do not have to be confined
necessarily to the discipline that you have chosen to pursue. You MUST provide specific details in this essay that
address BOTH the NSF Merit Review Criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts in order for your application
to be competitive.”
- Great place to address diversity, why you and your work are special/unique, and why you stand out as a scholar,
educator, and scientist!
- Place to create a story or narrative about yourself that melds the professional with the personal. No need to air
your dirty sheets, but definitely a place to put a personal touch on your professional experiences and potentials!
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE STARTING THIS ESSAY:
- Why are you fascinated by your research area?
- What examples of leadership skills and unique characteristics do you bring to your chosen field?
- What personal and individual strengths do you have that make you a qualified applicant?
- How will receiving the fellowship contribute to your career goals?
- How does the information in your Personal Statement address the Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts criteria?

20. PREVIOUS RESEARCH
WHAT’S THIS ESSAY?
- “Describe any scientific research activities in which you have participated, such as experience in
undergraduate research programs, or research experience gained through summer or part-time
employment or in work-study programs, or other research activities, either academic or job-related.
Explain the purpose of the research and your specific role in the research, including the extent to
which you worked independently and/or as part of a team, and what you learned from your research
experience. In your statement, distinguish between undergraduate and graduate research experience.
At the end of your statement, list any publications and/or presentations made at national and/or
regional professional meetings.”
- “If you have no direct research experience, describe any activities that you believe have prepared
you to undertake research.”
-Keep in mind that “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.”
- “You MUST provide specific details in this essay that address BOTH the NSF Merit Review Criteria of
Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts in order for your application to be competitive.”
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE STARTING THIS ESSAY:
- What are all of your applicable experiences?
- For each experience, what were the key questions, methodology, findings, and conclusions?
- Did you work in a team and/or independently?
- How did you assist in the analysis of results?
- How did your activities address the Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts criteria?

21. PROPOSED PLAN OF RESEARCH
WHAT’S THIS ESSAY?
- “In a clear, concise, and original statement, present a complete plan for a research project that you plan to pursue
during the Fellowship Tenure and how you became interested in the topic. Your statement should demonstrate your
understanding of research design and methodology and explain the relationship to your previous research, if any.”
- Again, keep in mind here that “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.”
- “You MUST provide specific details in this essay that address BOTH the NSF Merit Review Criteria of Intellectual
Merit and Broader Impacts in order for your application to be competitive.”
- “In addition to review of the Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts of your proposal, research topics discussed in
your proposed plan will be used to determine eligibility.”
SPECIAL NOTES FOR RESEARCH PROPOSAL
- IN PROPOSAL: Include the title, key words, hypothesis, research plan (strategy, methodology, and controls),
anticipated results or findings, and literature citations. If you have not formulated a research plan, your statement
should include a description of a topic that interests you and how you propose to conduct research on that topic.
- ON FASTLANE SITE: In addition to submitting your proposal document, on the FastLane site, you also have to type
out in a field key words to describe the proposed research. These key words must be 50 CHARACTERS OR LESS!
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE STARTING THIS ESSAY:
- What issues in the scientific community are you most passionate about?
- Do you possess the technical knowledge and skills necessary for conducting this work, or will you have sufficient
mentoring and training to complete the study?
- Is this plan feasible for the allotted time and institutional resources?
- How will your research contribute to the "big picture" outside the academic context?
- How can you draft a plan using the guidelines presented in the essay instructions?
- How does your proposed research address the Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts criteria?

22. IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT
FORMATTING DOCUMENTS
- The essays must be written using standard 8.5" x 11" page size, 12-point, Times New
Roman font, 1" margins on all sides, and must be single-spaced or greater.
- Only references and footnotes may be a smaller font, no less than 10-point, Times New
Roman.
- The Personal Statement, Previous Research Experience, and Proposed Plan of Research
essays each have a maximum length of two pages, including all references, citations,
charts, figures, and images.
- Failure to comply fully with these requirements will eliminate the application from
consideration by review panels.

23. GET READY… AND ORGANIZED
- Familiarize yourself with important websites (notably, www.fastlane.nsf.gov).
- Choose your appropriate field of study so that you know your deadline. If your
research is interdisciplinary, choose the first– and most comprehensive– field
your work fits into. If you have questions about your field, seek advice from an
advisor or mentor who’s familiar with your work. Choosing an appropriate field of
study is a very important consideration for your GRFP application because it
determines which panel will evaluate your application.
- Note your application deadline.
- Ask for 3 letters of recommendation. Give letter writers AT LEAST 6 weeks
notice!
- Create your FastLane account.
- Start filling out the general information on your FastLane application now and
familiarize yourself with the setup.

24. GET READY… AND ORGANIZED
- Start drafting and workshopping your application materials ASAP!
Assume that you will have to revise several times.
- Look over essay requirements and criteria, the NSF and NSF GRFP
missions, and your CV or resume, and make lists or outlines of what
you’d like to highlight about yourself, your experiences, or your
project in each of the essays.
- Read, make notes on, and seek out more successful application
document examples.
- Connect with others: Create a workshop group, email your
department’s listserv, find friends and colleagues who will lend you
time and support, seek out professors and other folks who will help
you!

25. NSF WEBSITE:
“TOP TIPS FROM AWAREDEES”
- Start early, taking significant time to compose essays, and rewrite.
- Demonstrate your personal motivation and excitement for research.
- Spend time to thoroughly research your topic.
- Integrate essays to create singular theme, link the content together.
- Keep essays clear and simple to read.
- Give essays to many people for review.
- Get input from professors or university administration.
- Get input from previous applicants or winners.
- Thoroughly address both Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts.
- Be sure to include all volunteer, leadership, and extracurricular activities.
- Highlight the significance of your research and how it will impact society.
- Pay close attention to language in the Program Solicitation.
- Focus on getting strong recommendation letters.
- Mention what sets you apart from a typical applicant—highlight what makes you unique!

26. NSF WEBSITE:
“TOP TIPS FROM REVIEWERS”
- Gain research experience, especially at the undergrad level. (GET INVOLVED WITH STUFF
NOW– IT’S NEVER TOO LATE!)
- Become involved in leadership roles and community service.
- Write clear and scientifically-sound essays.
- Strive for scientific publications and presentations.
- Have a strong academic record.
- Be sure to demonstrate the Broader Impacts criteria well.
- Select strong recommenders.
- Link your teaching/service and research experiences.
- Ensure you display a history of accomplishments.
- Thoroughly address both Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts.
- Highlight any international or national experience you may have.
- Display your passion and motivation in the essays.
- Be knowledgeable of your research topic.
- Demonstrate the significance of your proposed work.
- Make sure the proposed research is realistic.

27. DRAFTING AND GETTING STARTED
BEFORE
- Make detailed lists of your accomplishments, involvements, goals and ambitions.
- Read prompts for essays and make notes about what you’d possibly like to highlight.
- Keep in mind the formatting guidelines and page-length requirements– and be realistic about what
you can do with these guidelines and requirements.
- Keep in mind the NSF and NSF GRFP missions and goals– and think about how you can tailor your
essays to these missions and goals.
DRAFTING
- Get started now!
- Save your drafts and keep things clearly labeled in easy-to-find folders.
- Write with specific goals in mind: What does this essay need to accomplish?
- Don’t be afraid to talk about your accomplishments and goals– just don’t sound too into yourself.
You should aim for “professional confidence.”
- Especially while creating your first draft, don’t worry about grammar or sentence structure. Just get
your ideas on paper! Later on, go back and aim for clarity and correct grammar– you’ll need a support
network for this step so that you can have fresh eyes look over your work.
- Start with the document you feel most comfortable with.
- Always in the back of your mind: How can I make what I’m saying attractive to folks who are not
100% familiar with my work and who I am as a person/scholar/scientist/educator? Remember: You’re
“selling” your work to folks who are looking for someone—and a project– to invest in.

28. IMPORTANT WEBSITES
www.nsf.gov/grfp
Official program announcement and information, information for awarded
fellows, FAQ guides, and information for coordinating officials.
www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp
Application submission & award announcements.
www.nsfgrfp.org
Unofficial program information, applicant assistance & resources, outreach-related
issues, panelist registration & information, and applicant ratings sheet review.
Ilearn.ucr.edu—Graduate Mentors Program Site
Here, you can find examples, special documents, and other useful materials.

29. Q&A
- What kinds of questions do you have?
- What kinds of concerns do you have?
- What would you like to know more about?
- What would you find helpful?

30. NEXT WORKSHOP…
NEXT WORKSHOP DATE & TIME
Thursday, 6 October, 11-1pm
PLACE
Right here!
THEME & TOPICS
Theme: Getting Started
Sample Topics: Evaluation Criteria, Drafting, Sample Proposals