The Most Important Component of Your Fellowship Application
Why Don’t Superstars Always Win NSF Graduate Research Fellowships?
Why don’t superstars always win? All the GRFP advice I’ve found is pretty straightforward: (1) compile the information that demonstrates you’re already awesome; (2) outline a clear career plan that shows you’ll continue being awesome; and (3) demonstrate a commitment to service which extends your awesomeness. Done. But you still didn’t [...]
When is the Best Time to Apply for NSF Graduate Research Fellowship?
You can apply for an NSF Graduate Research Fellowships as a rising senior or before entering a graduate program; or in the first term of your graduate studies; or at the start of your second year of study. In past years, grad students could apply at the start of their program and again at the start of [...]
How to Write a Great Title for Your Research Project
START BY TELLING THEM WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO GET, NOT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO. A great proposal addresses the reviewer’s need. A great title highlights your solution to that need. Emphasize the results, not the activities.Here's a good technique for writing a great title: Make a list of words in your proposal that are important. [...]
How to Choose the “Field of Study” for the GRFP Application
The NSF is divided into broad directorates like Biological Science, Engineering,Social/Behavioral/Economics Science, etc. These are divided into divisions, which are further subdivided into programs or fields of study. For example, the Math and Physical Science directorate includes divisions of Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, etc. Within the Chemistry Division are programs in Chemical Catalysis, Chemical Synthesis, etc. The Appendix to [...]