The Center for Life Beyond Reed

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship

Apply through Independent Application Process

Internal Deadline: none - see website for annual deadline, usually late October
Liaison: Marwa Al Khamees

» Scholarship's official website
» List of previous winners
» NSF GRFP example applications (Reed Login required)

Description

The NSF fellowship stipend is currently $37,000 for a 12-month tenure, for up to three years. In addition to the funds for stipend payments, the NSF provides the fellowship institution, on behalf of each Fellow, a cost-of-education allowance of $12,000 per tenure year.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident at the time of application. Applicants must be at or near the beginning of their graduate study in science, mathematics, or engineering.

Selection Criteria

Reviewers evaluate all proposals against two criteria:
  • Intellectual Merit: The Intellectual Merit criterion encompasses the potential to advance knowledge; and
  • Broader Impacts: The Broader Impacts criterion encompasses the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes.

The following elements should be considered in the review for both criteria:

1. What is the potential for the proposed activity to:

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

b. Benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader Impacts)?

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

3. 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?

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

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

Application Procedure

Applications are submitted through the NSF website.