NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Info Session, Thurs., Sep. 12, 4 pm

As many of you are already aware, the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) solicitation has been published and the NSF GRFP website has been updated (http://www.nsfgrfp.org/).  To prepare our students for submission, the Graduate School and Pavlis Honors College will be partnering to offer an informational seminar and a guided Canvas course aimed at advising current or prospective Michigan Tech students in developing competitive GRFP application packages.

If you are aware of a student who you believe has the potential to produce a competitive application for this program, please use the form below to provide that student’s name and email to be added to our communication list.  Please submit these individuals via this form and share the details of the information session below with them.

Our offices will send out a special/individual invitations letting students know they have been identified as “a competitive candidate” for the NSF GRFP. The invitation is often received as a positive recognition in itself, as it should be. In the past, this type of invitation has given students the confidence and motivation to put the time and effort into applying for the GRFP.

Our first session will be held on Thursday, September 12th at 4:00 pm in Admin 404 (Graduate School Conference Room). This session will be a general overview of the NSF GRFP.

To be competitive, we encourage students to apply who have:

• a 3.5 GPA or higher
• research and outreach experience
• strong faculty references – letters of recommendation will need to be exceptional

Graduate students who already have internal University/department funding are strongly encouraged to apply.  This, in turn, will free up internal funds for less competitive students.

Below are more details about eligibility, deadlines and links to the solicitation.

Sincerely,

Lorelle A. Meadows

To be eligible for the NSF GRFP, students must:

• Be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
• Intend to enroll or be enrolled full-time in a research-based graduate degree program in an eligible Field of Study in STEM or STEM education (See Appendix and Section IV.3 for eligible Fields of Study)
• Have never previously accepted a GRFP award
• If previously offered a GRFP award, have declined by the deadline
• Have never previously applied to GRFP while enrolled in a graduate degree program
• Have never earned a doctoral or terminal degree in any field
• Have never earned a master’s, professional, or bachelor’s-master’s degree in any field, unless (i) returning to graduate study after an interruption of two (2) or more consecutive years immediately preceding the deadline, and; (ii) are not enrolled in a graduate degree program at the application deadline

 Award benefits:

• a three-year annual stipend of $34,000
• $12,000 cost of education allowance for the cost of tuition

PROGRAM GUIDELINES: Solicitation  19-590

DUE DATES:

• October 21, 2019 – Life Sciences, Geosciences
• October 22, 2019 – Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Engineering, Materials Research
• October 24, 2019 – Psychology, Social Sciences, STEM Education and Learning

• October 25, 2019 – Chemistry, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy

SYNOPSIS
The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing full-time research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education. The GRFP provides three years of support for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant research achievements in STEM or STEM education. NSF especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, persons with disabilities, veterans, and undergraduate seniors to apply.