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NSF GRFP - Overview and Tips

Short URL to this web page: 

Official Website for GRFP Applicants: 

Submit via Research.gov:

FAQ

Application Details: Eligibility, Dates, Components and Format

  • 3-page personal statement
  • 2-page research plan statement
  • 3-5 letters of reference
  • Academic transcripts

Primary Field

Where to get help strengthening your proposal

Tips and best practices

Make a timeline

  • contact your letter writers early
  • request official transcripts early
  • create a reasearch.gov account and figure out the system early
  • target drafts in time for feedback and critique

References

  • Ideal references know you and your subject
  • Try for more than the minimum of three
  • Give them time and key information, and be polite
  • If they have issues with your proposal, find out about them early and try to address them
  • Make sure you give them all relevant info, including:
    • Link them to the GRFP info for letter writers: https://www.nsfgrfp.org/reference_writers
    • The date the letter is due
    • Include a link to where they must submit it
    • Your plan and personal statement (or a summary)

Understand Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts:

Look at some examples

Research Statements

For research statement, read through some examples Links to an external site.and note the similar moves each makes (in different ways):

  • identifies or frames an issue as important or relevant to science and/or society
  • uses literature to attend briefly to what we think we know and what we still need to know or be able to do, but don't or can't
  • clearly articulates this "gap" or "need" in our scientific knowledge
  • presents research questions, testable hypotheses, aims, or goals that if addressed will allow claims to be made about the knowledge gap or which will fill the need
  • outlines rigorous, specific methods so that the claims/findings/products of research will be sound
  • touches briefly on potential findings and what they may say about the gap, need and broader issue. This is often (but not always) done under the Intellectual Merit heading. 
    • Sets the floor and ceiling of the research. That is, articulates what we will get at a minimum  and points out what we might get in best case scenario.
  • Explicitly addresses (with headings) both:
    • Intellectual merit
      • how the study will generate trustworthy, valid, useful scientific findings (and/or new methods)
      • shows that the methodological approach is feasible and findings of value are very likely
    • Broader impact
      • how your science or the way you carry out your science will have an impact on science and society
        • addresses equity/inclusion in the scientific community
        • contributes to science education, public understanding of science, or public engagement in science
        • contributes to solving problems or concerns which are shared by many in society

Personal statements

For personal statements, read through them as examples Links to an external site. of ways that you can:

  • Use scenarios and personal history to show your trajectory towards becoming a researcher in your field.  This is the most important thing. NSF wants to fund future professional researchers. You should look like a good bet.  You may want to be others things too, but NSF wants to fund future researchers. 
  • Use details from past research experiences and courses as opportunities to show that you understand and very engaged in your science, and therefore have have intellectual merit.  
  • Show that you are passionate about the role that your science or the scientific community can play in broader society. Broader impacts can be related to the impact your research findings may have on problems or challenges faced by society.  The way that you go about your research can also have broader impacts. For instance, you may highlight how your work will educate or engage the public on important issues, or how helps add to and diversify the "pipeline" of young people entering scientific careers and research communities.
  • Use Broader Impacts and Intellectual Merit headings.  
  • Use headings, sections, bolding, formatting and italics strategically to highlight key things for reviewers who are skimming very quickly.