Tips for the NSF GRFP Application

November 26, 2018

Tips for the NSF GRFP Application by Danielle Perry, 2017 NSF GRFP recipient and GWC tutor

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) recognizes exceptional graduate students seeking research-based Master’s and doctoral degrees from accredited United States institutions (https://www.nsfgrfp.org/). The GRFP supports students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. It is a 5-year fellowship that supplies 3 years of financial support to the recipients. Although a competitive fellowship, it is also a very rewarding one. I was fortunate enough to receive one of these fellowships in 2017, and I can attest first hand to the amazing opportunities that it offers. I would like to share with you some advice that helped me as I wrote the research proposal and personal statement for the GRFP application.

GRFP Tips

  1. If available, provide preliminary data to include in your research proposal. Reviewers need to feel confident that you’ll be able to complete the project and in the allotted time. Providing preliminary data shows that your project is already underway and is more likely to be completed.
  2. Include a graph or figure in your research proposal. I would not advise making multiple graphs/figures since space is limited, but one graph or figure could help the reviewers better understand your project. However, make sure that the image is clearly related to your project and is helpful to the comprehension of your research and is not superfluous.
  3. Make sure that your personal statement is about YOU and not specifically about your research. There should be information about your research because that helps support your qualifications and merit as a graduate student, but I would not advise explicit detail about the mechanisms of your study. The GRFP guidelines also want you to discuss your research experience. However, you should frame the way you discuss your research and experiences in a manner that highlights your personal qualities. The purpose of the PERSONAL statement is for the reviewers to get to know you better not to get to know your research better.
  4. Be creative with your personal statement. Reviewers read several applications and you want yours to stand out. Do not start the statement with, “My name is….” The reviewers already know your name, but they do not know about your challenges and how you overcame them, your successes, or your contributions to the scientific field, to the public, or to the next generation of scientists. Don’t be afraid to let the reviewers know how great you are as long as you’re able to back up your statements with examples. Framing your personal statement as a story about yourself could also help to better engage the reviewers.
  5. In your personal statement, let the reviewers know how you are different. What about your background and experiences makes you stand out from other candidates? Highlight these qualities in your personal statement.
  6. The Broader Impacts are a very important part of the personal statement. Yes, it is good to explain how your research will benefit the scientific community and the public, but it is just as important to explain how you personally have/will help the public, grade school students, non-scientific communities, etc. relate to science. Science communication is important to NSF and you should let the reviewers know how you will help with this mission.

The GRFP is a life changing opportunity and I encourage you all to apply. Due dates for the GRFP are in the fall, and specific dates vary on discipline. Please visit the GRFP website https://www.nsfgrfp.org/ for more information. Feel free to reach out to me as well at dperry@uri.edu with any questions. Check back on the Graduate Writing Center website for writing workshop dates.