1. NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF) Proposal
Sundar A. Christopher
Chairman, Atmospheric Science
Workshop for graduate students and those
contemplating graduate school

2. Important Dates
Call for proposals November 1, 2011
Proposals due (new applications)....February 1, 2012
Announcement of new fellowships……...May 15, 2012
Start date of fellowships September 1, 2012
PROPOSAL MUST BE UPLOADED to ONLINE NASA SYSTEM JANUARY 3, 2012 so UAHuntsville can do the necessary paperwork.

3. All this to go to grad school, do some fun research, and get a degree!
Why Apply?
$24, 000/year for THREE years as stipend – one of the best packages!
All tuition paid
Health insurance paid
Prestigious
Independence
Opportunity to do research
All this to go to grad school, do some fun research, and get a degree!

4. NASA Science Mission Directorate Goals and Purpose
Study planet Earth from space to advance scientific understanding and meet societal needs
The purpose of NESSF is to ensure continued training of a highly qualified workforce in disciplines needed to achieve NASA’s scientific goals outlined above.
Awards resulting from the competitive selection will be made in the form of training grants to the respective universities with the advisor serving as the principal investigator.

5. How Many Awards?
The financial support for the NESSF Program comes from SMD’s four science divisions: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics. For the 2012/2013 academic year, NASA expects to award approximately 50 new graduate fellowships in Earth Science, 3-5 in Heliophysics, 10 in Planetary Science, and 6-10 in Astrophysics.

6. Who Can Apply?
Individuals pursuing Masters or Doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees in Earth and space sciences, or related disciplines

7. Reading NASA Guidelines
Actual winning proposals are here:
Username and password provided during workshop.

8. Compiled Individual Evaluation Solicitation No
Compiled Individual Evaluation Solicitation No.:11-Earth11F-0151 Proposal Title: Satellite Remote Sensing …. Proposal Number:11-Earth11F-0151
PI Name: Christopher, Sundar
PI Institution: UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE
Review: ATMOS
Reviewer 1: Anonymous – Primary
Brief Description of Research:
Criteria: Academic Qualification of Student
Reviewer 1: Good=3
Criteria: Quality of Proposed Research
Criteria: Relevance to NASA Priorities

9. Compiled Individual Evaluation Continued
Reviewer 1: Very Good=4
Criteria: Soundness of Approach/Feasibility
Reviewer 1: Good=3
Criteria: Understanding of Research Area
Enter sum of criteria score:
Reviewer 1:16
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Overall Evaluation
Reviewer 1
Rationale for Overall Evaluation:

10. What to do?
Talk to your adviser. He is the PI; therefore, he must be willing to support your project.
If he approves:
Register online in nspires.nasaprs.com
Ask your adviser to Linda Berry and provide name of student and title of project.
Write an outline for proposal with idea
Ask adviser to review and provide feedback
Write the proposal and finalize
Adviser must write a recommendation letter
Adviser must initiate proposal in the NSPIRES system (NOT you)

11. Your Responsibilities
After adviser initiates proposal, you must enter relevant information in NSPIRES system. Online system is self-explanatory.
Upload proposal.

12. Before You Write the Proposal
Think about your target audience.
Who is the reviewer?
How will they review.
Your margin for sloppiness? – None!
Each reviewer will be evaluating several proposals.
Therefore, your proposal must be TOP NOTCH!

13. How To Write a Proposal Abstract Introduction Specific Objectives
Relevance to NASA Objectives
Data and Models
Methodology
Summary
References
Timeline of Research/Academic Goals

14. Abstract Be concise and tell the entire story in a few words:
Why is your project important?
Why are you doing this project?
What are the new methods and data?
Who will benefit?
The abstract is the most important piece since it is the first thing that a reviewer will read.

15. Introduction
Explain your rationale for doing the project and show off your literature survey skills.
Make sure that references are relevant.
Be specific and do not ramble

16. Specific Objectives Must be specific and to the point
The specific objectives of this project are …
Bulletize

17. Relevance to NASA Objectives
Cite and bold the objective and state how your proposal fulfills the objectives.
Example:
The proposal announcement notes that team members will be expected to advance innovative and practical uses of Earth observations serving regional and/or national needs for decision-making through development of applications. The PI will use satellite data to provide an assessment of particulate matter air quality for SERVIR-Himalaya using practical and innovative methods. The PI will integrate satellite data with a regional chemistry model to provide air quality forecasts. These products will be delivered to SERVIR to fulfill the regional needs of aerosol impacts on air quality and climate.

18. Data and Models
If data is involved indicate study area, months/years of data, types of data, and uncertainties you know about.
Do not propose 10 year data analysis since the proposal is for 3 years.
Succinctly explain the model, grid sizes, and the advantages and disadvantages of the model.
Be upfront. Let the reviewer know that you have done your homework.

19. Methods Be specific and to the point.
Map every objective clearly to methodology.
Talk about expected outcomes.
Address uncertainties and errors clearly.
Include figures and preliminary results. This signals the reviewer that you are indeed capable.

20. Summary
Provide a succinct summary to remind the reviewer the high points is acceptable.
Make sure you tell them why this proposal is important and who will benefit from such work.

21. Writing tips
Only provide high quality, well labeled figures with descriptive captions. Reviewers get irritated with bad figures!
Spell check, grammar check – repeatedly
Do not adjust font sizes and spacing. Follow the font and margin requirements for the proposal.
Use a good font and be consistent. Make sure your font meets the guideline requirements.
Proofread – over and over!
Write in an exciting tone. Show your enthusiasm in your writing!
This means that you need to start your proposal preparation – TOMORROW!

22. Top Ten Do’s for Proposal Writing
Carefully follow the instructions in the RFP.
Focus the proposal on a single scientific problem describing the research plan and anticipated results.
Provide judicious amounts of tutorial material, especially if proposing innovative work.
Give credit to others as appropriate by including references to preceding work in the field.
Proofread and spell check before submitting. If possible, have a colleague proof the proposal.

23. Top Ten Do’s for proposal writing – continued
Keep the proposal text as short as possible without sacrificing completeness.
Use clear, easy to read type fonts and page layouts of material.
Include all requested information.
Strive for realism and adequacy of the budget.
Provide any and all material necessary to understand the budget.

24. Help Is Here
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