1. How to Fund your Graduate Studies : An Overview of National Graduate Fellowships and How to Compete for Them July 27, 2007 Office of Proposal Development Office of the Vice President for Research Robyn Pearson (rlpearson@tamu.edu)rlpearson@tamu.edu

2. Office of Vice President for Research2 For more information For an electronic version of this presentation and background materials For an electronic version of this presentation and background materials Go to http://opd.tamu.edu/ Go to http://opd.tamu.edu/http://opd.tamu.edu/ Click on “Seminar Materials” then “Seminars by Date” Click on “Seminar Materials” then “Seminars by Date” Click on today’s date Click on today’s date

3. Office of Vice President for Research3 How to Fund Your Graduate Studies Types of Fellowships Types of Fellowships Why bother? Why bother? Where’s the $$$? Where’s the $$$? How to apply and win How to apply and win Overview of the Process and Strategies Overview of the Process and Strategies Examples Examples

4. Office of Vice President for Research4 Funding for Graduate Students Research Assistantships Research Assistantships Funded by faculty’s research funding Funded by faculty’s research funding Typically funded through proposal process Typically funded through proposal process Teaching Assistantships Teaching Assistantships Funded by department Funded by department Teaching-related responsibilities, separate from research Teaching-related responsibilities, separate from research Graduate Fellowships Graduate Fellowships Dissertation Grants Dissertation Grants

5. Office of Vice President for Research5 The Continuum Senior Year Undergrad Graduate School 1 st Year Finish classes Dissertation Work Fellowships for Early Grad Students Post-Doc Dissertation Grants Generic Fellowships

6. Office of Vice President for Research6 Two Types of Fellowships Awards directly to Students Awards directly to Students Students compete directly for award Students compete directly for award Award is portable with student Award is portable with student Examples: Examples: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship NSF Graduate Research Fellowship National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship J. Javits, Ford Foundation, Humane Studies Fellowships J. Javits, Ford Foundation, Humane Studies Fellowships Many targeted fellowships (e.g., Semiconductor Research Graduate Fellowship, Whitaker Fellowship for Biomedical Engineering, AT&T Fellowship, etc.) Many targeted fellowships (e.g., Semiconductor Research Graduate Fellowship, Whitaker Fellowship for Biomedical Engineering, AT&T Fellowship, etc.)

7. Office of Vice President for Research7 Two Types of Fellowships Institutional Awards Institutional Awards Awarded to departments, programs, etc. Awarded to departments, programs, etc. Students selected by department, program or faculty Students selected by department, program or faculty Examples: Graduate Assistantships in Areas of National Need (GAANN), larger programs (IGERT, AGEP, etc.) Examples: Graduate Assistantships in Areas of National Need (GAANN), larger programs (IGERT, AGEP, etc.)

8. Office of Vice President for Research8 Graduate Fellowships – why bother? Guaranteed source of funding Guaranteed source of funding Stipends generally much higher than department RAs (NSF stipend $30K/yr) Stipends generally much higher than department RAs (NSF stipend $30K/yr) Fellowships are portable more autonomy in selecting advisor, research project Fellowships are portable more autonomy in selecting advisor, research project Fellowship can be path to a job (e.g., National Lab) Fellowship can be path to a job (e.g., National Lab)

9. Office of Vice President for Research9 Finding Potential Fellowships Fellowship programs often targeted based on discipline, demographic group, career interests Fellowship programs often targeted based on discipline, demographic group, career interests Look for the fellowship programs that apply to you Look for the fellowship programs that apply to you Excellent web resources available Excellent web resources available Talk to faculty in your department Talk to faculty in your department

10. Office of Vice President for Research10 Finding Potential Fellowships Variety of funders Variety of funders Federal agencies (NSF, DoD, NASA, NIH, EPA, NEH, USDA, Dept. of Ed., Dept. Homeland Security, etc.) Federal agencies (NSF, DoD, NASA, NIH, EPA, NEH, USDA, Dept. of Ed., Dept. Homeland Security, etc.) Foundations Foundations Professional Organizations Professional Organizations Corporations Corporations For various stages For various stages Early Graduate training Early Graduate training Dissertation Grant Dissertation Grant Post-doctoral Post-doctoral

11. Office of Vice President for Research11 Using the Internet to Find Fellowships See OPD webpage See OPD webpage See handout See handout Two types of sites Two types of sites Lists sorted by topic area or date Lists sorted by topic area or date Cornell: http://www.gradschool.cornell.edu/?p=132 Cornell: http://www.gradschool.cornell.edu/?p=132http://www.gradschool.cornell.edu/?p=132 Specific agency fellowships Specific agency fellowships DHS Graduate Fellowship: http://www.orau.gov/dhsed/ DHS Graduate Fellowship: http://www.orau.gov/dhsed/

12. Office of Vice President for Research12 Example National Fellowships National Science Foundation, ~ 1000 awarded annually, usually due early November annually National Science Foundation, ~ 1000 awarded annually, usually due early November annually https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/ NASA Earth Systems Science Fellowships, ~ 50 new fellowships awarded annually, due February NASA Earth Systems Science Fellowships, ~ 50 new fellowships awarded annually, due February http://research.hq.nasa.gov/code_y/nra/current/Fellowship- ESS05/main.html http://research.hq.nasa.gov/code_y/nra/current/Fellowship- ESS05/main.htmlhttp://research.hq.nasa.gov/code_y/nra/current/Fellowship- ESS05/main.htmlhttp://research.hq.nasa.gov/code_y/nra/current/Fellowship- ESS05/main.html Department of Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowships, ~ 200 awarded annually, due January http://www.asee.org/ndseg/index.cfm Department of Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowships, ~ 200 awarded annually, due January http://www.asee.org/ndseg/index.cfm http://www.asee.org/ndseg/index.cfm EPA STAR and GRO Fellowships, ~ 115 awarded annually, due Oct. or Nov. annually http://es.epa.gov/ncer/fellow/ EPA STAR and GRO Fellowships, ~ 115 awarded annually, due Oct. or Nov. annually http://es.epa.gov/ncer/fellow/http://es.epa.gov/ncer/fellow/ DHS, ~ 60 awarded annually due Jan. annually http://www.orau.gov/dhsed/ DHS, ~ 60 awarded annually due Jan. annually http://www.orau.gov/dhsed/http://www.orau.gov/dhsed/ Dept. of Education, J. K. Javits Fellowships (48) due Oct. annually Dept. of Education, J. K. Javits Fellowships (48) due Oct. annually http://www.ed.gov/programs/jacobjavits/index.html

13. Office of Vice President for Research13 National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship http://www.asee.org/ndseg/ http://www.asee.org/ndseg/ Eligibility: Eligibility: US citizen or national US citizen or national Pursuing doctoral degree in, or closely related to, one of the following disciplines having the greatest benefit to national security: Pursuing doctoral degree in, or closely related to, one of the following disciplines having the greatest benefit to national security: Aeronautical and Astronautical Eng Biosciences Chemical Engineering Chemistry Civil Engineering Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sci. Computer and Computational Science Electrical Engineering Physics Geosciences Materials Science and Engineering Mathematics Mechanical Engineering Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering Oceanography Geosciences Materials Science and Engineering Mathematics Mechanical Engineering Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering Oceanography

14. Office of Vice President for Research14 Fellowships for Minorities Ford Foundation - Predoctoral Fellowships for Minorities. The $21,000/year fellowships are awarded to individual minority students who demonstrate superior scholarship and show promise for future achievement as scholars, researchers, and teachers. November deadline. http://www.nationalacademies.org/fellowships Ford Foundation - Predoctoral Fellowships for Minorities. The $21,000/year fellowships are awarded to individual minority students who demonstrate superior scholarship and show promise for future achievement as scholars, researchers, and teachers. November deadline. http://www.nationalacademies.org/fellowships http://www.nationalacademies.org/fellowships American Sociological Association - Minority Fellowship Program. An annual stipend of $14,688 for up to three years for minority graduate students in the early stages of sociology graduate programs with emphasis on mental health issues and research. January deadline. http://asanet.org/page.ww?section=Funding&name=Minority+Fellowship+Progr am American Sociological Association - Minority Fellowship Program. An annual stipend of $14,688 for up to three years for minority graduate students in the early stages of sociology graduate programs with emphasis on mental health issues and research. January deadline. http://asanet.org/page.ww?section=Funding&name=Minority+Fellowship+Progr am http://asanet.org/page.ww?section=Funding&name=Minority+Fellowship+Progr am http://asanet.org/page.ww?section=Funding&name=Minority+Fellowship+Progr am GEM PhD Engineering Fellowship Program. Min $14, 000 for 5 years for engineering (M.S, PhD) and science (PhD)majors. Due November. http://www.gemfellowship.org/gem_fellowship/overview.php GEM PhD Engineering Fellowship Program. Min $14, 000 for 5 years for engineering (M.S, PhD) and science (PhD)majors. Due November. http://www.gemfellowship.org/gem_fellowship/overview.php http://www.gemfellowship.org/gem_fellowship/overview.php

15. Office of Vice President for Research15 Fellowships for Minorities United Negro College Fund & Merck Foundation Science Initiative - Graduate Science Research Dissertation Fellowships. Up to $42,000 stipend to assist African-American graduate students in completing coursework, conducting research, and preparing dissertation in the biomedical sciences. December deadline. http://www.uncf.org/merck/programs/grad.htm United Negro College Fund & Merck Foundation Science Initiative - Graduate Science Research Dissertation Fellowships. Up to $42,000 stipend to assist African-American graduate students in completing coursework, conducting research, and preparing dissertation in the biomedical sciences. December deadline. http://www.uncf.org/merck/programs/grad.htm http://www.uncf.org/merck/programs/grad.htm Social Science Research Council and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation - SSRC-Mellon Minority Fellowship Program. Up to $,5000 to increase number of African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans in the arts and sciences for students enrolled in Ph.D. programs in Mellon-designated fields. Citizenship: unspecified. Deadline: November (annual). http://www.ssrc.org/fellowships/mellon/ Social Science Research Council and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation - SSRC-Mellon Minority Fellowship Program. Up to $,5000 to increase number of African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans in the arts and sciences for students enrolled in Ph.D. programs in Mellon-designated fields. Citizenship: unspecified. Deadline: November (annual). http://www.ssrc.org/fellowships/mellon/http://www.ssrc.org/fellowships/mellon/ National Physical Science Consortium Traditional Fellowships for Minorities and Women. $15,000 stipend for 2 to 3 years. Nov. deadline. http://www.npsc.org National Physical Science Consortium Traditional Fellowships for Minorities and Women. $15,000 stipend for 2 to 3 years. Nov. deadline. http://www.npsc.orghttp://www.npsc.org

16. Office of Vice President for Research16 Fellowships for Women American Association of University Women - International Fellowships. $18,000 awards to women graduate students studying in the United States who are not U.S. citizens. December deadline. http://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/internati onal.cfm American Association of University Women - International Fellowships. $18,000 awards to women graduate students studying in the United States who are not U.S. citizens. December deadline. http://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/internati onal.cfm http://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/internati onal.cfm http://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/internati onal.cfm American Association of University Women - Selected Professions Fellowships. Approximately $5,000-12,000 awards for women in the final year of graduate study in historically under-represented professions, including Business Administration, Law, Medicine, Architecture, Computer Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering. January deadline. http://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/selected.cfm American Association of University Women - Selected Professions Fellowships. Approximately $5,000-12,000 awards for women in the final year of graduate study in historically under-represented professions, including Business Administration, Law, Medicine, Architecture, Computer Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering. January deadline. http://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/selected.cfm http://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/selected.cfm http://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/selected.cfm

17. Office of Vice President for Research17 Analysis of Applicant Instructions/RFP What are eligibility requirements? What are eligibility requirements? When is the application due? When is the application due? How many are awarded each year? How many are awarded each year? Apply through university or as individual? Apply through university or as individual? What criteria are used to evaluate applications? What criteria are used to evaluate applications? Check with faculty in your department (may have been on review panel) Check with faculty in your department (may have been on review panel) Look at goals of funding organization Look at goals of funding organization What are the required components of the application and what is application process? What are the required components of the application and what is application process? Contact awarding organization if you have questions Contact awarding organization if you have questions

18. Office of Vice President for Research18 Typical Application Components Biographical information/Resume Biographical information/Resume GRE scores GRE scores Transcript Transcript Letters of Reference Letters of Reference Essay/Proposal Essay/Proposal Discussion of proposed research Discussion of proposed research May include discussion of one or more research experiences May include discussion of one or more research experiences Follow guidelines to the letter Follow guidelines to the letter

19. Office of Vice President for Research19 Fellowship Application is “Mini-Research Proposal” You are selling yourself and your ideas You are selling yourself and your ideas Identify fellowship opportunities for which you are eligible Identify fellowship opportunities for which you are eligible Analyze what they are looking for (review criteria) Analyze what they are looking for (review criteria) Write best possible application Write best possible application Gather and submit other required material (references, GRE scores, etc.) Gather and submit other required material (references, GRE scores, etc.)

20. Office of Vice President for Research20 What are They Looking For? Will you further the goals of the funder? Will you further the goals of the funder? Will you be a successful graduate student and researcher? Will you be a successful graduate student and researcher? Do you understand the research process? Do you understand the research process? Do you do your homework? Do you do your homework? i.e., read the literature in your area, understand previous work, etc. i.e., read the literature in your area, understand previous work, etc. Can you express your ideas well? Can you express your ideas well? Is your selected area of research something they want to support? Is your selected area of research something they want to support? Varies in importance depending on mission of funder Varies in importance depending on mission of funder Are you one of the best candidates in the applicant pool? Are you one of the best candidates in the applicant pool?

21. Office of Vice President for Research21 Putting together your application Find faculty mentor(s) Find faculty mentor(s) Faculty with whom you plan to do your graduate research Faculty with whom you plan to do your graduate research Faculty in your undergraduate department Faculty in your undergraduate department Graduate coordinator in your department Graduate coordinator in your department They will provide advice on research plan, critique your writing They will provide advice on research plan, critique your writing Ask for references early and check Ask for references early and check Make sure GRE scores, transcripts, etc. will be available on time Make sure GRE scores, transcripts, etc. will be available on time

22. Office of Vice President for Research22 Writing Strategies Start early and get feedback from your peers and professors! Start early and get feedback from your peers and professors! Write in a scholarly style Write in a scholarly style Make it clear you understand your subject Make it clear you understand your subject Cite references if allowed Cite references if allowed Make it clear that you understand the research process Make it clear that you understand the research process Clear hypothesis, goals, objectives Clear hypothesis, goals, objectives Discussion of your planned approach with sufficient detail to show your understanding of the topic Discussion of your planned approach with sufficient detail to show your understanding of the topic

23. Office of Vice President for Research23 Hotlinks to Writing Strategies Many resources available on how to write good proposals Many resources available on how to write good proposals See OPD website See OPD website “Grant Doctor” in Science Magazine “Grant Doctor” in Science Magazine Agency-specific guides Agency-specific guides Google Google Excellent books on writing Excellent books on writing Strunk and White (http://www.bartleby.com/141/) Strunk and White (http://www.bartleby.com/141/) The Art of Writing Proposals, by the Social Science Research Council, available online at http://www.ssrc.org/publications/ The Art of Writing Proposals, by the Social Science Research Council, available online at http://www.ssrc.org/publications/ http://www.ssrc.org/publications/

24. Office of Vice President for Research24 Evaluation & Review Criteria Read application, related information carefully Read application, related information carefully find out what they are looking for find out what they are looking for Investigate goals and culture of funder Investigate goals and culture of funder Reflect vision of the funding agency Reflect vision of the funding agency

25. Office of Vice President for Research25 References Select faculty who know you well Select faculty who know you well Select faculty who will give you a positive reference! Select faculty who will give you a positive reference! Undergraduate research experience great opportunity to develop references Undergraduate research experience great opportunity to develop references Follow up and make sure they sent in your reference letter Follow up and make sure they sent in your reference letter

26. Office of Vice President for Research26 Strategies to Win Good grades and GRE scores help Good grades and GRE scores help GPAs typically 3.7 or higher but not always GPAs typically 3.7 or higher but not always Undergraduate research experience Undergraduate research experience Good essay answers Good essay answers Great research proposal Great research proposal Excellent references Excellent references

27. Office of Vice President for Research27 Example: NSF Graduate Research Fellowships Typically due early November Typically due early November 1000 to be awarded this year 1000 to be awarded this year For any research area funded by NSF For any research area funded by NSF Includes Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences as well as Science and Engineering Includes Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences as well as Science and Engineering Look through NSF web site at www.nsf.gov for research areas Look through NSF web site at www.nsf.gov for research areaswww.nsf.gov

28. Office of Vice President for Research28 How to Apply for NSF Fellowship See www.ehr.nsf.gov/dge/programs/grf/ and https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/ for application instructions, FAQ, etc. See www.ehr.nsf.gov/dge/programs/grf/ and https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/ for application instructions, FAQ, etc.www.ehr.nsf.gov/dge/programs/grf/https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/www.ehr.nsf.gov/dge/programs/grf/https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/ Apply on-line using NSF’s “Fastlane” system at www.fastlane.nsf.gov Apply on-line using NSF’s “Fastlane” system at www.fastlane.nsf.gov Parts of application Parts of application Information form (name, school, etc.) Information form (name, school, etc.) Application form (includes two essay questions) Application form (includes two essay questions) Proposed Plan of Research Proposed Plan of Research Previous Research Experience Previous Research Experience References References GRE, GPA form and transcript request form GRE, GPA form and transcript request form

29. Office of Vice President for Research29 NSF Fellowship $30,000 per year plus $10,500 education allowance for 3 years $30,000 per year plus $10,500 education allowance for 3 years Must be US Citizen or permanent resident Must be US Citizen or permanent resident May apply: May apply: during undergrad senior year during undergrad senior year prior to or during 1 st year of grad school, prior to or during 1 st year of grad school, or at beginning of 2 nd year of grad school or at beginning of 2 nd year of grad school

30. Office of Vice President for Research30 Research Proposals Be original. Be original. “A less polished essay that shows evidence of the student’s own creativity is usually more impressive than a sophisticated plan that is not original.” “A less polished essay that shows evidence of the student’s own creativity is usually more impressive than a sophisticated plan that is not original.” Be rigorous. Be rigorous. “The best research proposals…demonstrate that the applicant understands how to conduct research in his/her discipline using the scientific method” “The best research proposals…demonstrate that the applicant understands how to conduct research in his/her discipline using the scientific method” Be clear and well-organized. Be clear and well-organized. “The best proposals… demonstrate creativity in thinking about research questions as well as communication and organizational skills.” “The best proposals… demonstrate creativity in thinking about research questions as well as communication and organizational skills.”

31. Office of Vice President for Research31 Finally…. Start early Start early Do your homework Do your homework Ask for help Ask for help The Office of Proposal Development is available to help: The Office of Proposal Development is available to help: Robyn Pearson rlpearson@tamu.edu rlpearson@tamu.edu Lucy Deckard L-deckard@tamu.edu L-deckard@tamu.edu