Malek Adjouadi San Juan Puerto Rico, March 27-29

1. The National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) NSF-GRFP: Preparation Workshop focusing on the Research Plan Malek Adjouadi San Juan Puerto Rico, March 27-29 Computing Alliance for Hispanic-Serving Institutions

2. Synopsis of Program Solicitation  10-604 The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce in the United States.  The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees in fields within NSF's mission.  The GRFP provides three years of support for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant achievements in science and engineering research. The ranks of NSF Fellows include individuals who have made transformative breakthroughs in science and engineering research and have become leaders in their chosen careers and Nobel laureates. http://www.nsfgrfp.org/link for the user guide about the program: https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/NSFHelp/flashhelp/fastlane/FastLane_Help/fastlane_help.htm#2_getting_access1.htm

3. Eligibility Requirements • Applicants are U.S. citizen, U.S. national or permanent resident alien • Applicants are graduating senior; have completed a B.S./B.A. degree; or are in 1st year or the first semester of their 2nd year in graduate school. • Applicants are pursuing a research-based master’s or doctoral degree in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields supported by NSF. • Due submission date, usually in November

4. Application Deadline(s) This year’s deadlines are not yet available. But to have an idea, the following are the deadlines for last year: • November 15, 2010 • Interdisciplinary Fields of Study • November 16, 2010 • Engineering • November 18, 2010 • Mathematical Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences and Engineering; Chemistry; Physics and Astronomy • November 19, 2010 • Social Sciences; Psychology; Geosciences; STEM Education • November 22, 2010 • Life Sciences

5. Required Essays • Personal Statement • Describes personal, professional, and educational experiences • Previous Research Experience • Describes experience in research activities • Proposed Plan of Research • Describes in detail applicant’s research plan • Eligibility Essay (for those having completed greater than 12 months of graduate study)

6. Formatting and page number restrictions for the essays All essays should be written using: standard 8.5" x 11" page size 12-point, Times New Roman font 1" margins on all sides must be single spaced or greater. Only publications and presentation citations may be a smaller font, no less than 10 pt. Times New Roman. Character spacing should use normal (100%) single-line space option Images may be included in your essays, however they will be produced only in black and white. All images, footnotes, endnotes, and other citations are included in the 2-page limit. Page number restriction: There is a 2-page limit for: Personal Statement Previous Research Experience Proposed Plan of Research There is a 1-page limit for : Eligibility Essay (for those having completed greater than 12 months of graduate study). References and citations are included toward the page limits.

7. Why a Research Plan? The core of any proposal is the Research Plan, which involves addressing : • what (statement of the problem) • why (significance/hypothesis/specific aims) • how (method/approach) The research plan should also provide • anticipated outcomes and • potential for scientific/societal impact Note: These should summarized as Intellectual Merit and Broader Impact

8. Research Process Hypothesis Specific aims Experimentation or Scientific Method Study and interpret the results Validation and Replication Gradual accumulation of knowledge or truths Remember: Hypothesis: what is to be tested Specific Aim: what is to be accomplished

9. Mentoring and Team Work Athletes know the phenomenon of running with someone ahead of them to shorten the running time. The same effect can be achieved with effective mentoring or working with a strong research group

10. You also need to • Understand Funding Agency Mission • Understand Peer Review Process • Secure Collaborators for areas in which you lack experience and training • Practice: writing is alearned skill

11. Do not forget you need to: • Organize, don’t be sloppy, use readable fonts • Make it easy for them to understand things • Make it easy for them to find things • Don’tmake them work hard • Make it easy for them to be your advocate

12. Structure of the 2-Page Research PlanThis is only a recommendation given the two-page limitation • Introduction: Provide the research domain in broad terms and situate your research as to what it is you are undertaking-Background • Research Question: Define the problem and indicate the knowledge gap or what are the existing limitations you intend to address - Significance • Hypothesis: what is it that would be tested to overcome these limitations • Specific Aims: What is it that you intend to accomplish • Research Design and Methods: Use your research experience and skills to propose something new or unique in support of your Specific Aims. • What are the intellectual merits (preferably in bullet form and concise) • What are the broader Impacts (preferably in bullet form and concise) • Close with a powerful retrospective (2 or 3 sentences to remind the reviewer the significance of your work) Note: Except for the last bullet, try to have a good and succinct/well written paragraph for each bullet above, some shorter than others.

13. Intellectual Merits • How important is the proposed activity to advancing knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields? • How well qualified is the applicant to conduct the project? (If appropriate, the reviewer will comment on the quality of prior work.) • To what extent does the proposed activity suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts? • How well conceived and organized is the proposed activity? • Is there sufficient access to resources?

14. Intellectual Merits – Panelists View • For example, panelists (these are the people who will review your application) may consider the following with respect to the Intellectual Merit Criterion: • Strength of the academic record, • Proposed plan of research, • Description of previous research experience or publication/presentations • References, and • Appropriateness of the choice of institution relativeto the proposed plan for graduate education and research.

15. Broader Impacts • How well does the activity advance discovery and understanding while promoting teaching, training, and learning? • How well does the proposed activity broaden the participation of underrepresented groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity, disability, geographic, etc.)? • To what extent will it enhance the infrastructure for research and education, such as facilities, instrumentation, networks, and partnerships? • Will the results be disseminated broadly to enhance scientific and technological understanding? • What may be the benefits of the proposed activity to society?

16. Broader Impacts: Panelists View • Panelists may consider the following with respect to the Broader Impacts Criterion: • Personal, professional, and educational experiences, • Future plans and prior accomplishments in the integration of research and education, and • Potential to reach diverse audiences and benefit society.

17. Background and Significance • Make the reviewer want to turn the page • Draw the reviewer in: • The intrigue of the scientific question you pose • What is known, what is not known, what is sought? • A compelling rationale (raison d'être or the reason of being), in other words why the research you propose?) to convince the reviewers.

18. Background and Significance • If appropriate, use a good picture or diagram-(situational): but because of the 2-page limitation try to be as situational as possible (this helps the reviewer remember what you are trying to do). But if you manage to include such a diagram, it will - Provides a concise referential ‘snapshot’ - Breaks the monotony of words

19. Background and Significance • Define what is known, andset the stage for why the research you proposeis absolutely necessary to advance our knowledge • Establish that ‘X’ is a big gap in our knowledge. • Then point out how method/experiment of specific aim ‘Y’ will fix that or bridge it.

20. Background and Significance • Bring the reviewer up to speed: Reviewer needs to be updated on the key research points you are addressing and feel comfortable with your research plan. • Take time to read other people’s work. • Rather than merely describing where we have been, impart a sense that the work is new or groundbreaking. • Provide a concise and honest description of the problem including key references – you never know who will review the application.

21. Specific Aim Guidelines • Start with a statement that identifies the phenomenon to be studied. Clearly articulate the HYPOTHESISto guide the investigation in the light of established facts. • What resources are helpful or needed to carry out this study? • Avoid “over-ambitious” aims and be realistic. • Connect the aims thematically Ask yourself these things • Do I know the field and its literature well? • What are the important research questions in my field? • What areas need further exploration? • Could my study fill a gap? Lead to greater understanding? • Has a great deal of research already been conducted in this area? • Has this study been done before? If so, is there room for improvement? • Most importantly, will my study have significant impact?

22. Research design & Methods A Possible Model • Reiterate Specific Aim • Re-statement of rationale • Design of study and structure of methodology • Data analysis/interpretation: These are qualitative analyses and/or statistical procedures used to determine significance

23. Study Design & Methods Study Design • Clear, concise, with logical flow • Easy to follow for a reviewer who may not be expert in the field • Make sure the study schedule (time, milestones) is clear and the reviewer can follow the procedure • If you lose the reviewer here and they have to reread numerous times, your score will suffer

24. Research design & Methods Methodology • Provide details only on the key elements of your research • Commercially available methods or kits need only to be briefly described or referenced • For methods crucial to your aims: give reviewers a sense that they are in good hands. Again, reference significant published work

25. Research Design and Methods Data Analysis/Interpretation • Define the primary and secondary endpoints • Cite statistical tests to be used • What level of significance will be accepted? • What outcome is expected? Provide preliminary results if any • How will you interpret that outcome? What will you conclude? • What are possible alternate outcomes and interpretations?

26. Research Design and Methods Pitfalls and Problems • Address obvious potential technical difficulties • Be clear about plan B (and C) • Opportunity for preemptive strike against potential criticisms • Don’t go overboard in being too critical or too defensive

27. Retrospective: for Fellowship Applicants • Start early, taking significant time to compose essays, and rewrite and provide them to your editors at your institution rest assured that CAHSI investigators will help. • Demonstrate your personal motivation and excitement for research • Spend time to thoroughly research your topic • Integrate essays to create singular theme • Keep essays clear and simple to read

28. Retrospective: for Fellowship Applicants (cont.) • Thoroughly address both Intellectual Merits and Broader Impacts • Give essays to many people for review (colleague, major professor, editor, CAHSI PIs.) • Get input from your advisor and other professors you know • Get input from previous applicants or fellows

29. Retrospective: for Fellowship Applicants (cont.) • Be sure to include all volunteer, leadership and extracurricular activities • Highlight the significance of your research and how it will impact society • Pay close attention to language in the solicitation • Focus on getting strong recommendation letters • Mention what sets you apart from a typical applicant - be unique!

30. Retrospective: Tips from Reviewers • Gain research experience, especially at the undergrad level (NSF-REU program) • Become involved in leadership roles and community service • Write clear and scientifically-sound essays • Strive for scientific publications and presentations • Have a strong academic record

31. Retrospective: Tips from Reviewers 6. Select strong recommenders • Link your teaching and research experiences • Ensure you display a history of accomplishments • Thoroughly address both Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts • Highlight any international experience you may have • Display your passion and motivation in the essays • Be knowledgeable of your research topic • Demonstrate the significance of your proposed work • Make sure the proposed research is realistic

33. Other Fellowship Programs Available