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NSF 04-615: Graduate Research Fellowship Program

Program Solicitation

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Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

Program Solicitation
NSF 04-615
Replaces Document NSF 03-050

NSF Logo

National Science Foundation
Directorate for Education and Human Resources
      Division of Graduate Education


Application Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):

Deadline(s) are dependent on proposed field of study or specialization

    November 17, 2004

      Life Sciences

    November, 18, 2004

      Chemistry

    November 19, 2004

      Computer and Information Science and Engineering

    November 29, 2004

      Social Sciences

    November 30, 2004

      Physics and Astronomy

    December 2, 2004

      Mathematical Sciences

    December 3, 2004

      Geosciences

    December 9, 2004

      Psychology

    December 10, 2004

      Engineering

The deadline(s) above apply to application information that must be submitted via FastLane.

The following deadlines apply to Supporting Application Materials:

December 10, 2004:
Undergraduate GPA Form and Official Academic Transcript(s) (excluding Fall 2004)

December 31, 2004:
GRE Subject and General Test scores (optional)
and Reference Letter (required).

Revisions And Updates

NOTE:  The NSF-Supported Fields of Specialization that comprise the disciplines above are listed here.

  1. Submission deadlines have changed.

  2. The following materials constitute the application: FastLane application information, Undergraduate GPA Form, Official Academic Transcripts, and Reference Letter. GRE scores are optional.

  3. The requirement for Reference Report Forms has been changed to require only one Reference Letter.

  4. The method for submitting GRE scores via the Educational Testing Service has changed.

Summary Of Program Requirements

General Information

Program Title:

Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

Synopsis of Program:

The National Science Foundation aims to ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in the United States and to reinforce its diversity by offering approximately 1,000 graduate fellowships in this competition. The Graduate Research Fellowship provides three years of support for graduate study leading to research-based masterТs or doctoral degrees and is intended for students who are at the early stages of their graduate study. The Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) invests in graduate education for a cadre of diverse individuals who demonstrate their potential to successfully complete graduate degree programs in disciplines relevant to the mission of the National Science Foundation.  

Cognizant Program Officer(s):

  • Earnestine Psalmonds, Program Director, Directorate for Education & Human Resources, Division of Graduate Education, 907 N, telephone: (703) 292-5199, email: epsalmon@nsf.gov

Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):

  • 47.076 --- Education and Human Resources

Eligibility Information

  • Organization Limit:

    Fellowship applications must be submitted by the prospective Fellow. Applicants must register with the FastLane system prior to submitting an application and must affiliate with an accredited United States university, college, or non-profit academic institution or appropriate international institution of higher education offering advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics prior to activating the Fellowship award.
  • Applicant Eligibility Limit:

    Applicants must be United States citizens or nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States. The term "national" designates a native resident of a commonwealth or territory of the United States, such as American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or the Northern Mariana Islands.  It does not refer to a citizen of another country who has applied for U.S. citizenship.

    Fellowships are intended for individuals in the earliest stages of their graduate study.

    • Applicants must have completed no more than twelve months of full-time graduate study or the equivalent in part-time study.
    • Individuals may apply during the senior year of college, prior to or during the first year of graduate school, and at the beginning of the second year of graduate school. 
  • Limit on Number of Applications: Applicants are limited to only one application in this competition.

Award Information

  • Anticipated Type of Award: Fellowship
  • Estimated Number of Awards: 1000
  • Anticipated Funding Amount: $40,500 Annually: $30,000 Stipend and $10,500 Cost of Education allowance per award.

Application Preparation and Submission Instructions

A. Application Preparation Instructions
  • Application Preparation Instructions: This solicitation contains information that deviates from the standard Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) proposal preparation guidelines. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
B. Budgetary Information
  • Cost Sharing Requirements: Cost Sharing is not required.
  • Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:

    No indirect costs are allowed.
  • Other Budgetary Limitations: Other budgetary limitations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
C. Due Dates

  • Application Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):

    Deadline(s) are dependent on proposed field of study or specialization

    November 17, 2004

      Life Sciences

    November, 18, 2004

      Chemistry

    November 19, 2004

      Computer and Information Science and Engineering

    November 29, 2004

      Social Sciences

    November 30, 2004

      Physics and Astronomy

    December 2, 2004

      Mathematical Sciences

    December 3, 2004

      Geosciences

    December 9, 2004

      Psychology

    December 10, 2004

      Engineering

The deadline(s) above apply to application information that must be submitted via FastLane.

The NSF-Supported Fields of Specialization that comprise disciplines above are listed here.

The following deadlines apply to Supporting Application Materials:

December 10, 2004:
Undergraduate GPA Form and Official Academic Transcript(s) (excluding Fall 2004)

December 31, 2004:
GRE Subject and General Test scores (optional)
and Reference Letter (required).

Application Review Information

  • Merit Review Criteria: National Science Board approved criteria apply.

Award Administration Information

  • Award Conditions: Additional award conditions apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
  • Reporting Requirements: Additional reporting requirements apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

I. Introduction

The purpose of the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to ensure the vitality of the scientific and technological workforce in the United States and to reinforce its diversity. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in the relevant science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines who are pursuing research-based masterТs and doctoral degrees. NSF Fellows are expected to become knowledge experts who can contribute significantly to research, teaching, and innovations in science and engineering. These individuals will be crucial to maintaining and advancing the nationТs technological infrastructure and national security as well as contributing to the economic well being of society at large.

The Graduate Research Fellowship Program is designed to provide opportunities for advanced education that prepares students for a broad range of disciplinary and cross-disciplinary careers through its strategic investments in intellectual capital. Applicants, therefore, are urged to visit the NSF web page at https://www.nsf.gov for more information and guidance about current and emerging themes for the NSF directorates. 

II. Program Description

The Graduate Research Fellowship Program awards fellowships for graduate study leading to research-based masterТs or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) relevant to the mission of the National Science Foundation (NSF-Supported FIelds of Specialization). Awards are made also for study toward a research-based Ph.D. in science education that requires a competence comparable to that of Ph.D. candidates in scientific disciplines.

NSF Graduate Research Fellowships are intended for individuals in the early stages of their graduate study. All applicants are expected to have adequate preparation to begin graduate level study and research by Summer or Fall of 2005. In most cases, this will be demonstrated by a bachelorТs degree earned prior to Fall 2005.

Applicants may pursue graduate study at an institution in the United States or affiliate with a foreign institution. Prospective Fellows are responsible for all logistical arrangements required for affiliation with the foreign institution, including living arrangements and securing any necessary passports or visas.  

The Graduate Research Fellowship Program supports a comprehensive holistic plan for graduate education and takes into account the individual interests and competencies of the Fellows. Thus, an applicant needs to provide a detailed profile of his or her relevant experiences and plans for graduate education in such a way as to demonstrate the potential to become an emerging knowledge expert in STEM disciplines.

III. Eligibility Information

Fellowship applications must be submitted by the prospective Fellow.

Citizenship

Applicants must be United States citizens or nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States.  The term "national" designates a native resident of a commonwealth or territory of the United States, such as American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or the Northern Mariana Islands.  It does not refer to a citizen of another country who has applied for U.S. citizenship.

Degree Requirements

Applicants are expected to have adequate preparation to begin graduate study and research by Summer or Fall 2005.  In most cases, this will be demonstrated by receipt of a bachelor's degree earned prior to Fall 2005.

Individuals in joint BS/MS programs are eligible if the application is submitted prior to the completion of any other graduate study as stipulated below. In four-year joint programs, applicants may apply in the fourth year and after the completion of the program (prior to the completion of any other graduate study); in five-year joint programs, applicants may apply in the fourth and fifth years of the program, and after the completion of the program (prior to the completion of any other graduate study). 

Fellowships are intended for individuals in the early stages of their graduate study. Applicants must have completed no more than twelve months of full-time graduate study at the time of their application. For eligibility purposes for part-time students, assume that nine (9) semester hours of part-time study are equal to a full-time semester and that six (6) semester hours of part-time study are equal to a summer session.

Exceptions to these time-related restrictions can be made for extenuating circumstances such as significant change of field, interruption in study to gain work experience, or career interruption due to family or medical reasons. The interruption must be for a period of more than two years prior to November 2004.    

There are two categories of applicants that are always ineligible:

  • Those who earned a Ph.D. in science, mathematics, or engineering or any medical degree, such as an M.D., D.D.S. or D.V.M. after October 1, 1999.
  • Those who have already received and held tenure as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow.

Field of Study

Fellowships are awarded for graduate study leading to research‑based masterТs or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF-Supported Fields of Specialization). Awards are made also for work toward a research‑based Ph.D. in science education that requires a science competence comparable to that for Ph.D. candidates in scientific disciplines. 

Support is not provided for study in clinical, counseling, business, or management fields; in other education programs of any kind; in history (except in history of science) or social work; for work in medical, dental, law, public health, or practice‑oriented professional degree programs; or in joint science‑professional degree programs such as MD/PhD and JD/PhD programs.  Support is not provided for clinical research or for research with a focus on disease, especially applied research on the diagnosis or treatment of physical or mental disease or in the abnormality or malfunction in humans or animals. Support is not provided also for research involving animal models of such conditions, the development or testing of drugs, or other procedures for their treatment.  

Basic research in fields (NSF-Supported Fields of Specialization) are usually eligible notwithstanding the fact that the research may lead to long-term disease-related implications.  Research in bioengineering with diagnosis or treatment‑related goals is eligible for support if it applies engineering principles to problems in biology and medicine while advancing engineering knowledge.  Bioengineering research to aid persons with disabilities is also eligible.

Eligibility for the Women in Engineering and Computer and Information Science Awards

The Women in Engineering and Computer and Information Science (WECS) awards -- with additional funding provided by the Directorates for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), Engineering (ENG), and Education and Human Resources (EHR) --  are for women who intend to pursue graduate research degrees in Engineering or Computer and Information Science and Engineering.  Women who apply in fields listed under УEngineeringФ or УComputer and Information Science and EngineeringФ in this solicitation will be considered for a WECS award.  Other eligibility criteria are the same as for applicants in other fields.

IV. Award Information

NSF expects to award 1,000 Graduate Research Fellowships under this solicitation.

The Graduate Research Fellowship stipend is currently $30,000 for a 12-month tenure period, prorated monthly at $2,500 for shorter periods.  At its discretion, the affiliated institution may supplement a Fellow's stipend from institutional funds as allowable according to the policies of the institution.

NSF will provide the affiliated institution, on behalf of the Fellow, a cost of education allowance of $10,500 per tenure year. If a Fellow affiliates with a foreign institution, tuition and assessed fees will be reimbursed to the Fellow up to a maximum of $10,500 per tenure year.

All awards will be for a maximum of three years usable over a five-year period. The anticipated award date is late March 2005.

Honorable Mention

The NSF accords Honorable Mention to meritorious applicants who do not receive fellowship awards. Honorable Mention is considered a significant academic achievement nationwide.  

V. Application Preparation And Submission Instructions

A. Application Preparation Instructions

Application Instructions:

Complete applications include information that must be submitted electronically using NSFТs FastLane Graduate Research Fellowship Program application module at http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/ and supporting materials that must be submitted in hard copy. See the Applicant Users Guide for instructions on completing and submitting an application as well as supplemental information about the GRFP.

The FastLane Application Information includes the following:  Personal Profile, Education and Work Experience, Planned Graduate Program, Reference Letter, Personal Statements, Proposed Plan of Research, and Previous Research Experience. Applicants are advised to submit applications early to avoid possible FastLane system delays on the deadline date for their field of specialization.

Supporting Application Materials are described below.

  •  Official Academic Transcript(s)

Applicants are required to have official transcript(s) from all undergraduate and graduate academic institutions attended, excluding Fall 2004 submitted to the GRF Operations Center in hard copy via postal mail, express service, or courier to: 

GRF Operations Center
Suite T-50,
1818 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
  •  Undergraduate GPA Form

Applicants are required to have a single GPA Form submitted to the GRF Operations Center in hard copy via postal mail, express service, or courier to:

GRF Operations Center
Suite T-50,
1818 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
  •   Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Test Scores

It is recommended that applicants have both the GRE General and Subject Test scores reported, but GRE scores are optional. To have GRE scores reported, applicants should use the Fellowship Sponsor Code 5140.  Only GRE scores from tests taken between October 1, 1999 and December 31, 2004 submitted by ETS will be accepted for the 2004-05 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship competition. Applicants should NOT submit scores themselves directly. 

Graduate Record Examination Registration

NSF will pay Subject Test registration fees for applicants who register for the December 11, 2004 administration under two conditions: (1) the NSF Fellowship application is the primary purpose, and (2) the GRE registration form for the December test is received at ETS no later than November 5, 2004. 

The following condition is imposed on the reporting of the December 11, 2004 GRE Subject Test scores when the test fee is paid by NSF.  Prior to May 1, 2005 these scores will be reported only for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, to the fellowship applicant, and to the applicantТs undergraduate institution.

Mail the Request for Payment of GRE Subject Test Fee form along with the GRE Subject Test registration form to:   

Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6000
Princeton, NJ 08541-6004

Application Completion Status

The FastLane GRFP Application module will display the completion status of the FastLane Application Information. Applicants will be notified  by the GRF Operations Center of the status of supporting application materials such as transcripts and GRE scores.

B. Budgetary Information

Cost Sharing:

Cost sharing is not required in proposals submitted under this Program Solicitation.

Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:

No indirect costs are allowed.

Other Budgetary Limitations:

The Graduate Research Fellowship Program fellowship stipend is currently $30,000 for a 12-month tenure period, prorated monthly at $2,500 for shorter periods.  At its discretion, the affiliated institution may supplement a FellowТs stipend from institutional funds as allowable according to the policies of the institution.

The NSF provides the affiliated institution, on behalf of each fellow, a cost-of-education allowance of $10,500 per tenure year. At foreign institutions, all tuition and assessed fees will be reimbursed to the Fellow up to a maximum of $10,500 per tenure year.

C. Due Dates

Application Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. applicant's local time):

Deadline(s) are dependent on proposed field of study or specialization

    November 17, 2004

      Life Sciences

    November, 18, 2004

      Chemistry

    November 19, 2004

      Computer and Information Science and Engineering

    November 29, 2004

      Social Sciences

    November 30, 2004

      Physics and Astronomy

    December 2, 2004

      Mathematical Sciences

    December 3, 2004

      Geosciences

    December 9, 2004

      Psychology

    December 10, 2004

      Engineering

The deadline(s) above apply to application information that must be submitted via FastLane.

The NSF-Supported Fields of Specialization that comprise disciplines above are listed here.

The following deadlines apply to Supporting Application Materials:

December 10, 2004:
Undergraduate GPA Form and Official Academic Transcript(s) (excluding Fall 2004)

December 31, 2004: 
GRE Subject and General test scores (optional)
Reference Letters (required).

 

VI. Application Review Information

A. NSF Application Review Process

Applications will be reviewed by disciplinary panels of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. Applications are assigned to panels based on the applicant's chosen field(s) of study and are evaluated on the basis of all available information. In considering applications, reviewers are asked to address two questions that are the basis of NSF's merit review criteria: (1) What is the intellectual merit of the applicant? and (2) What are the broader impacts of supporting the individual's graduate study? Both intellectual merit and the broader impacts of support are important to the evaluation of applications. Applicants should address activities in their written statements to provide reviewers with information necessary to respond fully to both NSF merit review criteria.

Intellectual Merit Criterion


The intellectual merit criterion includes demonstrated intellectual ability and other accepted requisites for scholarly scientific study, such as the ability (1) to plan and conduct research; (2) to work as a member of a team as well as independently; and (3) to interpret and communicate research findings. Panelists are instructed to consider: the strength of the academic record, the proposed plan of research, the description of previous research experience, the appropriateness of the choice of references and the extent to which they indicate merit, Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General and Subject Tests scores, and the appropriateness of the choice of institution for fellowship tenure relative to the proposed plan of research.

Broader Impacts Criterion

The broader impacts criterion includes contributions that (1) effectively integrate research and education at all levels, infuse learning with the excitement of discovery, and assure that the findings and methods of research are communicated in a broad context and to a large audience; (2) encourage diversity, broaden opportunities, and enable the participation of all citizens-women and men, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities-in science and research; (3) enhance scientific and technical understanding; and (4) benefit society. Applicants may provide characteristics of their background, including personal, professional, and educational experiences, to indicate their potential to fulfill the broader impacts criterion.

VII. Award Administration Information

A. Notification of the Award

Notification of the fellowship award is made to the applicant by the Director, Division of Graduate Education. Applicants whose applications are declined will be advised as promptly as possible.

B. Award Conditions

An NSF Fellowship award consists of the award letter that includes the applicable terms and conditions and fellowship management instructions. All Fellowship awards are made subject to the provisions (and any subsequent amendments) contained in the document  Information for Graduate Research Fellows.

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program applicants will be notified by late March 2005 of their selection. The applicant must accept or decline the Fellowship  within 30 days of notification by logging into the Graduate Research Fellowship Program link at (http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/) with the same userid and password as used with the application. 

Other Opportunities for Fellowship Awardees and Honorable Mention Recipients

Fellows and Honorable Mention recipients may request computer time at one of the NSF supported Supercomputer Centers. The Centers consider requests for supercomputer use in support of the research project that is undertaken toward completion of the graduate program of study. (Refer to the Information for Graduate Research Fellows for additional guidance.)

Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities (students and faculty) to work on NSF-supported projects. All fellowship awardees and Honorable Mention recipients with disabilities may apply for assistance by contacting:  FASED c/o Graduate Research Fellowship Program, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard - Room 815, Arlington, VA 22230.  See the FASED program announcement.

C. Reporting Requirements

Fellows are required to use NSFТs FastLane electronic fellowship reporting system for preparation and submission of annual reports. The system permits electronic submission and updating of activity reports, including information on research accomplishments and findings, presentations, publications, awards and recognitions, and other accomplishments. Fellows will not be required to re-enter information previously provided in the fellowship application.

Fellows must submit a Declaration to Utilize, Reserve or Terminate a Subsequent Year of a Three-Year Graduate Fellowship Award annually each spring. Failure to declare intent at this time results in the fellowship being considered as Resigned. 

Fellows must submit an Activities Report annually within 30 days after the end of each tenure period describing experiences and accomplishments during the past year.

Fellows Abroad

The Fellowship Starting Certificate must be submitted to begin stipend payments and annually thereafter.  The Starting Certificate must indicate the contact information for the Science Advisor at the affiliated institution.

The ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment Enrollment Form (SF 3881) must be submitted to the Division of Financial Management at NSF in order for the U.S. Treasury Department to transmit payment data electronically to the FellowТs U.S. bank account.

An annual Fellowship Termination Certificate and Grant Fiscal Report must be submitted upon completion of each tenure period. The Science Advisor must verify the end date for each fellowship year. 

VIII. Contacts For Additional Information

General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:

  • Earnestine Psalmonds, Program Director, Directorate for Education & Human Resources, Division of Graduate Education, 907 N, telephone: (703) 292-5199, email: epsalmon@nsf.gov

General inquiries regarding this program solicitation should be directed to:

Graduate Research Fellowship Operations Center:  Toll Free 866-NSF-GRFP (866-673-4737), International Phone 202-331-3542, E-mail: help@nsfgradfellows.org 

FastLane Help Desk:  Phone - 800-673-6188, E-mail: fastlane@nsf.gov

For questions related to the use of FastLane, contact:

IX. Other Programs Of Interest

The NSF Guide to Programs is a compilation of funding for research and education in science, mathematics, and engineering. The NSF Guide to Programs is available electronically at https://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?gp. General descriptions of NSF programs, research areas, and eligibility information for proposal submission are provided in each chapter.

Many NSF programs offer announcements or solicitations concerning specific proposal requirements. To obtain additional information about these requirements, contact the appropriate NSF program offices. Any changes in NSF's fiscal year programs occurring after press time for the Guide to Programs will be announced in the NSF E-Bulletin, which is updated daily on the NSF Web site at https://www.nsf.gov/home/ebulletin, and in individual program announcements/solicitations. Subscribers can also sign up for NSF's Custom News Service (https://www.nsf.gov/home/cns/start.htm) to be notified of new funding opportunities that become available.

  • International Research Fellowship Program  (NSF 02-149)

  • Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program  (NSF 03-520)

  • Discovery Corps Fellowships  (NSF 04-591)

  • CEDAR, GEM, and SHINE Postdoctoral Research  (NSF 04-573)

  • NSF Directors Award for Distinguished Teaching Scholars  (NSF 04-594)

  • Integrative Graduate Education and Research (IGERT)  (NSF 04-550)

  • Research Experiences for Undergraduates  (NSF 04-584)

  • International Opportunities for Scientists and Engineers  (NSF 03-559)

  • Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships and Supporting Activities (NSF 00-139)

  • GK-12: NSF Graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education  (NSF 04-533)

About The National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. Awardees are wholly responsible for conducting their project activities and preparing the results for publication. Thus, the Foundation does not assume responsibility for such findings or their interpretation.

NSF welcomes proposals from all qualified scientists, engineers and educators. The Foundation strongly encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to compete fully in its programs. In accordance with Federal statutes, regulations and NSF policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin or disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from NSF, although some programs may have special requirements that limit eligibility.

Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities (investigators and other staff, including student research assistants) to work on NSF-supported projects. See the GPG Chapter II, Section D.2 for instructions regarding preparation of these types of proposals.

а

Privacy Act And Public Burden Statements

The information requested on proposal forms and project reports is solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. The information on proposal forms will be used in connection with the selection of qualified proposals; project reports submitted by awardees will be used for program evaluation and reporting within the Executive Branch and to Congress. The information requested may be disclosed to qualified reviewers and staff assistants as part of the proposal review process; to applicant institutions/grantees to provide or obtain data regarding the proposal review process, award decisions, or the administration of awards; to government contractors, experts, volunteers and researchers and educators as necessary to complete assigned work; to other government agencies needing information as part of the review process or in order to coordinate programs; and to another Federal agency, court or party in a court or Federal administrative proceeding if the government is a party. Information about Principal Investigators may be added to the Reviewer file and used to select potential candidates to serve as peer reviewers or advisory committee members. See Systems of Records, NSF-50, "Principal Investigator/Proposal File and Associated Records," 63 Federal Register 267 (January 5, 1998), and NSF-51, "Reviewer/Proposal File and Associated Records," 63 Federal Register 268 (January 5, 1998). Submission of the information is voluntary. Failure to provide full and complete information, however, may reduce the possibility of receiving an award.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to an information collection unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this collection is 3145-0023. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 12 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions. Send comments regarding this burden estimate and any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, Division of Administrative Services, National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA 22230.

OMB control number: 3145-0023.

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS

NSF-Supported Fields of Specialization

CHEMISTRY

         5230        Analytical
         5250        Bio inorganic
         5240        Bio organic
         5260        Biophysical 
         9994        Environmental
         5290        Inorganic
         5330        Organic
         5350        Physical
         5331        Polymer
         5370        Theoretical
         5399        Chemistry, other (specify)

COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (CISE)

ааааааааа7240        Artificial Intelligence
                          (including Robotics and Expert Systems)
         7210        Computer Science - Languages and Systems
         7200        Computer Science - Theory
         7270        Computer Systems Design
                          (including Signal Processing)
         7230        Database Systems
         7261        Graphics
         7260        Human Computer Interaction
         7250        Information Technology and Organizations
         7290        Networks and Communications
         7280        Scientific Computing
         7220        Software Engineering
         7299        CISE, other (specify)

ENGINEERING

ааа ааааа6210           Aeronautical and Aerospace
         6240           Agricultural
         6250           Bioengineering and Biomedical
         6330           Chemical
         6350           Civil
         6388           Computer Engineering
         6390           Electrical and Electronic
         6741           Energy
         6470           Engineering Mechanics
         6532           Engineering Science
         9996           Environmental
         6580           Industrial
         6476           Materials
         6620           Mechanical
         6660           Metallurgical
         6740           Nuclear
         6245           Ocean
         6716           Petroleum
         6480           Polymer
         6585           Systems Engineering 
         6799           Engineering, other (specify)

GEOSCIENCES

ааааааааа5710           Aeronomy
         5720           Atmospheric Chemistry
         5750           Chemical Oceanography
         5770           Climate Dynamics
         5740           Geochemistry
         5780           Geology
         5800           Geophysics
         5810           Hydrologic Sciences
         5820           Large-scale Dynamics Meteorology
         5830           Magnetospheric Physics
         5840           Marine Geology and Geophysics
         5850           Mesoscale Dynamic Meteorology
         5870           Paleoclimate
         5860           Paleontology
         5880           Physical Meteorology
         7799           Physical Oceanography
         5890           Solar Terrestrial
         5889           Geosciences, other (specify)

LIFE SCIENCES

аааааааа0399           Agriculture1
        0140           Agronomy1
        4510           Anatomy2
        4530           Animal Behavior
        4531           Animal Science1
        0999           Biochemistry2
        1870           Biological Oceanography 
        1899           Biology 
        1299           Biophysics 
        1599           Botany  (including Plant Physiology)
        1820           Cell Biology2
        1860           Computational Biology 
        1840           Developmental Biology 
        1830           Ecology 
        4570           Entomology 
        9992           Environmental Sciences 
        1850           Evolutionary Biology
        4590           Fish and Wildlife1
        0250           Forestry1
        2499           Genetics2
        0300           Horticulture1
        3293           Immunology2 
        1874           Marine Biology
        3299           Microbiology2
        1880           Molecular Biology2
        1829           Neurosciences2
        1890           Nutrition1
        2970           Pharmacology2
        3899           Physiology2
        1545           Plant Pathology 
        4540           Soil Science 
        1822           Structural Biology
        3290           Virology2
        4699           Zoology
        2299           Life Sciences, other (specify)2

MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

ааааааааа7010           Algebra or Number Theory
         7030           Analysis
         7050           Applications of Mathematics
                             (including Biometrics and Biostatistics)
         7110           Geometry
         7130           Logic or Foundations of Mathematics
         7140           Operations Research
         7150           Probability and Statistics
         7170           Topology
         7199           Mathematics, other (specify)

PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

ааааааааа4999           Astronomy
         4930           Astrophysics
         8040           Atomic and Molecular
         8050           Condensed Matter Physics
         8160           Nuclear
         8180           Optics
         8110           Particle Physics
         8200           Physics of Fluids
         8210           Plasma
         8220           Solid State
         8260           Theoretical Physics
         8299           Physics, other (specify)

PSYCHOLOGY

ааааааааа4125           Cognitive
         4120           Cognitive Neuroscience
         4130           Developmental
         4150           Experimental or Comparative
         4189           Industrial/Organizational
         4155           Neuropsychology
         4165           Perception and Psychophysics
         4170           Personality and Individual Differences
         4158           Physiological
         4162           Quantitative
         4190           Social
         4199           Psychology, other (specify)3

SOCIAL SCIENCES

ааааааааа0693           Biological Anthropology
         0695           Cultural Anthropology4
         0694           Linguistic Anthropology
         0696           Medical Anthropology
         0697           Physical Anthropology
         0699           Anthropology, other (specify)
         0610           Archaeology4
         9818           Demography
         8599           Economics 
                             (Business Administration not eligible)
         8799           Geography
         9099           History of Science
         9499           International Relations1
         9299           Linguistics
         9098           Philosophy of Science
         9399           Political Science
         9799           Public Policy1
         9599           Sociology (Social Work not eligible)
         9699           Urban and Regional Planning1
         9899           Social Sciences, other (specify)4

Note: For further clarification of research areas supported by the NSF, see the National Science Foundation Guide to Programs at https://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf04009.

1    Warning:  Fellowships are awarded only for study leading to research-based masterТs or doctoral degrees.  Practice-oriented master's programs are not eligible for support in this program. PhD programs must be science-based.

2    Warning:  Research with disease-related goals is not eligible for support by NSF.  Applicants in this field will be judged ineligible if their Proposed Plan of Research has disease-related goals and/or is insufficiently focused on basic research questions.

3    Warning:  Clinical and counseling psychology are generally not supported in this program; applicants in this field will be judged ineligible if their Proposed Plan of Research focuses on mental disease, abnormality or malfunction.

4     Warning:  Applicants in these fields may be judged ineligible if the Proposed Plan of Research does not demonstrate a scientific approach.



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