NSF 06-592: Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
Program Solicitation
Document Information
Document History
- Posted: August 1, 2006
- Replaces: NSF 05-601
- Replaced by: NSF 07-576
This document has been archived.
Program Solicitation
NSF 06-592
Replaces Document(s):
NSF 05-601
 |
National Science Foundation Directorate for Education & Human Resources |
Application Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter's local time):
November 01, 2006
Interdisciplinary Fields of Study
November 03, 2006
Mathematical Sciences and Computer and Information Sciences and Engineering
November 06, 2006
Social Sciences, Psychology, and Geosciences
November 08, 2006
Life Sciences
November 09, 2006
Engineering
November 13, 2006
Chemistry, Physics & Astronomy
Revision Notes
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Application deadlines have changed. A new deadline was added for interdisciplinary fields of study and research.
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Applicants are required to use a 12-point font and one-inch margin and to comply with the two-page limitation for each essay. The one-inch margin was added for clarity.
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The transcript request form mentioned in the Applicant User Guide is no longer required.
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Reporting requirements were revised to clarify the policy regarding the annual activity report and to add language regarding research involving human subjects and program evaluation. The language was changed to indicate that all fellows are required to submit an annual activity report regardless to tenure status.
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The certifications required prior to the receipt of fellowship funds were added to the application for electronic signature, replacing the Certifications Page submitted by fellows after award. This was done to align the fellowship application more closely to standard NSF business practices.
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 master’s 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):
-
Grad Research Fellowship Operations Center, telephone: 866-673-6188, email: help@nsfgradfellows.org
Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):
- 47.076 --- Education and Human Resources
Award Information
Anticipated Type of Award: Fellowship Grant
Estimated Number of Awards: 1000
Anticipated Funding Amount: $40,500,000 for new fellowships in FY 2007 pending the availability of funds.
Eligibility Information
Organization Limit: Fellowship applications must be submitted by the prospective Fellow. Applicants must register with Fastlane (https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/) 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:
Refer to Section IV. Eligibility Information.
Limit on Number of Applications per PI:
1 - Applicants are limited to only one application in this competition.
Applicant Preparation and Submission Instructions
A. Application Preparation Instructions
- Letters of Intent: Not Applicable
- Application 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 by NSF.
- 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. submitter's local
time):
November 01, 2006
Interdisciplinary Fields of Study
November 03, 2006
Mathematical Sciences and Computer and Information Sciences and Engineering
November 06, 2006
Social Sciences, Psychology, and Geosciences
November 08, 2006
Life Sciences
November 09, 2006
Engineering
November 13, 2006
Chemistry, Physics & Astronomy
Application Review Information Criteria
Merit Review Criteria: National Science Board approved criteria apply.
Award Administration Information
Award Conditions: Standard NSF award conditions apply
Reporting Requirements: See reporting requirements in full text of solicitation.
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 master’s 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 nation’s 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 master’s or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) relevant to the mission of the National Science Foundation (See NSF-Supported Fields of Study).
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 2007. In most cases, this will be demonstrated by a bachelor’s degree earned prior to Fall 2007.
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 handling 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 must provide a detailed profile of his or her relevant educational and research 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. Award Information
The NSF expects to award 1,000 Graduate Research Fellowships under this program solicitation. The affiliated institution receives a $40,500 award for the costs described below. Fellows Abroad receive direct NSF grant awards up to the same amount.
The Graduate Research Fellowship stipend currently is $30,000 for a 12-month tenure period, prorated monthly at $2,500 for shorter periods.
The cost of education allowance currently is $10,500 per tenure year. For Fellows Abroad, all tuition and assessed fees will be reimbursed to the Fellow up to a maximum of $10,500 per tenure year. Refer to the Information for Graduate Fellows document for restrictions on the use of the cost-of-education allowance.
Fellows are allowed an additional one-time $1,000 International Research Travel Allowance upon submission of an approved travel request. The planned travel must extend for a continuous 90-day period.
All awards will be for a maximum of three years usable over a five-year period. The anticipated award date is late March 2007.
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.
IV. Eligibility Information
Organization Limit: Fellowship applications must be submitted by the prospective Fellow. Applicants must register with Fastlane (https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/) 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:
Refer to Section IV. Eligibility Information.
Limit on Number of Applications per PI:
1 - Applicants are limited to only one application in this competition.
Additional Eligibility Info:
The three eligibility requirements for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program -- citizenship, degree requirements, and field of study -- are described below. Applicants are advised to read the entire program solicitation carefully to be sure that the requirements are interpreted properly. Applicants must exercise judgment in assessing eligibility. 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 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. Below are general guidelines for determining eligibility according to the degree requirements criterion.
Field of Study
Fellowships are awarded for graduate study leading to research-based master’s or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics supported by the National Science Foundation (See NSF-Supported Fields of Study). The NSF welcomes applications for interdisciplinary programs of study and research. However, applicants are instructed to indicate the primary field of study for the proposed graduate program in the Fastlane Application Module so that the application can be assigned to the most appropriate review panel. The submission deadline for interdisciplinary applications is November 1, 2006. The guidelines below should be used to assess eligibility according to the field of study criterion.
- If the field is interdisciplinary, but with a clear field of study, the application should be submitted under the primary field. Only truly interdisciplinary applications without a primary field should be submitted in the interdisciplinary field due date.
- Research in bioengineering with diagnosis or treatment-related goals may be 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 may also be eligible. Applications emphasizing bio should be submitted under life sciences on November 1, 2006 while those emphasizing engineering should be submitted under engineering on November 9, 2006.
- Basic research may be eligible, notwithstanding long-term implications to the medical sciences.
- Research in a policy science is eligible only if applicants are pursuing research oriented master's or Ph.D. degrees.
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Categories of study that are always ineligible:
- Clinical, counseling, business, or management fields, social work, education (except in science education Ph.D.), or history (except in history of science).
- Practice-oriented professional degree programs, joint science-professional degree programs (MD/PhD and JD/PhD), and medical, dental, law, or public health programs.
- Medical sciences or research with disease-related goals, including work on the etiology, diagnosis or treatment of physical or mental disease, abnormality or malfunction in human beings or animals, animal models of such conditions, or the development or testing of drugs or other procedures for their treatment .
The Graduate Research Fellowship Operations Center is responsible for processing applications and responding to questions about the program. For questions concerning these guidelines, contact the Graduate Research Fellowship Operations Center, 866-673-4737, international 202-331-3542. However, eligibility will be determined only on the basis of a completed submitted application.
Women in Engineering and Computer and Information Science Awards
The Women in Engineering and Computer and Information Science awards are for women who intend to pursue graduate research degrees in Engineering or Computer and Information Science and Engineering. Additional funding for these awards is provided by the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and the Directorate for Engineering. Eligibility and review criteria are the same as for applicants in other fields.
V. Application Preparation And Submission Instructions
A. Application Preparation Instructions
Fellowship applications must be submitted electronically using the NSF Fastlane Graduate Research Fellowship Program Application Module at http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/ according to the field of study deadline. Thus, applicants must first register as a Fastlane user at that web site. The official transcript(s) is due at the same time as the field of study and must be submitted to the GRF Operations Center at the address shown in this section. See the Applicant User Guide for instructions on completing and submitting an application.
The Fastlane Application Module includes the following information: Personal Profile, Education and Work Experience, Planned Graduate Program, Personal Statement, Previous Research Experience, Proposed Plan of Research, and References. Do not send other extraneous information or materials such as CDs, manuscripts, resumes, medical reports, or news clippings. These items will not be reviewed with your application. Images may be included but will be produced only in black and white.
Applicants must follow the instructions in the user guide and applicant module for completing each section of the application and adhere to the 12-point font, 1" margin, and page limitation for all essays. The essays must be written using the standard 8.5" x 11" page size. Failure to comply with these requirements could eliminate the application from consideration by review panels. Applicants are advised to submit applications early to avoid possible Fastlane system delays on the deadline dates.
Supplemental Application Materials are described below.
- Official Academic Transcript(s) (Must be received by field of study deadline)
Academic transcripts are required for all institutions listed in the applicant module, excluding Fall 2006. Required transcripts include academic transcripts from the baccalaureate institution and transcripts for all completed graduate work. Transcripts must be received by the field of study application deadline and 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 (Optional -- Due November 30, 2006)
It is recommended that applicants have both the GRE General and Subject Test scores reported. Only GRE scores from tests taken between October 1, 2001 and November 30, 2006 submitted by ETS will be accepted for the 2007 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship competition. GRE scores may be reported only by using the application module. Applicants should NOT submit scores themselves directly.
- Three Reference Letters (Due December 1, 2006)
Applicants are required to submit three reference letters. Reference writers should use letterhead, if possible, and include the following information: Name and Title of reference writer, Department, and Institution or Organization. The reference letter should provide details explaining the nature of the relationship to the applicant, comments on the applicant's potential and prior research experiences, statements about the applicant's academic potential and prior research experiences, statements about the applicant's proposed research, and any other information to enable review panels to evaluate the application according to the NSF Merit Review Criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts.
Graduate Record Examination Registration
NSF will pay Subject Test registration fees for applicants who register for the November 04, 2006 administration under two conditions: (1) the NSF Fellowship application is the primary purpose, and (2) the GRE registration form for the November test is received at ETS no later than September 29, 2006.
The following condition is imposed on the reporting of the November 04, 2006 GRE Subject Test scores when NSF pays the test fee. Prior to May 1, 2007 these scores will be reported only for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, to the fellowship applicant, and to the applicant’s undergraduate institution.
Mail the Request for Payment of GRE Subject Test Fee form along with the GRE Subject Test registration form to:
ETS - GRE
Box 382013
Pittsburgh, PA 15251-8013
No online registration is available.
Application Completion Status
The Fastlane GRFP Application module will display the completion status of the fellowship application. The status function will indicate whether the application and the supplemental information, such as transcripts, reference letters, and GRE scores have been received. Applicants are strongly encouraged to make use of this feature and the Manage Reference feature to ensure all application materials have been received. Applicants must use the Fastlane user ID and password to access this information.
B. Budgetary Information
Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is not required by NSF in proposals submitted under this Program Solicitation.
Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:
No indirect costs are allowed.
Other Budgetary Limitations:
The NSF awards $40,500 to the affiliated institution for the costs described below. Fellows Abroad receive direct grant awards for up to the same amount.
The Graduate Research Fellowship Program fellowship stipend currently is $30,000 for a 12-month tenure period, prorated monthly at $2,500 for shorter periods.
The cost-of-education allowance currently is $10,500 per tenure year per fellow. For Fellows Abroad, all tuition and assessed fees are reimbursed to the Fellow up to a maximum of $10,500 per tenure year.
Fellows are allowed a one-time $1,000 International Research Travel Allowance.
C. Due Dates
- Application Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter's local
time):
November 01, 2006
Interdisciplinary Fields of Study
November 03, 2006
Mathematical Sciences and Computer and Information Sciences and Engineering
November 06, 2006
Social Sciences, Psychology, and Geosciences
November 08, 2006
Life Sciences
November 09, 2006
Engineering
November 13, 2006
Chemistry, Physics & Astronomy
D. Fastlane Requirements
Applicants are required to prepare and submit all applications for this program solicitation through the FastLane system. Detailed instructions for application preparation and submission via FastLane are available at: http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/a1/newstan.htm. For FastLane user support, call the FastLane Help Desk at 1-800-673-6188 or e-mail fastlane@nsf.gov. The FastLane Help Desk answers general technical questions related to the use of the FastLane system. Specific questions related to this program solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this solicitation.
VI. Application Review Information
The Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is designed to provide opportunities for pre-doctoral education that prepares students for a broad range of disciplinary and cross-disciplinary careers through its investment in intellectual capital. Applicants are expected to propose a holistic plan for graduate education that demonstrates the potential to successfully complete a research-based graduate degree and the potential to become an emerging knowledge expert in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
A. NSF Application Review Process
Applications will be reviewed by disciplinary panels of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers and other professional experts in graduate education. Applications will be assigned to disciplinary panels based on the applicant’s chosen field(s) of study. Thus, applicants are advised to select a field of study in the FastLane applicant module that is most closely aligned to the proposed graduate program of study and research plan.
Each application, therefore, will be reviewed independently on the basis of merit using all available information in the completed application. In considering applications, reviewers will be instructed to address the two Merit Review Criteria as approved by the National Science Board on March 28, 1997 – INTELLECTUAL MERIT and BROADER IMPACTS. Applicants, therefore, must address each criterion in their written statements to provide reviewers with the information necessary to respond fully to both. The following guidance is provided to interpret these requirements in the context of the Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
Intellectual Merit
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 will consider: the strength of the academic record, the proposed plan of research, the description of previous research experience, references, Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General and Subject Tests scores, and the appropriateness of the choice of institution relative to the proposed plan for graduate education and research.
Broader Impacts
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.
B. Application Review and Selection Process
Applications submitted in response to this program solicitation will be reviewed by Panel Review.
Please see Section A. above for a description of the review process.
VII. Award Administration Information
A. Notification of the Award
Notification of the fellowship award is made to the applicant by the Division of Graduate Education. Applicants whose applications are not selected for fellowship award 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 in late March 2007 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/grfp/) with the applicant User ID and password. Failure to comply with the deadline may result in revocation of the fellowship offer.
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. Fellowship awardees and Honorable Mention recipients with disabilities may apply for assistance by contacting grfp@nsf.gov.
C. Reporting Requirements
Annual Activity Report
Fellows are required to submit an Activity Report annually, regardless to tenure status, using NSF’s FastLane electronic fellowship management and reporting system. The system permits electronic submission and updating of activity reports, including information on research accomplishments and findings, presentations, publications, teaching and research assistantships, awards and recognitions, and other scholarly accomplishments.
Annual Tenure Declaration
Fellows must declare their intent to affiliate with an institution and to utilize the fellowship for the following year annually using the NSF FastLane fellowship management and reporting system. Failure to declare intent by the deadline established violates the terms and conditions for NSF fellowship awards.
Fellows Abroad
Starting Certificate: Fellows Abroad must submit the Fellowship Starting Certificate to initiate stipend payments and annually thereafter. The Starting Certificate must indicate the contact information for the Science Advisor at the affiliated institution.
ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment Enrollment Form: Fellows Abroad must submit the ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment Enrollment Form (SF 3881) to the Division of Financial Management at NSF in order for the U.S. Treasury Department to transmit payment data electronically to the Fellow’s U.S. bank account.
Research Involving Human Subjects
Projects involving research with human subjects must ensure that subjects are protected from research risks in conformance with the relevant federal policy known as the Common Rule (Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects, 45 CFR 690). All projects involving human subjects must either (1) have approval from the organization’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) before fellowship award or (2) must affirm that the IRB or an appropriate knowledgeable authority previously designated by the organization (not the Applicant) has declared the research exempt from IRB review, in accordance with the applicable subsection, as established in section 101(b) of the Common Rule. Applicants and Fellows are required to comply with this policy and adhere to the organization’s protocol for managing research involving human subjects.
Program Evaluation
The Division of Graduate Education (DGE) may conduct an on-going evaluation to determine how effectively the GRF program is achieving its goal to respond to the nation’s need for a globally prepared diverse science and engineering workforce. Additionally, it is highly desirable to have a structured means of tracking Fellows beyond graduation to gauge the extent to which they follow a career path consistent with the intent of the program and to assess the impact the NSF fellowship has had on their graduate education experience. Accordingly, Fellows may be contacted during and after the completion of this award for updates on various aspects of their employment history, professional activities and accomplishments, and other information helpful in evaluating the impact of the program. Fellows and affiliated institutions should be prepared to cooperate in program-level evaluations conducted by the NSF and/or contracted evaluators.
VIII. Agency Contacts
General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:
-
Grad Research Fellowship Operations Center, telephone: 866-673-6188, email: help@nsfgradfellows.org
For questions related to the use of FastLane, contact:
- FastLane Help Desk, telephone: 1-800-673-6188; e-mail: fastlane@nsf.gov.
The Graduate Research Fellowship Operations Center is responsible for processing applications and responding to requests for information. For information and questions during the application process please call the Center:
- Toll Free 866-NSF-GRFP (866-673-4737), International Phone 202-331-3542, E-mail: help@nsfgradfellows.org
IX. Other Information
The NSF Website provides the most comprehensive source of information on NSF Directorates (including contact information), programs and funding opportunities. Use of this Website by potential proposers is strongly encouraged. In addition, MyNSF (formerly the Custom News Service)is an information-delivery system designed to keep potential proposers and other interested parties apprised of new NSF funding opportunities and publications, important changes in proposal and award policies and procedures, and upcoming NSF Regional Grants Conferences. Subscribers are informed through e-mail or the user's Web browser each time new publications are issued that match their identified interests. MyNSF also is available on NSF's Website at https://www.nsf.gov/mynsf/.
Grants.gov provides an additional electronic capability to search for Federal government-wide grant opportunities. NSF funding opportunities may be accessed via this new mechanism. Further information on Grants.gov may be obtained at http://www.grants.gov.
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 Website at https://www.nsf.gov/home/ebulletin, and in individual program announcements/solicitations. Subscribers can also sign up for MyNSF, formerly the Custom News Service, at (https://www.nsf.gov/home/cns/start.htm) to be notified of new funding opportunities that become available.
International Research Fellowship Program (NSF 06-582)
Alliances for Broadening Participation in STEM (ABEP) (NSF 06-552)
Discovery Corps Fellowships (NSF 05-593)
CEDAR, GEM, and SHINE Postdoctoral Research (NSF 06-584)
Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) (NSF 06-525)
Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF 05-592)
Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships and Supporting Activities (NSF 06-586)
Graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education (GK-12) (NSF 05-556)
About The National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent Federal agency created by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 USC 1861-75). The Act states the purpose of the NSF is "to promote the progress of science; [and] to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare by supporting research and education in all fields of science and engineering."
NSF funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. It does this through grants and cooperative agreements to more than 2,000 colleges, universities, K-12 school systems, businesses, informal science organizations and other research organizations throughout the US. The Foundation accounts for about one-fourth of Federal support to academic institutions for basic research.
NSF receives approximately 40,000 proposals each year for research, education and training projects, of which approximately 11,000 are funded. In addition, the Foundation receives several thousand applications for graduate and postdoctoral fellowships. The agency operates no laboratories itself but does support National Research Centers, user facilities, certain oceanographic vessels and Antarctic research stations. The Foundation also supports cooperative research between universities and industry, US participation in international scientific and engineering efforts, and educational activities at every academic level.
Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities to work on NSF-supported projects. See Grant Proposal Guide Chapter II, Section D.2 for instructions regarding preparation of these types of proposals.
The National Science Foundation has Telephonic Device for the Deaf (TDD) and Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) capabilities that enable individuals with hearing impairments to communicate with the Foundation about NSF programs, employment or general information. TDD may be accessed at (703) 292-5090 and (800) 281-8749, FIRS at (800) 877-8339.
The National Science Foundation Information Center may be reached at (703) 292-5111.
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; and 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 proposer 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 or other entities needing information regarding applicants or nominees as part of a joint application review process, or in order to coordinate programs or policy; 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," 69 Federal Register 26410 (May 12, 2004), and NSF-51, "Reviewer/Proposal File and Associated Records, " 69 Federal Register 26410 (May 12, 2004). 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 Office of Management and Budget (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 the burden estimate and any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:
Suzanne H. Plimpton
Reports Clearance Officer
Division of Administrative Services
National Science Foundation
Arlington, VA 22230
X. Appendix
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
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)
7240 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 and Informatics
7220 Software Engineering – Operating Systems and Middleware
0019 Software Engineering – Computer Architecture and Grids
0020 Software Engineering – Information Security and Assurance
7299 CISE, other (specify)
ENGINEERING
6210 Aeronautical and Aerospace
6240 Agricultural
6250 Bioengineering and Biomedical
6330 Chemical Engineering
6350 Civil Engineering
6388 Computer Engineering
6390 Electrical and Electronic
6741 Energy
6470 Engineering Mechanics
6532 Engineering Science
9996 Environmental
6580 Industrial Engineering
6476 Materials
6620 Mechanical Engineering
6660 Metallurgical
6740 Nuclear
6245 Ocean
6716 Petroleum
6480 Polymer
6585 Systems Engineering
6799 Engineering, other (specify)
GEOSCIENCES
5710 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
0399 Agriculture
0140 Agronomy
4510 Anatomy
4530 Animal Behavior
4531 Animal Science
0999 Biochemistry
1870 Biological Oceanography
1899 Biology
1299 Biophysics
1599 Botany (including Plant Physiology)
1820 Cell Biology
1860 Computational Biology
1840 Developmental Biology
1830 Ecology
4570 Entomology
9992 Environmental Sciences
1850 Evolutionary Biology
4590 Fish and Wildlife
0250 Forestry
2499 Genetics
0300 Horticulture
3293 Immunology
1874 Marine Biology
3299 Microbiology
1880 Molecular Biology
1829 Neurosciences
1890 Nutrition
2970 Pharmacology
3899 Physiology
1545 Plant Pathology
4540 Soil Science
1822 Structural Biology
3290 Virology
4699 Zoology
2299 Life Sciences, other (specify)
MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
7010 Algebra or Number Theory
7030 Analysis
7050 Applied 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
4999 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
4125 Cognitive
4120 Cognitive Neuroscience
0001 Computational Psychology
4130 Developmental
4150 Experimental or Comparative
4189 Industrial/Organizational
4155 Neuropsychology
4165 Perception and Psychophysics
4170 Personality and Individual Differences
0020 Psycholinguistics
4158 Physiological
4162 Quantitative
4190 Social
4199 Psychology, other (specify)
SOCIAL SCIENCES
0693 Biological Anthropology
0695 Cultural Anthropology
0694 Linguistic Anthropology
0696 Medical Anthropology
0697 Physical Anthropology
0610 Archaeology
0008 Cleometric History
0007 Communications
0003 Decision Making
9818 Demography
0006 Econometrics
8599 Economics (except Business Administration)
8799 Geography
9099 History of Science
9499 International Relations
0005 Law and Social Science
9299 Linguistics
9098 Philosophy of Science
9399 Political Science
9799 Public Policy
0004 Risk Analysis
0009 Science Policy
9599 Sociology (except Social Work)
9699 Urban and Regional Planning
9899 Social Sciences, other (specify)
- Warning: Individuals pursuing research in a policy science are eligible for funding only if they are pursuing research oriented Master’s or Ph.D. degrees.
- 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.
- 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.
