How to Fund your Graduate Studies : An Overview of National Graduate Fellowships and How to Compete for Them July 27, 2007 Office of Proposal Development.

How to Fund your Graduate How to Fund your Graduate StudiesStudies::

An Overview of National Graduate An Overview of National Graduate

Fellowships and How to Compete for ThemFellowships and How to Compete for Them

July 27, 2007

Office of Proposal Development

Office of the Vice President for Research

Robyn Pearson ([email protected])

Office of Vice President for ResearchOffice of Vice President for Research 22

For more informationFor more information

For an electronic version of this For an electronic version of this presentation and background presentation and background materialsmaterialsGo to http://opd.tamu.edu/ Go to http://opd.tamu.edu/ Click on “Seminar Materials” then “Seminars Click on “Seminar Materials” then “Seminars

by Date”by Date”Click on today’s dateClick on today’s date


How to Fund Your Graduate How to Fund Your Graduate StudiesStudies

Types of FellowshipsTypes of FellowshipsWhy bother?Why bother?Where’s the $$$?Where’s the $$$?How to apply and winHow to apply and win

Overview of the Process and StrategiesOverview of the Process and StrategiesExamplesExamples


Funding for Graduate StudentsFunding for Graduate StudentsResearch AssistantshipsResearch Assistantships

Funded by faculty’s research fundingFunded by faculty’s research fundingTypically funded through proposal processTypically funded through proposal process

Teaching AssistantshipsTeaching AssistantshipsFunded by departmentFunded by departmentTeaching-related responsibilities, separate Teaching-related responsibilities, separate

from researchfrom researchGraduate FellowshipsGraduate FellowshipsDissertation GrantsDissertation Grants


The ContinuumThe Continuum

Senior Year Undergrad

Graduate School

1st Year Finish classes Dissertation Work

Fellowships for Early Grad Students

Post-Doc

Dissertation Grants

Generic Fellowships


Two Types of FellowshipsTwo Types of FellowshipsAwards directly to StudentsAwards directly to Students

Students compete directly for awardStudents compete directly for awardAward is portable with studentAward is portable with studentExamples:Examples:

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship NSF Graduate Research Fellowship National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate

FellowshipFellowship J. Javits, Ford Foundation, Humane Studies FellowshipsJ. Javits, Ford Foundation, Humane Studies Fellowships Many targeted fellowships (e.g., Semiconductor Research Many targeted fellowships (e.g., Semiconductor Research

Graduate Fellowship, Whitaker Fellowship for Biomedical Graduate Fellowship, Whitaker Fellowship for Biomedical Engineering, AT&T Fellowship, etc.)Engineering, AT&T Fellowship, etc.)


Two Types of FellowshipsTwo Types of Fellowships

Institutional AwardsInstitutional AwardsAwarded to departments, programs, etc.Awarded to departments, programs, etc.Students selected by department, Students selected by department,

program or facultyprogram or facultyExamples: Graduate Assistantships in Examples: Graduate Assistantships in

Areas of National Need (GAANN), larger Areas of National Need (GAANN), larger programs (IGERT, AGEP, etc.)programs (IGERT, AGEP, etc.)


Graduate Fellowships – why bother?Graduate Fellowships – why bother?

Guaranteed source of fundingGuaranteed source of fundingStipends generally much higher than Stipends generally much higher than

department RAs (NSF stipend $30K/yr)department RAs (NSF stipend $30K/yr)Fellowships are portable more Fellowships are portable more

autonomy in selecting advisor, research autonomy in selecting advisor, research projectproject

Fellowship can be path to a job (e.g., Fellowship can be path to a job (e.g., National Lab)National Lab)


Finding Potential Fellowships Finding Potential Fellowships

Fellowship programs often targeted based Fellowship programs often targeted based on discipline, demographic group, career on discipline, demographic group, career interestsinterestsLook for the fellowship programs that apply to Look for the fellowship programs that apply to

youyouExcellent web resources availableExcellent web resources availableTalk to faculty in your departmentTalk to faculty in your department


Finding Potential FellowshipsFinding Potential FellowshipsVariety of fundersVariety of funders

Federal agencies (NSF, DoD, NASA, NIH, EPA, Federal agencies (NSF, DoD, NASA, NIH, EPA, NEH, USDA, Dept. of Ed., Dept. Homeland Security, NEH, USDA, Dept. of Ed., Dept. Homeland Security, etc.)etc.)

FoundationsFoundations Professional OrganizationsProfessional Organizations CorporationsCorporations

For various stages For various stages Early Graduate trainingEarly Graduate training Dissertation GrantDissertation Grant Post-doctoralPost-doctoral


Using the Internet to Find Using the Internet to Find FellowshipsFellowships

See OPD webpageSee OPD webpage See handoutSee handout Two types of sitesTwo types of sites

Lists sorted by topic area or dateLists sorted by topic area or dateCornell: http://www.gradschool.cornell.edu/?p=132Cornell: http://www.gradschool.cornell.edu/?p=132

Specific agency fellowshipsSpecific agency fellowshipsDHS Graduate Fellowship: DHS Graduate Fellowship:

http://www.orau.gov/dhsed/http://www.orau.gov/dhsed/


Example National FellowshipsExample National Fellowships National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation, ~ 1000 awarded annually, usually due , ~ 1000 awarded annually, usually due

early November annually early November annually

https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/ NASA Earth Systems Science FellowshipsNASA Earth Systems Science Fellowships, ~ 50 new fellowships , ~ 50 new fellowships

awarded annually, due February awarded annually, due February

http://research.hq.nasa.gov/code_y/nra/current/Fellowship-ESS05/main.htmhttp://research.hq.nasa.gov/code_y/nra/current/Fellowship-ESS05/main.htmll

Department of Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Department of Defense Science and Engineering Graduate FellowshipsFellowships, ~ 200 awarded annually, due January , ~ 200 awarded annually, due January http://www.asee.org/ndseg/index.cfmhttp://www.asee.org/ndseg/index.cfm

EPA STAR and GRO FellowshipsEPA STAR and GRO Fellowships, ~ 115 awarded annually, due Oct. , ~ 115 awarded annually, due Oct. or Nov. annually or Nov. annually http://es.epa.gov/ncer/fellow/http://es.epa.gov/ncer/fellow/

DHSDHS,, ~ 60 awarded annually due Jan. annually ~ 60 awarded annually due Jan. annually http://www.orau.gov/dhsed/http://www.orau.gov/dhsed/ Dept. of EducationDept. of Education, J. K. Javits Fellowships (48) due Oct. annually, J. K. Javits Fellowships (48) due Oct. annually

http://www.ed.gov/programs/jacobjavits/index.html http://www.ed.gov/programs/jacobjavits/index.html


National Defense Science and National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate FellowshipEngineering Graduate Fellowship

http://www.asee.org/ndseg/http://www.asee.org/ndseg/ Eligibility:Eligibility:

US citizen or nationalUS citizen or national Pursuing doctoral degree in, or closely related to, one Pursuing doctoral degree in, or closely related to, one

of the following disciplines having the greatest benefit of the following disciplines having the greatest benefit to national security:to national security:Aeronautical and Astronautical Eng Aeronautical and Astronautical Eng BiosciencesBiosciencesChemical EngineeringChemical EngineeringChemistryChemistryCivil EngineeringCivil EngineeringCognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sci. Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sci. Computer and Computational ScienceComputer and Computational ScienceElectrical EngineeringElectrical EngineeringPhysicsPhysics

GeosciencesGeosciencesMaterials Science and Materials Science and EngineeringEngineeringMathematicsMathematicsMechanical EngineeringMechanical EngineeringNaval Architecture and Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering Ocean EngineeringOceanographyOceanography


Fellowships for MinoritiesFellowships for Minorities Ford Foundation - Predoctoral Fellowships for Ford Foundation - Predoctoral Fellowships for

MinoritiesMinorities.. The $21,000/year fellowships are awarded to individual The $21,000/year fellowships are awarded to individual minority students who demonstrate superior scholarship and show promise minority students who demonstrate superior scholarship and show promise for future achievement as scholars, researchers, and teachers. November for future achievement as scholars, researchers, and teachers. November deadline. deadline. http://http://www.nationalacademies.orgwww.nationalacademies.org/fellowships/fellowships

American Sociological Association - Minority American Sociological Association - Minority Fellowship ProgramFellowship Program.. An annual stipend of $14,688 for up to three An annual stipend of $14,688 for up to three years for minority graduate students in the early stages of sociology years for minority graduate students in the early stages of sociology graduate programs with emphasis on mental health issues and research. graduate programs with emphasis on mental health issues and research. January deadline.January deadline. http://asanet.org/page.ww?http://asanet.org/page.ww?section=Funding&name=Minority+Fellowship+Program section=Funding&name=Minority+Fellowship+Program

GEM PhD Engineering Fellowship Program.GEM PhD Engineering Fellowship Program. Min $14, Min $14, 000 for 5 years for engineering (M.S, PhD) and science (PhD)majors. Due 000 for 5 years for engineering (M.S, PhD) and science (PhD)majors. Due November. November. http://www.gemfellowship.org/gem_fellowship/overview.php http://www.gemfellowship.org/gem_fellowship/overview.php


Fellowships for MinoritiesFellowships for Minorities United Negro College Fund & Merck Foundation Science United Negro College Fund & Merck Foundation Science

Initiative - Graduate Science Research Dissertation Initiative - Graduate Science Research Dissertation FellowshipsFellowships.. Up to $42,000 stipend to assist African-American graduate Up to $42,000 stipend to assist African-American graduate students in completing coursework, conducting research, and preparing students in completing coursework, conducting research, and preparing dissertation in the biomedical sciences. December deadline. dissertation in the biomedical sciences. December deadline. http://http://

www.uncf.org/merck/programs/grad.htmwww.uncf.org/merck/programs/grad.htm Social Science Research CouncilSocial Science Research Council and the and the Andrew W. Mellon Andrew W. Mellon

FoundationFoundation -- SSRC-Mellon Minority Fellowship ProgramSSRC-Mellon Minority Fellowship Program.. Up to Up to $,5000 to increase number of African Americans, Latinos, and Native $,5000 to increase number of African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans in the arts and sciences for students enrolled in Ph.D. programs Americans in the arts and sciences for students enrolled in Ph.D. programs in Mellon-designated fields. Citizenship: unspecified. Deadline: November in Mellon-designated fields. Citizenship: unspecified. Deadline: November (annual). (annual). http://http://www.ssrc.org/fellowships/mellonwww.ssrc.org/fellowships/mellon//

National Physical Science Consortium Traditional Fellowships National Physical Science Consortium Traditional Fellowships for Minorities and Women. for Minorities and Women. $15,000 stipend for 2 to 3 years. Nov. $15,000 stipend for 2 to 3 years. Nov. deadline. deadline. http://www.npsc.orghttp://www.npsc.org


Fellowships for WomenFellowships for Women American Association of University Women - American Association of University Women -

International FellowshipsInternational Fellowships.. $18,000 awards to women $18,000 awards to women graduate students studying in the United States who are graduate students studying in the United States who are not U.S. citizens. December deadline. not U.S. citizens. December deadline. http://http://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/international.cfmwww.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/international.cfm

American Association of University Women - American Association of University Women - Selected Professions FellowshipsSelected Professions Fellowships.. Approximately Approximately $5,000-12,000 awards for women in the final year of $5,000-12,000 awards for women in the final year of graduate study in historically under-represented graduate study in historically under-represented professions, including Business Administration, Law, professions, including Business Administration, Law, Medicine, Architecture, Computer Sciences, Medicine, Architecture, Computer Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering. January deadline. Mathematics, and Engineering. January deadline. http://http://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/selected.cfmwww.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/selected.cfm


Analysis of Applicant Instructions/RFPAnalysis of Applicant Instructions/RFP What are eligibility requirements?What are eligibility requirements? When is the application due?When is the application due? How many are awarded each year?How many are awarded each year? Apply through university or as individual?Apply through university or as individual? What criteria are used to evaluate applications?What criteria are used to evaluate applications?

Check with faculty in your department (may have been Check with faculty in your department (may have been on review panel) on review panel)

Look at goals of funding organizationLook at goals of funding organization What are the required components of the What are the required components of the

application and what is application process?application and what is application process? Contact awarding organization if you have Contact awarding organization if you have

questionsquestions


Typical Application ComponentsTypical Application Components

Biographical information/ResumeBiographical information/ResumeGRE scoresGRE scoresTranscriptTranscriptLetters of ReferenceLetters of ReferenceEssay/ProposalEssay/Proposal

Discussion of proposed researchDiscussion of proposed researchMay include discussion of one or more May include discussion of one or more

research experiencesresearch experiencesFollow guidelines to the letterFollow guidelines to the letter


Fellowship Application is Fellowship Application is “Mini-Research Proposal”“Mini-Research Proposal”

You are selling yourself and your ideasYou are selling yourself and your ideas Identify fellowship opportunities for which Identify fellowship opportunities for which

you are eligibleyou are eligibleAnalyze what they are looking for (review Analyze what they are looking for (review

criteria)criteria)Write best possible applicationWrite best possible applicationGather and submit other required material Gather and submit other required material

(references, GRE scores, etc.)(references, GRE scores, etc.)


What are They Looking For?What are They Looking For? Will you further the goals of the funder?Will you further the goals of the funder? Will you be a successful graduate student and Will you be a successful graduate student and

researcher?researcher? Do you understand the research process?Do you understand the research process? Do you do your homework? Do you do your homework?

i.e., read the literature in your area, understand previous work, i.e., read the literature in your area, understand previous work, etc.etc.

Can you express your ideas well?Can you express your ideas well? Is your selected area of research something they Is your selected area of research something they

want to support?want to support? Varies in importance depending on mission of funderVaries in importance depending on mission of funder

Are you one of the best candidates in the Are you one of the best candidates in the applicant pool?applicant pool?


Putting together your applicationPutting together your applicationFind faculty mentor(s) Find faculty mentor(s)

Faculty with whom you plan to do your Faculty with whom you plan to do your graduate researchgraduate research

Faculty in your undergraduate departmentFaculty in your undergraduate departmentGraduate coordinator in your departmentGraduate coordinator in your departmentThey will provide advice on research plan, They will provide advice on research plan,

critique your writingcritique your writingAsk for references early and checkAsk for references early and checkMake sure GRE scores, transcripts, etc. Make sure GRE scores, transcripts, etc.

will be available on timewill be available on time


Writing StrategiesWriting StrategiesStart early and get feedback from your Start early and get feedback from your

peers and professors!peers and professors!Write in a scholarly styleWrite in a scholarly style

Make it clear you understand your subjectMake it clear you understand your subjectCite references if allowedCite references if allowed

Make it clear that you understand the Make it clear that you understand the research processresearch process

Clear hypothesis, goals, objectivesClear hypothesis, goals, objectivesDiscussion of your planned approach with Discussion of your planned approach with

sufficient detail to show your understanding of the sufficient detail to show your understanding of the topictopic


Hotlinks to Writing StrategiesHotlinks to Writing Strategies

Many resources available on how to write good Many resources available on how to write good proposalsproposals

See OPD website See OPD website ““Grant Doctor” in Science MagazineGrant Doctor” in Science Magazine Agency-specific guidesAgency-specific guides GoogleGoogle

Excellent books on writingExcellent books on writing Strunk and White (http://www.bartleby.com/141/)Strunk and White (http://www.bartleby.com/141/) The Art of Writing ProposalsThe Art of Writing Proposals, by the Social Science , by the Social Science

Research Council, available online at Research Council, available online at http://http://www.ssrc.orgwww.ssrc.org/publications//publications/


Evaluation & Review CriteriaEvaluation & Review Criteria

Read application, related information Read application, related information carefully carefully find out what they are looking forfind out what they are looking for

Investigate goals and culture of funderInvestigate goals and culture of funderReflect vision of the funding agencyReflect vision of the funding agency


ReferencesReferencesSelect faculty who know you wellSelect faculty who know you wellSelect faculty who will give you a positive Select faculty who will give you a positive

reference!reference!Undergraduate research experience great Undergraduate research experience great

opportunity to develop referencesopportunity to develop referencesFollow up and make sure they sent in your Follow up and make sure they sent in your

reference letterreference letter


Strategies to WinStrategies to Win

Good grades and GRE scores helpGood grades and GRE scores helpGPAs typically 3.7 or higher but not alwaysGPAs typically 3.7 or higher but not always

Undergraduate research experienceUndergraduate research experienceGood essay answersGood essay answersGreat research proposalGreat research proposalExcellent referencesExcellent references


Example: NSF Graduate Example: NSF Graduate Research FellowshipsResearch Fellowships

Typically due early NovemberTypically due early November1000 to be awarded this year1000 to be awarded this yearFor any research area funded by NSFFor any research area funded by NSF

Includes Education, Social and Behavioral Includes Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences as well as Science and EngineeringSciences as well as Science and Engineering

Look through NSF web site at Look through NSF web site at www.nsf.govwww.nsf.gov for research areasfor research areas


How to Apply for NSF FellowshipHow to Apply for NSF FellowshipSee See www.ehr.nsf.gov/dge/programs/grf/www.ehr.nsf.gov/dge/programs/grf/

and https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/ for and https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/ for application instructions, FAQ, etc.application instructions, FAQ, etc.

Apply on-line using NSF’s “Fastlane” Apply on-line using NSF’s “Fastlane” system at www.fastlane.nsf.govsystem at www.fastlane.nsf.gov

Parts of applicationParts of application Information form (name, school, etc.) Information form (name, school, etc.) Application form (includes two essay questions)Application form (includes two essay questions) Proposed Plan of ResearchProposed Plan of Research Previous Research ExperiencePrevious Research Experience ReferencesReferences GRE, GPA form and transcript request formGRE, GPA form and transcript request form


NSF FellowshipNSF Fellowship

$30,000 per year plus $10,500 education $30,000 per year plus $10,500 education allowance for 3 yearsallowance for 3 years

Must be US Citizen or permanent residentMust be US Citizen or permanent residentMay apply:May apply:

during undergrad senior yearduring undergrad senior yearprior to or during 1prior to or during 1stst year of grad school, year of grad school, or at beginning of 2or at beginning of 2ndnd year of grad school year of grad school


Research ProposalsResearch Proposals Be original.Be original.

““A less polished essay that shows evidence of the student’s own A less polished essay that shows evidence of the student’s own creativity is usually more impressive than a sophisticated plan creativity is usually more impressive than a sophisticated plan that is not original.”that is not original.”

Be rigorous. Be rigorous. ““The best research proposals…demonstrate that the applicant The best research proposals…demonstrate that the applicant

understands how to conduct research in his/her discipline using understands how to conduct research in his/her discipline using the scientific method”the scientific method”

Be clear and well-organized. Be clear and well-organized. ““The best proposals… demonstrate creativity in thinking about The best proposals… demonstrate creativity in thinking about

research questions as well as communication and organizational research questions as well as communication and organizational skills.”skills.”


Finally….Finally….

Start earlyStart earlyDo your homeworkDo your homeworkAsk for helpAsk for help

The Office of Proposal Development is The Office of Proposal Development is available to help:available to help:

Robyn Pearson [email protected] Robyn Pearson [email protected]

Lucy Deckard [email protected] Lucy Deckard [email protected]

How to Fund your Graduate Studies : An Overview of National Graduate Fellowships and How to Compete for Them July 27, 2007 Office of Proposal Development.

Documents

graduate assistantships

office of vice president

students students

targeted fellowships

types of fellowships

humane studies fellowships

whitaker fellowship

att fellowship