Workshops and Peer Review Sessions for 2023 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Applicants
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program is a prestigious fellowship opportunity for STEM graduate students, including PhD students in the biosciences. The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Fellowships provide 3 years of funding for graduate education in a STEM field, and PhD students must apply no later than fall of the second year in their PhD program.
In August and September, ASPIRE is hosting two informational workshops about the NSF GRFP funding opportunity. ASPIRE will be facilitating a peer review of draft application essays by previous GRFP Winners or Honorable Mentions, specifically for biosciences PhD students who plan to apply this fall for the 2023 NSF GRFP. Attendance at one or both informational workshops will be required for applicants to participate in the peer review process.
Workshop #1 – Overview of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
In-Person on Wednesday, August 17, 4:00-5:00p, 208 Light Hall
This seminar will provide an overview of the NSF GRFP and strategies for developing a competitive application, followed by a question-and-answer session with recent GRFP award recipients. Topics will include the application process, how to decide when to apply and which “field of study” to choose, writing a compelling personal statements and research plan, and Vanderbilt and other resources for becoming a competitive applicant and writing your application. This event is hosted by the Vanderbilt ASPIRE Program and all interested graduate students are welcome. Advance registration is requested at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2022-NSF-GRFP-Overview Attendance at one or both workshops is required for 2023 Applicants who want to participate in the Peer Review.
Workshop #2 – Writing the NSF GRFP Personal Statement and Graduate Research Plan
On Zoom, Tuesday, September 6, 4:00-5:30p; Advance registration is required at https://vanderbilt.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwqcOyprzsrGN1AWNjpFgNvb2rZy1Op4cpz
This workshop will consist of a ~30-minute presentation about grant writing, with a particular focus on the requirements for the NSF GRFP Personal Statement and Research Plan essays. Following the presentation, participants will break into small groups for Q&A sessions with VU graduate students who are previous Winners/Honorable Mentions. During the breakout sessions, 2023 applicants may ask previous honorees for advice about the application process. Applicants are encouraged to bring advanced drafts of their personal statement and research plan to the session if you want advice about a particular element of the proposal. This event is hosted by the Vanderbilt ASPIRE Program; all are welcome at the opening presentation and the breakout sessions will be focused on biosciences graduate students. Attendance at one or both workshops is required for 2023 Applicants who want to participate in the Peer Review.
Peer Review of Bioscience-Related 2023 NSF GRFP Applications
Conducted asynchronously between September 23-October 3
Individual 2023 applicants in the biosciences will be paired with a previous NSF GRFP Winner or Honorable Mention to get feedback on their draft personal statement and research plan essays. To participate in the peer review process, 2023 applicants must attend at least one of the two overview workshops and submit complete or advanced drafts of their essays by September 23. ASPIRE will manage the collection of applicant materials and pairing of applicants with reviewers, who will provide written feedback to applicants by Oct. 3. If you plan to apply for the 2023 NSF GRFP and you would like to have your draft essays reviewed by a previous winner, please upload your essays using this form, no later than midnight on September 23.