Skigrl Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Hey all, there is a section under the regular Grants.gov submission section (section IV.E) that also says that we should get an email from EPA and to contact them if this email is not received. Since no one appears to have gotten it, I guess we don't have to worry. I did send an email to the NCER contact page informing them that the email 2015FellowshipsRFA@epa.gov isn't working because I need to contact them to clarify my eligibility. However, I used to be a federal grants administrator and I don't have a lot of confidence that the general mailboxes are checked all that often. I will let you know! atlremix, bradleyWB and kbolya1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee_grad Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 All applicants should be getting the email in question, not just those who applied under alternative methods. I managed to get in contact with NCER and they said they are aware of the issue and are working to solve it. No further instructions. kbolya1 and atlremix 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbolya1 Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 Nice! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyote_wrangler Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 So I got word from my advisor, who is signed up as a potential reviewer of STAR fellowship apps, that the process might be delayed a bit. She received the following in an email from the EPA a little over a week ago: "Thank you for registering as a potential reviewer for the EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Graduate Fellowship Program. Please note that the schedule for the review period has changed. The review period is now expected to begin in mid- to late August and continue through September. Depending on the number of applications to be reviewed per research topic, you will have 2-3 weeks to complete your individual evaluations prior to the virtual panel meetings (web meetings)." Looks like we won't be hearing back until after September... coffee_grad, cee15, bradleyWB and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlremix Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Thanks for the update. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee_grad Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 (edited) Womp womp. Thanks for the news coyote_wrangler. Also note that EPA's FY ends Sept 30, so if we don't hear in Sept, then that would be bad news. Seems like they're pushing the boundary based on that email. Edited July 6, 2015 by coffee_grad kbolya1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aricroot Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Hi All, I really appreciate all of the information people have shared on here. I also applied, and have been in the dark regarding my application status so it's helpful knowing I'm not alone. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlydoc17 Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 So I got word from my advisor, who is signed up as a potential reviewer of STAR fellowship apps, that the process might be delayed a bit. She received the following in an email from the EPA a little over a week ago: "Thank you for registering as a potential reviewer for the EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Graduate Fellowship Program. Please note that the schedule for the review period has changed. The review period is now expected to begin in mid- to late August and continue through September. Depending on the number of applications to be reviewed per research topic, you will have 2-3 weeks to complete your individual evaluations prior to the virtual panel meetings (web meetings)." Looks like we won't be hearing back until after September... Thank you! More waiting… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbolya1 Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 Ah, this blows because I would pass up a teaching assistantship at my school if I heard about this on time. However, the assistantship letters we receive happen in mid August, before school starts, and obviously need to be signed or not before the end of August when school begins. I wouldn't hate still having the TA-ship as well as the fellowship of course, but that was one of the points of applying- to have funding that would provide me with enough to allow me to work solely on research and coursework. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aconv13 Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 (edited) The EPA STAR webpage has a special announcement that applicants should get acknowledgement of application receipt by July 31st. At least it looks like it's starting to move foward.. Edited July 6, 2015 by aconv13 kbolya1, atlremix and bradleyWB 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corgimom Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 (edited) New to the forum! Coyote_Wrangler thanks especially for this update - very helpful. I applied under public health (D1) & was also depending very much on hearing back by August. It's nice knowing that there doesn't seem to be nearly as many applicants as in 2013. This may or may not be relevant this cycle, but the last cycle they sent out rejections ~6-8 weeks prior to the acceptance letters. Keeping my fingers crossed for all of us to get funded! *Edit: After reading your messages about the email notification (which I had not received) - I sent an email ~30min ago to 2015FellowshipsRFA@epa.gov and it seems to have gone through. No mailer demon email in my inbox nor my spam. Maybe they fixed it? So I got word from my advisor, who is signed up as a potential reviewer of STAR fellowship apps, that the process might be delayed a bit. She received the following in an email from the EPA a little over a week ago: "Thank you for registering as a potential reviewer for the EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Graduate Fellowship Program. Please note that the schedule for the review period has changed. The review period is now expected to begin in mid- to late August and continue through September. Depending on the number of applications to be reviewed per research topic, you will have 2-3 weeks to complete your individual evaluations prior to the virtual panel meetings (web meetings)." Looks like we won't be hearing back until after September... Edited July 6, 2015 by corgimom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbolya1 Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 (edited) maybe August decisions will happen nonetheless, one can hope for the seemingly impossible? Edited July 6, 2015 by kbolya1 atlremix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbolya1 Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 I know someone posted the update to reviewers, but is it bad form to try to e-mail or call later this month and just ask if the expected award notice time is still by August 1st... lol (even though we saw it isn't) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee_grad Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 I sent an email over the weekend and it didn't get kicked back either. I think the fellowshipsrfa email at least exists now! Not that its existence seems to change much, but still nice to know it is open so we can attempt to follow directions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corgimom Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 I just received this response from the email I sent yesterday! "Your application submitted in response to the 2015 Fellowship Program has been received and assigned the above ID number. Please keep this notification for verification of submission. Review and evaluation will take approximately 6 months. You will be notified when a decision has been made on your application. Most questions regarding your application can be answered by viewing the announcement athttp://epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2015/2015_star_gradfellow.html. For questions not covered in the announcement, please submit your question to 2015FellowshipsRFA@epa.gov and someone will get back with you.Anticipated award timeline:We understand how important this funding is for you as you engage in your pursuit of a graduate degree. Unfortunately, due to delays receiving the Congressional Fiscal Year 2015 budget and internal process delays, the Fellowship award process and timeline was impacted. At this time, we anticipated 2015 Fellows to be selected and notified of their award recommendation by September and receive grant funding by late October." Only a month off not too bad as long as there are no more delays.. coffee_grad 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlremix Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 (edited) I got the same e-mail. Frustrating Edited July 7, 2015 by atlremix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbolya1 Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newenglandgrad Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Thanks for the update Coyote_Wrangler! I just got the email as well. I'm confused about the waiver. Are they saying we should just 'give it a shot' to ask to have it waived? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee_grad Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 (edited) grrrr haven't received my receipt email yet UPDATE: alas, the elusive email. More waiting... Edited July 7, 2015 by coffee_grad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelk9 Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 (edited) Got a receipt email this am....but it stated: "Anticipated award timeline: We understand how important this funding is for you as you engage in your pursuit of a graduate degree. Unfortunately, due to delays receiving the Congressional Fiscal Year 2015 budget and internal process delays, the Fellowship award process and timeline was impacted. At this time, we anticipated 2015 Fellows to be selected and notified of their award recommendation by September and receive grant funding by late October. This award timeline may require that prospective Fellows talk with their institution directly about a waiver in tuition. The EPA does not have control over the receipt of a waiver or pardon for tuition by the Fellow's institution." Good luck everyone Edited July 7, 2015 by angelk9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbolya1 Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 What do they mean by that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbolya1 Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 Nvmd, I see, if awarded but not given the funding till October you could request a tuition waiver. "By September" could still mean award notices come out in late August! Got the e-mail as well, btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee_grad Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 I'm a little confused by this statement: "Review and evaluation will take approximately 6 months" if they indeed are trying to get these back anytime soon. Does anyone else find that odd? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbolya1 Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 Yeah- didn't make sense to include 6 months and "by September" in the same e-mail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlremix Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 I'm a little confused by this statement: "Review and evaluation will take approximately 6 months" if they indeed are trying to get these back anytime soon. Does anyone else find that odd? At first I thought they meant 6 months from the deadline, but that still doesn't quite add up. Maybe it was a remnant leftover from a modified copy/paste form response they send out to all grant submissions and not just the STAR fellowship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now