Plantguypete

Those are all very good questions! I am a senior undergraduate that was just awarded the NSF GRFP, I will try to answer them to the best of my knowledge. 1.) So, the reviewers have access to everything you submitted in the application (even demographical information - Affirmative Action). Anyways, they will look at the proposal, personal statement, research background, GPA, and your completed courses! The GPA is important, but not as important as the other sections (I was awarded with a 3.2 GPA, but they raved about my research experience). The NSF wants to confirm whether applicants are competent scientists and will award funding to those who are able to convince them. so as far as order of importance, it is my opinion that the order is: Proposal/research experience (research experience is talked about in both proposal and personal statement usually), then personal statement (primarily background and broader impacts), then GPA and Completed Courses. The reviewers will leave feedback (I got paragraphs!). They split the grading over 3 columns: the first talks about your competence, research experience, and the project; the second column talks about broader impacts (I included a broader impacts in both the personal statement and research proposal, each addressing the broader impacts of my extracurriculars and the broader impacts of my research, respectively); the third column is basically "final comments" where they discuss your background and more or less the final verdict of whether to fund or not. 2.) Rewards are not prioritized based on where the student is at in their career. This year there were roughly 750 undergraduates funded, 1250 graduates funded. There were 13,000 applications (fewer than previous years, but likely because there are no more second chances unless you don't get funded from an undergraduate application first shot). They are all reviewed at the same time (within the submission deadline until they make decisions). I do not believe it goes undergrads then grad students or vice versa. I think it is more or less randomized and applicants are reviewed by people who are in the same general field (mine was life sciences - Evolutionary Biology). With all that being said, there does seem to be affirmative action going on (which is wonderful! This is coming from a white male too! Screw Trump! haha). This year there was a much higher proportion of females and underrepresented ethnicities than many previous application seasons. One other thing I think happens is that the NSF does not like to read about curing diseases or human health. That is what the NIH is for. In fact, it seems as those the preliminary reviewers will kick back the application before actually fully reviewing proposal. In other words, you will find out a couple weeks after submission that the reviewers will not be reviewing the application. 3.) It is my understanding that both undergrads and grad students are held to the same standard. If it was different, one would expect there to be an even amount of both undergrads and grad students awarded (to even the playing field if you will). The only difference that I could imagine is that a 2nd year would already be settled into a lab and have a project in mind. I think it would actually be harder for an undergraduate to get the award because an undergraduate carried more risk. The reviewers do not know whether or not an undergraduate has been accepted somewhere at the point of application and awarding. An undergraduate would have to really convince the reviewers that he or she is a competent scientist (NSF could potentially waste 34K+12K every year for 3 years). Whereas a graduate student has the ability to know exactly what he or she will be doing and is able to express some expertise in their proposal. My proposal was based on what my undergraduate research was on and what would happen if I continued that research. I really hope this helped! I am happy to send you my materials if it helps you at all!

I wouldn't until you have decided. As far as the proposal statement goes, I can personally kinda see where an immediate rejection would be appropriate. The NSF likes to fund fundamental research. Health related proposals I believe are funded through the NIH fellowships/grants. Just my opinion.

So, this is what I have heard through the grapevine.... As an NSF GRFP awardee, you are highly desired. Email the PhD programs you were rejected from, better yet, call them. Tell them you were awarded the NSF GRFP. I am willing to bet they will happily bend the rules and let you in. Not only does the NSF save them money, but it also makes the program more distinguished. You have absolutely nothing to lose! You might even be able to contact programs you are interested in but did not apply for.

I applied to life sciences - Evolutionary Biology. I was awarded with VG/VG E/E VG/E

Sorry to hear you are disappointed; however, Honorable Mention is still astounding! You should be very proud of yourself! As for your questions, I have heard mixed reviews. I would normally say wait until your second year, but with who is running the White House and after all the cuts the past few days, I would think your first year to have a chance at guaranteed funding!

HAHA!!! I wish I could! Winter quarter finals start on Saturday! Will celebrate ASAP though! Congratulations to you as well!

I was just awarded it as well! As an undergraduate! So much for getting sleep tonight! haha

NSF GRFP Results released! I GOT CHOSEN!!!!!!! Holy Cow! Applied as an undergraduate! Will be attending UC Berkeley for Plant Biology (PhD). E/E VG/VG E/VG

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! I am from California.... So..... I am totally joking! I stated that I was in the wrong thread, but since you asked I will tell you! I am primarily interested in and my research focused on crop plants, namely legumes. I work on the legume-rhizobia symbiosis and how understanding the symbiosis can have positive impacts on sustainable agriculture in many impoverished and non-industrialized countries (many in Africa). Again, thank you all for cutting me some slack

So sorry! I am very new to this forum! Thank you for letting me know!

I actually kinda forgot about the NSF GRFP submission! I have been so occupied with graduate school recruitment events lately! It has finally slowed down and I am actually able to be a normal student for a little bit! I have been pretty pumped lately and am very happy with the results of my graduate school applications. I have been officially accepted to Oklahoma State University, UC Riverside, UC Berkeley; Yale University delayed their responses to secure more funding to admit more students than they originally set a quota for, they will notify applicants by this Friday (2/24)! I think I will be attending Yale University if accepted, if not, it will be UC Berkeley.