AquaFlux

@bananana - Mine was from 703. To those still waiting: It's hard to know since everything is in a black box about which FONs have finished or why some people get notified (either positive or negative) before others. They really should just create an online system for applicants to check the status of application and know where you are in the process. It could be that some later-reviewed FONs haven't been awarded yet. It could be that at the very final internal review (i.e., post-3 individual reviews, post- FON panel summary) some people did not make it. They have to even out over FONs and demographics etc. and use the internal review to do so. I would say if you have no confirmation by Friday, make a phone call to find out what's going on. We're getting group e-mails about how to contact our project officers and we have a 5/18 deadline for paperwork so the end result may not be good. =(. I don't want to scare you, but one of my recently graduated lab mates submitted her first year and the end result was that her application was never even reviewed because it was lost at some point in the ethereal submission process. But I think if you got that e-mail back at the end of November, that shouldn't be the issue. In any case, I feel your pain. Last year I waited a long time for a skin-of-my -teeth rejection; however, the reviewers' comments helped me re-frame (successfully) for this year. I really think most people (like I did last year) get nailed on the "broader implications" and "specific plans for outreach". I made sure to hit that harder this year, a task that was challenging in a shorter proposal. In any case, good luck and I hope you hear positive news soon.

FYI for those that have gotten a call (or not). I just got my e-mail outlining the rest of the process. It could be that some FONs are still having panel reviews which is why some people haven't heard or that some people are alternates in case someone will not be eligible to take the fellowship.

@mountaingirl and @waterworld - I was told I'd be getting an e-mail by Tuesday too, but I don't think that's the "official" notification. The "official" notification or offer letter will come by July-ish after we go through several more hoops (which I believe will be detailed in the e-mail we get in the next few days). I didn't get an e-mail but I expect we will get one in the next day or two.

Hi all. Awesome news today. This story is too good not to share. My orals were today and one hour before they were to begin I got THE call (I'm F1, last name V, in NC). So I added a slide at the end of my proposal presentation saying..."Guess what? I got THE call today". Committee was happy, and it took the edge off for sure. Good luck to those still waiting!

Yeah, 150 would be great, of course! Not trying to freak anyone out, just something going around the rumor mill here. Bluesand's info seems more credible. Though I'm curious how in this budget climate that the number increased from the 105 they originally indicated in the RFP. Time will tell! Here's hoping we will continue to hear nothing until the congratulatory phone call. =)

Don't you just love scuttlebutt? Somebody here heard that EPA's only offering 30 fellowships now due to budget cuts. Any confirmation? Also, It seems like first round rejections might still be trickling out. No word here for J1 on the East Coast. Everyday I chant "NO whammies, NO whammies" when I check my mail. Let the paranoia ensue!

Is it possible they're sending out rejections by FON and that's why many of us have heard nothing? (J1: Ecosystem Services: Aquatic Systems Ecology here)

The general content of, ahem, PigBenis's post makes it seem rather unreliable. Of course, if someone has legitimately heard, please chime in! I think they try to notify before April 15 because that's when new students have to notify schools of their matriculation, and funding is a huge factor in those decisions. Furthermore, if you look at posts for EPA STAR cycles from previous years on here, it does seem like there was a wave of notices over a couple weeks in early April. It makes the most sense for this to be based on FON. Given this is government, are we surprised there is a delay from the April 1 date? Money was likely already encumbered into budgeting for these fellowships, so I think it's less likely they are trying to trim the budget. More likely they are just trying to even out the pie across the US from a large pool of excellent candidates. I'm sure we'll start hearing things soon. Hopefully anyway! Good luck everyone!