Questions for NSF GRFP

[c07030]

Hello,

I have a question about reserve and tenure status, and the transition between the two. In the "administrative guide" it states that reserve and tenure status are taken in 12 month periods, and that I am able to choose between starting in June and September as a start date. However, it also states " A Fellow may change between Statuses from one year to the next, but may only change the Fellowship Year start (Summer or Fall) when switching between Statuses (e.g., Reserve to Tenure)".

The reason that I am asking about this is that I will have support from my department this coming summer, so I would like to start my reserve status this coming fall. However, I am not sure if I will have support for the following summer. Since I have to declare my reserve/tenure status by May 1st of next year, would I be able to have my tenure start in June of 2012, even though I started my reserve status in September of 2011? This does not fit with the "12 month period" of reserve status, but makes more sense.

Does anyone know the answer to this? It's pretty surprising they will not even speak to you on the phone.

[husky]

Hello,

I have a question about reserve and tenure status, and the transition between the two. In the "administrative guide" it states that reserve and tenure status are taken in 12 month periods, and that I am able to choose between starting in June and September as a start date. However, it also states " A Fellow may change between Statuses from one year to the next, but may only change the Fellowship Year start (Summer or Fall) when switching between Statuses (e.g., Reserve to Tenure)".

The reason that I am asking about this is that I will have support from my department this coming summer, so I would like to start my reserve status this coming fall. However, I am not sure if I will have support for the following summer. Since I have to declare my reserve/tenure status by May 1st of next year, would I be able to have my tenure start in June of 2012, even though I started my reserve status in September of 2011? This does not fit with the "12 month period" of reserve status, but makes more sense.

Does anyone know the answer to this? It's pretty surprising they will not even speak to you on the phone.

From what you've described, it sounds like you will be starting your reserve status in June of 2011, not Fall 2011. That means that you can start your tenure in June of 2012. But you should really contact the NSF representative at your university. You really don't want to mess up your funding.

[c07030]

Thanks for the response. I'm thinking they may not care about the reserve status being exactly 12 months- for example, what happens if I start going on reserve in June 2011, but then I get department support next summer, and would like to start the "tenure" status in Fall of 2012?

I'm asking the NSF representative, but just waiting for them to get back to me.

From what you've described, it sounds like you will be starting your reserve status in June of 2011, not Fall 2011. That means that you can start your tenure in June of 2012. But you should really contact the NSF representative at your university. You really don't want to mess up your funding.

[c07030]

Ok, so I think they must get a lot of these emails, or they just don't read them. I asked the same question as above, and this is what I got as a response:

It has to fit with the 12 month period, there is no way around it. The rules are firm.

What does "it" refer to???? I'm guessing she/he means the tenure period, but that does not confirm or deny anything!

[Eigen]

Ok, so I think they must get a lot of these emails, or they just don't read them. I asked the same question as above, and this is what I got as a response:

It has to fit with the 12 month period, there is no way around it. The rules are firm.

What does "it" refer to???? I'm guessing she/he means the tenure period, but that does not confirm or deny anything!

Reserve periods and tenure periods are both exactly 12 months- you only get two 12 month reserve periods, and three 12 month tenure periods.

But past that, what Husky said- you really should talk to your institutions CO, they are the ones best placed to help you figure this out.

Edited April 26, 2011 by Eigen

[c07030]

Eigen, they can't both be exactly 12 months if they also let you switch your start date.

Reserve periods and tenure periods are both exactly 12 months- you only get two 12 month reserve periods, and three 12 month tenure periods.

But past that, what Husky said- you really should talk to your institutions CO, they are the ones best placed to help you figure this out.

[Eigen]

No idea. My understanding from talking to my CO was that you couldn't change your start date (fall/summer) after your first pick; some of the passages you've highlighted suggest otherwise.

You really should talk to your campuses CO, they're the ones that have the power to make a lot of these calls, and also the ones that have dealt with these issues before.

[c07030]

The CO got back to me and told me that yes, you can change your start dates for reserve, so if I don't get summer funding next year by May 1st I can choose to start tenure June 1st, of 2012 even though I started Reserve status September 1st of 2011. She phrased it as though it was up to the institution, even though she said "we recommend". At least I have an email saying that I'm allowed flexibility.

No idea. My understanding from talking to my CO was that you couldn't change your start date (fall/summer) after your first pick; some of the passages you've highlighted suggest otherwise.

You really should talk to your campuses CO, they're the ones that have the power to make a lot of these calls, and also the ones that have dealt with these issues before.

[Eigen]

Excellent.

I gathered when talking to my CO that a lot of the finer points of the fellowship disbursement are up to the institution (CO), and so it's always a good idea to go to them first.