Which topic to choose for Research Proposal section of NSF GRFP

[Brad Miller]

So I intend to start grad school this fall in Physics. I did two research projects as an undergrad but they were both related to condensed matter (CM)/materials science. At the school I got admitted to, students get admitted by research group so the school is less flexible than others in letting students switch their research topics. In fact, if I were to switch my interests and do research in Astronomy, the dept would not guarantee me funding. To be exact, I would get funding this Fall semester no matter what. But if I want to do research in Astronomy by spring 2012 but not another research area (ie CM), then I can't get a Physics TA, unless the dept has the resources, which is no guarantee given the budget cuts

However, these past few months I have spent quite some time reading the scientific literature and I know alot more about the research in Astronomy but not nearly as much in condensed matter. I intend to apply for the NSF GRFP fellowship program for this upcoming fall. I heard that for the Research Proposal section of the essay, I need to have read alot about the research area I intend to talk about. So in that case, I feel more comfortable talking about Astronomy. But OTOH, I heard you should 'show, not tell'. In that case, I have much more actual research experience in materials sci than astronomy since I have NO prior resaerch experience in Astronomy. BUT, one of the Astronomy professors at my upcoming school was insistent on me coming to his school and has offered to talk to me through Skpye, from now until fall '11, as a way to talk to me as if I attended his group meetings.

Which subject should I talk about in the Research Proposal section? Should I just do the research proposal in condensed matter/materials sci, so that way if I win the fellowship I can switch to Astro if I want to anyways? And thus just spend alot of time now reading the scientific literature in CM/mat sci? Or spend my time now talking to that Astro prof through skype, build a relationship with him so he can write me a LOR for the fellowship, and submit my research proposal in Astro, even though I wouldn't have had any Astro research experience at the time I submit the app? Also, a recent grad student of that Astro prof actually won the NSF fellowship a few years ago.

Edited April 30, 2011 by Brad Miller

[Brad Miller]

I should also mention that I was interested in another prof's research in lasers (not really related to CM/mat sci) at my upcoming school. I could start doing research with him this fall and write about that for the Research Proposal. But if I win the NSF fellowship, theres a fairly strong chance I would want to switch to doing research in Astro instead. Would that look really bad on me and would he frown on it, if I got a paid RA position with him for spring 2012 just to leave him after getting the NSF fellowship?

[jnpull2]

You do have a year to get some sort of astronomy research under your belt as a side project or something. And they are funding you based on your potential to succeed in a particular subject. Even though it is possible that you would be able to change disciplines, such a change has to be approved.

I don't know. I wouldn't try to figure out a way to get a grant based on something you have no intention of actually persuing. If you want to study astronomy, apply as such. If you want to study material science, apply for that.

It's all a little confusing. If you want to study astronomy, I would apply with an astronomy research proposal. If you get it, then you can be funded to do that research. If not, you can continue on your current path with funding from your university.

[Brad Miller]

You do have a year to get some sort of astronomy research under your belt as a side project or something. And they are funding you based on your potential to succeed in a particular subject. Even though it is possible that you would be able to change disciplines, such a change has to be approved.

I don't know. I wouldn't try to figure out a way to get a grant based on something you have no intention of actually persuing. If you want to study astronomy, apply as such. If you want to study material science, apply for that.

It's all a little confusing. If you want to study astronomy, I would apply with an astronomy research proposal. If you get it, then you can be funded to do that research. If not, you can continue on your current path with funding from your university.

More like a few months, not a year, to get the astro research. From now until August, I don't think I can even do any actual astro research, unless the prof can give me an assignment where I can work on it at home. The reason why I was hesitant to work for him this summer is because if I start off doing research in astro, then the Phys dept might see me as being too concentrated in astro and not open enough to try out the other areas of physics (ie condensed matter/mat sci). Thus, if I eventually want to transfer to the Astro dept, I heard that I could be burning bridges as the Phys dept could see me as trying to 'backdoor' into Astro. Of course, I guess we can try to keep our online conversations confidential. Should I ask to do that?

Well, I'm not sure yet which one I want to pursue. I'm currently leaning more towards astro, but I like mat sci also.

[Brad Miller]

Just to further clarify, my main question basically comes down to whether I should submit my proposal in materials (because I completed research projects in it) or astronomy (no prior experience, but I am more interested in it at the moment)?