The NSF GROW - what to expect and when to expect it?

[TheFlyingScholar]

I applied for the NSF GROW this year (as I'm sure several other of you fine souls did).  They were supposed to alert in Early April, but still nothing.  Calling has revealed nothing but voice mails.

 

Anyone have their finger on the pulse of what's happening?  Or when we can expect to know?

For those unfamiliar with the GROW, it's a new international research opportunity for NSF Graduate Research Fellows.

http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504876

Edited April 18, 2013 by perplexed_cafe

[bojibridge]

I'd be interested to know how things went for you.  I'm thinking of applying for the GROW fellowship this coming year, and I've been surprised about the dirth of information on it on the interwebs, other than what's on the NSF site.  Let me know!

[loginofpscl]

Just wondering, what benefit does one get from participating in NSF GROW? There are certainly opportunities for collaboration and learning new skills, but does anyone else see it as kind of a vacation masquerading as a sabbatical? I feel like a PhD candidate could make more progress working at their home institution. I ask because I'm thinking of applying sometime the next few years.

[husky]

Just wondering, what benefit does one get from participating in NSF GROW? There are certainly opportunities for collaboration and learning new skills, but does anyone else see it as kind of a vacation masquerading as a sabbatical? I feel like a PhD candidate could make more progress working at their home institution. I ask because I'm thinking of applying sometime the next few years.

 

I'm applying this year. I'm hoping to broaden my professional network through this experience. We've had several visiting students from all over the world in our lab. They all have had positive experiences and many have stayed connected to the members of our research group. Joint publication, invited presentations, and other professional opportunities continue on long after the official visit is over. There are certainly mutual benefits for this type of collaboration.

[GeoDUDE!]

Just wondering, what benefit does one get from participating in NSF GROW? There are certainly opportunities for collaboration and learning new skills, but does anyone else see it as kind of a vacation masquerading as a sabbatical? I feel like a PhD candidate could make more progress working at their home institution. I ask because I'm thinking of applying sometime the next few years.

 

If you are in the sciences and only work in your primary field it puts you at a disadvantage to people who do more than that. For example, my dissertation is subduction geodynamics but currently also have projects doing computational seismology and experimental volcanology. These were started by internships and classes.  

[Cookie]

I applied for the NSF GROW this year (as I'm sure several other of you fine souls did).  They were supposed to alert in Early April, but still nothing.  Calling has revealed nothing but voice mails.

 

Anyone have their finger on the pulse of what's happening?  Or when we can expect to know?

For those unfamiliar with the GROW, it's a new international research opportunity for NSF Graduate Research Fellows.

http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504876

 

From the webinar I attended a while ago, you should be notified in 6 months from the deadline. It makes sense since they require you to start your project within the awarded year. From my other post, you can see that they awarded 128 NSF fellows this year.

Edited December 12, 2014 by Cookie

[husky]

Well, I realize it's too late for folks that applied this year, but I managed to find this blog that an NSF GROW fellow kept to document his experience in Norway.

 

http://euroryanwatson.blogspot.com/2013/08/ryan-watsons-blog-greetings-welcome-to.html

 

I found it pretty neat.

 

I was also curious about acceptance rates. Since each country has its own limit on the number of fellows it receives, the acceptance rate largely depends on how many people apply to a given country. I heard that Switzerland had a 100% acceptance rate one year, then 30% the following year. Norway lists the successful GROW (and other) international funding applicants along with acceptance rates on their research council page.

 

http://www.forskningsradet.no/prognett-internasjonale-stipend/Successful_applications/1224067037821

 

 

Anyway, good luck to everyone that applied. Happy watiing!

[closetgeek]

Has anyone heard anything back yet? It sucks that it takes so long. I want to sublease my apartment but not til I know

[husky]

Not yet. I was expecting an answer sometime in April, though. It's still "early", I guess.

[Talysin]

I got it last year and went to Durban, South Africa. I heard back on 3/28/14 last year, and applied again this year and haven't heard back. What is up with this? Anyone know why we haven't heard back?

[Cookie]

I got it last year and went to Durban, South Africa. I heard back on 3/28/14 last year, and applied again this year and haven't heard back. What is up with this? Anyone know why we haven't heard back?

 

Talysin, would you mind sharing some tips from your application last year? This year  I didnt apply because I got a different gig in Germany, but definitely would love to get GROW next year. Thanks!

[Talysin]

Talysin, would you mind sharing some tips from your application last year? This year  I didnt apply because I got a different gig in Germany, but definitely would love to get GROW next year. Thanks!

 

Yeah sure. I'm not sure how competitive it was, it sort of felt like they awarded most who applied.

 

I did GROW with USAID, which provided more incentives to go to developing countries, and I got the feeling it was less competitive as well. Timing was the most stressful thing, because you had to have a letter from the host organization, which can take a while to find an org to work with, interview with them, and have them produce a letter and paperwork.

 

The application itself wasn't too bad, a bit of short writing on the topic. They want to see a plan for what you will acquire while you are there and what exactly you will work on.

[Cookie]

GROW/USAID is great! You bring up a good point, timing for GROW is hard. I will plan this very early, I suppose.
I'm a chemical theorist so I'm afraid they will think that I dont need to travel abroad to work, since I can collaborate through the Internet  

Thanks!

[Talysin]

Has anyone heard back yet? This is taking forever :C.

[TheBigRed]

Nope... It is taking forever... I feel really sorry for those who are planning on leaving in June! The Dear Colleague letter actually states that April-May is the time window for acceptance notifications, so we can't really complain at the moment

[Talysin]

Not sure why they are so backed up :C. I need to book a room ASAP but can't until I hear back :C.

 

Life is hard :C.

[TheBigRed]

They might announce it on Monday given the scheduled maintenance on Sunday...

[husky]

I was thinking the same thing about Sunday/Monday.  I got what may be just a false alarm earlier this week. I got an email from NSF with "NSF GRFP Admin Approved Change Request" in the subject line. I still have no idea why they sent that. Maybe it's related to declaring my annual status which I've done recently.  I don't even want to ask.     

 

Still waiting...

[TheBigRed]

Husky, you're correct on that it's related to declaring your annual status. I've done it recently and received the same e-mail!

 

I was thinking the same thing about Sunday/Monday.  I got what may be just a false alarm earlier this week. I got an email from NSF with "NSF GRFP Admin Approved Change Request" in the subject line. I still have no idea why they sent that. Maybe it's related to declaring my annual status which I've done recently.  I don't even want to ask.     

 

Still waiting...

Edited April 10, 2015 by TheBigRed

[TheBigRed]

The wait is getting a bit ridiculous...

[husky]

I was super busy from Jan to the beginning of this month. So these past few months have flown by. But now that things have settle down, this wait is making me nuts. But if I'm not mistaken, at this point, the applications are in the host counties' hands now.

[WhiskeyDick]

I don't believe the NSF has received its FY 2016 budget appropriations, so that may be a reason for the hold-up this year (despite the GRF already being announced).  I think if I were to apply again, I wouldn't set my start date for June 1; not enough time to prepare between proposal announcement and time of departure.

[TheBigRed]

I just got an e-mail from my host institution that I was selected as a GROW recipient. They still need to get the final approval from the NSF. Then, I will get an official e-mail from them. Good luck, everyone!

[closetgeek]

I received an email yesterday from NSF stating my application would be forwarded to the partner organization

[TheBigRed]

I haven't gotten any e-mail from NSF yet. Fastlane still says "Awaiting NSF Approval." I hope this changes soon! I want an official letter!