NSF GROW & GRIP - for current NSF-GRFP fellows

[Cookie]

I attended the first webinar for GROW/GRIP today and want to share my notes to those who are interested. More information can be found in 'Dear Colleagues' letters for these programs.

 

GROW: research abroad, GROW (traditional) or GROW-USAID (research must related to development of that country) in the list (currently 21 countries, and growing).

 

*Allowance: on top of the NSF-GRFP stipend.

(1) $5000 travel allowance, to and within the host country, and associated supplies, travel insurance, extra baggage, immunization, by NSF.

(2) Additional in-country support from host: extra each month for housing etc (varied by countries, e.g. $1850 per month in Japan).

 

*Status/Eligibility:

Can declare reserve or on tenure during GROW.

If you already use 3 years of tenure, you can still do GROW/GRIP in the 2 extra reserve year as long as you havent graduated.

Can NOT declare reserve/tenure for less than a year.

If awarded NSF GRFP during the first year of grad school, then eligible for GROW in year 2, 3, 4 (Can apply after completing the first year of grad school).

Fellows are encouraged to contact the researchers directly to establish the connections.

One GROW application per year. Cannot proposed research more than a year early. Must propose to do research for that year. Can re-apply for more than one GROW.

 

GRIP: internship at agencies in US.

 

*Allowance: on top of the NSF-GRFP stipend.

$5000 research allowance, additional research support varies.

 

*Status/Eligibility:

Can apply within the first 4 years of grad school.

Must go through points of contact on NSF website to search for opportunities at specific agencies (fellows not encouraged to directly contact researchers).

Maximum 2 GRIP applications per year, but must be to 2 different agencies.

 

Applications for both GROW & GRIP:

The budget justification must include budget for both $5000 and any additional support.

Biological sketch: encourage using standard 2-page NSF formatted template sketch.

Letter of Endorsement not the same as rec letter: what do YOU get out of the experience?

Letter of Collaboration must include how GROW will benefit your host.

The whole application must be in ONE pdf file, in the same order asked.

Can apply and do both GRIP and GROW as long as your advisor approves.

The proposed timeline and any adjustments must be approved by your host, your advisor and your institution (6 months at least from application submission to start date).

You wont be notified if you pass the first round, except for GROW Switzerland.

 

Acceptance rates:

GRIP: 25 slots this year.

GROW: 2013: 52 awards (87%), 2014: 128 (73%)

 

Contact:

GROW+USAID: RIFellowships@usaid.gov

GROW: GROW@nsf.gov 

GRIP: GRIP@nsf.gov

 

 

 

[husky]

Thanks for posting this. It's amazing how little info there is from actual students that have participated in past years or even just applied. Hopefully, there will be more fellows this year.

[newpsyche]

Thank you for sharing your notes, Cookie!

[farflung]

Hi all - have any NSF graduate fellows had experience applying for the NSF GRIP program? I realize this is a pilot program, so there are very few of us & very little information available from either the NSF or internship sponsors. I am considering applying for the upcoming cycle ((info/deadline still not released)) and would love to speak to someone about their experience or swap statements with someone else thinking of applying this year. Feel free to PM me!

[gellert]

Thank you!  I'm planning on applying in the next year or two so this is very helpful.