How exactly does NSF GROW funding work?

[ssynny]

Hello all,

As the title suggests, I'm not entirely sure how this NSF GROW funding works. The only part I'm 100% certain about is that NSF gives us a one time allowance of $5000. Here's where my questions arise:

1) It says the host institution pays some allowance too. How has this worked for anyone who has done GROW? Is it by the international NSF-like counterpart?

2) Do your abroad mentors end up paying for your analytical costs? I know I want to look at Ca isotopes and that's about $300/sample

3) I would stay on tenure. Do I still get my ~2700/month?

 

Thank you for any insight! The NSF website is a bit confusing and I just want to be sure I'm not assuming something that I shouldn't be.

[Vader Was Framed]

Happy to help, as not much detail is provided initially. 

1) Yes, separate from the NSF $5K travel allowance (which is very flexible) the host institution receives an allowance that is meant to support your costs of living during your stay. This differs in amount and logistics for each country. In my case, this was paid from the host country's NSF-like counterpart, through the host institution (they held the funds) and then directly to me. 

2) This was not entirely applicable to me as I do not work in a laboratory environment. I suppose in your case you should talk about these expenses with your host advisor and current advisor (i.e., maybe you need to find additional funds to support this). I did chose to use some of my NSF travel allowance towards certain data analysis expenses (software in my case). This is allowed. But it sounds as if your non-travel expenses in the lab could be quite significant? Or perhaps these lab expenses are just considered operational expenses at the host institution and they will cover it for you ... I'm not sure what the norms are so you should ask. I would note ... you should definitely plan to use any remaining funds you have from the $5K allowance towards this type of thing or other expenses you have related to the research. 

3) Yes. 

Safe travels.

[ssynny]

Ahhh you're amazing! Thank you so much for the information! Definitely helped a lot!

Where did you go? I'm trying for France.

[CDA]

I've been wondering about #1 as well, so I e-mailed the representative from my host country (Australia) for clarification. Apparently the source of the monthly allowance varies between countries. In most cases, the funding comes from the NSF-counterpart of that country. However, in certain countries, it may be up to the host to find funding for you during your stay. This might be through their own research funds or the university's research office. I'm not sure what the situation for the GROW program is in France, but it might be worth contacting them for clarification if you're unsure.

I'm still trying to figure out how this will affect my application. Can anyone who went to Australia for the GROW program comment on their experience? Did the host university have a funding mechanism in place for GROW scholars? Did your host lab need to provide funding?

[BOGR_20]

Just to clarify, if you are on tenure for the GRFP while doing GROW, do you receive both your GRFP salary AND a monthly stipend from the partner country? Or do you not get an additional salary from the partner country if you are on tenure for the GRFP when you go? I'm trying to plan for covering 2 rents (home and abroad) for several months.... 

Thanks!