New Grads who are U.S. Citizens or permanent U.S. residents, please consider applying for an NSF fellowship this fall!
The deadline is early to late-October, which doesn't give you much time after you arrive. Resources for preparation:
- Past CSE NSF winners have pulled together some sample resources. (available once you have a CSE NetID in May)
- Professor Mike Ernst wrote some great advice a while back.
- CSE students typically organize a paper swap for grads and undergrads applying for an NSF. Watch for the announcement in early October.
- See the NSF GRF Program website for more information, especially requirements are eligibilty as these requirements have changed in recent years.
Here are some additional points to keep in mind:
- The NSF GRFP is one of the most prestigious science fellowships in the country. Winning one is very good for your CV. More importantly, it also gives you a lot of freedom early in your graduate career to focus on coursework, check out the numerous research opportunities available at the Allen School, and to work with whom you wish, regardless of whether there is funding in that area. It helps our school fund other grad students and it adds to the stature of our program, too. There are lots of good reasons to apply.
- Your best letters of recommendation will come from professors from your undergraduate institutions, so you might want to make sure they'll be ready, willing, and able to write you a recommendation before you leave your current school.
- If more students apply in a specific area, that area gets proportionately more fellowships.
- Working as an RA in the summer before your first Autumn will mean you have completed a "full year" and therefore are no longer eligible. Contact our office with questions.
Thanks very much for thinking about applying! You should also consider applying for other fellowships in addition to the NSF.