NSF fellowships

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mhazelm
Posts: 193
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NSF fellowships

Post by mhazelm » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:35 pm

Does anyone know when we will find out? From looking through old threads, it sounds as though they didn't make any announcements until the very end of March last year. I'm hoping the results aren't delayed because of the economy; it could be a get-out-of-jail-free (i.e. admissions) ticket...

my scores may suck but my NSF proposal was good! 8)
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admissionprof
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Re: NSF fellowships

Post by admissionprof » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:49 pm

mhazelm wrote:Does anyone know when we will find out? From looking through old threads, it sounds as though they didn't make any announcements until the very end of March last year. I'm hoping the results aren't delayed because of the economy; it could be a get-out-of-jail-free (i.e. admissions) ticket...

my scores may suck but my NSF proposal was good! 8)
I understand that the number of NSF fellowships given out might triple this year, as a result of the stimulus package. The omnibus spending bill also hasn't been signed yet, and it contains more NSF money. It actually might delay things a couple of weeks---it takes more time to give out more money. I've never understood how they decide---we have had mediocre students get them and terrific students not get them (apparently the "broader impact" aspect is more important than many realize).
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mhazelm
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Re: NSF fellowships

Post by mhazelm » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:51 pm

I've heard this from a number of people as well - apparently they really, really want broader impacts. I guess I'll know soon enough if I emphasized that enough...

Even if I don't get one, I am relieved to see the government putting more money towards science in some form. It's about time!
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PhysicsPdx
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Re: NSF fellowships

Post by PhysicsPdx » Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:00 pm

Does anyone know if the number of DOE fellowships will be increased as well?
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zxcv
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Re: NSF fellowships

Post by zxcv » Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:46 pm

Any updates on the NSF? The webpage has been "early April" for a while now, which has to mean this week, right? (I was actually expecting to find the announcement today, but I guess not.)

I'm already in grad school so I guess it doesn't matter that much to me when I find out (as opposed to people with an April 15 deadline), but I'm still like to hear back ASAP. I'm hoping the delay is because of a (positively) shifting funding situation?
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sterculus
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Re: NSF fellowships

Post by sterculus » Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:15 pm

My guess is also that they're waiting to see exactly how many they can fund. I'm nervously waiting over here. I've been second guessing my "broader impacts" since I wrote the application...I guess we'll see relatively soon.
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jcmaxwell
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Re: NSF fellowships

Post by jcmaxwell » Tue Apr 07, 2009 12:29 pm

This delay is particularly frustrating for me because I am considering deferring to go abroad a year (a government program, but not related to science). Does anyone know under what conditions NSF can be deferred?
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zxcv
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Re: NSF fellowships

Post by zxcv » Tue Apr 07, 2009 3:26 pm

jcmaxwell wrote:This delay is particularly frustrating for me because I am considering deferring to go abroad a year (a government program, but not related to science). Does anyone know under what conditions NSF can be deferred?
In general, you have 5 years to use your 3 years of funding for the NSF. For more details, look at this pdf.
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sterculus
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Re: NSF fellowships

Post by sterculus » Fri Apr 10, 2009 1:21 am

"Due to the complexity of the current budget situation, the 2009 GRFP awards will be announced in installments based on fields of study and other factors."

First round fellowships are posted on the GRFP website (950 of them). Sounds like more are on the way. Nothing for me in this round, although I maintain hope based on the fact that there is a grand total of *one* plasma physics award so far.
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mhazelm
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Re: NSF fellowships

Post by mhazelm » Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:59 am

More rejection for me. Surprise, surprise.

It is time I find myself some anti-depressants.
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Andromeda
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Re: NSF fellowships

Post by Andromeda » Fri Apr 10, 2009 1:25 pm

Got a rejection. *shrug* Moving on...
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YF17A
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Re: NSF fellowships

Post by YF17A » Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:38 pm

Wow. There are exactly 2 awards in the first round for theoretical physics. I hope there are more coming, or this does not bode well for our future careers...
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zxcv
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Re: NSF fellowships

Post by zxcv » Sat Apr 11, 2009 3:57 am

YF17A wrote:Wow. There are exactly 2 awards in the first round for theoretical physics. I hope there are more coming, or this does not bode well for our future careers...
Yep... I was holding out hope that I was in the "honorable mention/not-yet-rejected" group until this morning at about 11:30am when I got my rejection email. But also keep in mind that the sub-categories of physics for the NSF are mostly arbitrary -- they divide physics applications to consider in two piles by sub-category but not more specifically than that. Oh well, next year!
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