The following Dear Colleague letter was recently released by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), intended to provide support for those at the beginning of their graduate career and individuals seeking to reenter graduate studies following an interruption of at least two consecutive years.
Dear Colleagues,
The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based Master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited United States institutions. The program provides up to three years of support, including an annual $34,000 stipend, for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant achievements in science and engineering research.
The GRFP awards more than 2,000 new fellowships each year. Even though the fraction of these fellowships that go to students doing research in areas supported by the NSF Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS) in 2016 has increased to just over 3.8% from only 2.9% the year before, participation by the mathematical sciences community still leaves room for improvement.
In the years 2013 through 2016, GRFP awards in the mathematical sciences were given to students who earned baccalaureate degrees from the 132 institutions listed below. The number of baccalaureate institutions in this list has been growing through the years.
I encourage the DMS community to inform eligible students about this program and to urge them to apply. This is a great opportunity for the mathematical sciences community. US citizens and permanent residents who are planning to enter graduate school in an NSF-supported discipline next fall, or in the first two years of such a graduate program, or who are returning to graduate school after being out for two or more years, are eligible. The applicant information page (http://www.nsfgrfp.org/applicants) and the program solicitation (http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=6201) contain the necessary details.
Applications for Mathematical Sciences topics are due October 28.
The GRFP also needs qualified faculty reviewers. Review panels are conducted by video conference. Please see the panelist information page (http://www.nsfgrfp.org/panelist_info) and consider volunteering by sending an e-mail message to <[email protected]>.
Michael Vogelius
Division Director
Division of Mathematical Sciences