This document has been archived and replaced by NSF 16-024.

1. What is the goal of the program?
2. What are the benefits to NSF Graduate Fellows?
3. Who are the NSF partners?
4. Who is eligible?
5. What degree programs are eligible?
6. How many applications can be submitted per Fellow per year?
7. What is the minimum and maximum duration?
8. What is the level of funding provided to Fellow awardees?
9. What does the travel allowance from NSF cover?
10. If awarded, when is the funding dispersed?
11. How many awards will be made in FY 2015?
12. Do Graduate Fellows on tenure still receive their GRFP stipend when participating in the program?
13. What are the application due dates for Fellowship Year 2014-2015?
14. When are awards announced?
15. Who reviews the application?
16. What criteria does NSF use to evaluate applications?
17. What criteria do the partner organizations/agencies use to evaluate applications?
18. If awarded, when can I begin the collaboration?
19. Are there additional application or requirements?
20. By when must I complete the trip/internship?
21. Must the research collaboration/internship occur in one trip, or can I participate in multiple trips/internship periods?
22. What are the reporting requirements?
23. Where can I find more information?

1. What is the goal of the program?

   GROW: To provide professional development experiences to NSF Graduate Research Fellows through international research opportunities developed in partnership with counterpart agencies around the world and the U.S. Agency for International Development. The Graduate Research Fellowship Program is a critical program in NSF's overall strategy to develop the globally-engaged workforce necessary to ensure the Nation's leadership in advancing science and engineering research and innovation.

   GRIP: To provide professional development experiences to NSF Graduate Research Fellows through research internships developed in partnership with Federal Agencies and National Labs.



2. What are the benefits to NSF Graduate Fellows?

   GROW: NSF Graduate Research Fellows engage in international research collaborations with investigators in partner countries, gaining an international experience that contributes to their preparation to enter a globally-engaged science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce.

   GRIP: NSF Graduate Research Fellows engage in internships with host research mentors at U.S. federal facilities and national laboratories, developing expertise in STEM areas of national need and preparing for an array of career options.



3. Who are the NSF partners?

   GROW: NSF counterpart international organizations and agencies.

   GRIP: U.S. Federal Agencies



4. Who is eligible?

   GROW: Active NSF Graduate Research Fellows (on tenure or reserve).

   GRIP: Active NSF Graduate Research Fellows (on tenure or reserve). For some internship opportunities, Fellows must also be able to pass background and/or security checks.

5. What degree programs are eligible?

   GROW: MS and PhD

   GRIP: MS and PhD

6. How many applications can be submitted per Fellow per year?

   GROW: Only one (1)

   GRIP: Maximum of two (2) applications per fellowship year but only one (1) per Partner Agency per fellowship year.



7. What is the minimum and maximum duration?

   GROW: 2-12 months (minimum duration varies by country)

   GRIP: 10 weeks - 12 months



8. What is the level of funding provided to Fellow awardees?

   GROW: $5,000 travel allowance from NSF plus in-country support provided by partner organization (varies by partner)

   GRIP: $5,000 research and travel allowance from NSF. Support provided by partner agencies varies.



9. What does the travel allowance from NSF cover?

   GROW: Travel and research costs associated with the international research collaboration. Allowable expenses include travel to host country and institution, visa applications, field permits, research supplies, excess luggage, travel and health insurance, and other travel-related costs.

   GRIP: Travel and research costs associated with the internship, including travel, relocation, research supplies, and other expenses.



10. If awarded, when is the funding dispersed?

    GROW: Awards are provided to successful applicants (via their home institution) as part of the GRFP summer funding increment. In-country support from the partner organization is dispensed according to a schedule determined by the partner.

    GRIP: Awards are provided to successful applicants (via their home institution) as part of the GRFP summer or fall funding increments.

11. How many awards will be made in FY 2015?

    GROW: Up to 400

    GRIP: Up to 25

12. Do Graduate Fellows on tenure still receive their GRFP stipend when participating in the program?

    GROW: Yes

    GRIP: Yes



13. What are the application due dates for Fellowship Year 2014-2015?

    GROW: One (1) Deadline: December 15, 2014

    GRIP: Three (3) Target Dates:

    • December 5, 2014
    • March 6, 2015
    • June 5, 2015


14. When are awards announced?

    GROW: April-May 2015

    GRIP: Minimum of 6 months from the submission deadline



15. Who reviews the application?

    GROW: NSF and international partner(s)

    GRIP: NSF and federal agency partner(s)



16. What criteria does NSF use to evaluate applications?

    GROW: NSF's Merit Review Criteria (Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts) as well as GROW programmatic review criteria:

    • Potential for true intellectual collaboration with the international research partner, engaging the expertise, specialized skills and/or facilities of the collaborator, and
    • Potential opportunities for effective research and career development for the Graduate Research Fellow.

    GRIP: GRIP programmatic review criteria:

    • Potential for true research collaboration with agency partner, and
    • The potential for professional and career development for the NSF Graduate Research Fellow.


17. What criteria do the partner organizations/agencies use to evaluate applications?

    GROW: Varies among partner organizations

    GRIP: 

    1. The Fellow's expertise and research interests fit within the scope of the Agency's mission and those of the specific projects proposed.
    2. Potential match with Agency host researcher.
    3. Any other partner agency specific criteria.


18. If awarded, when can I begin the collaboration?

    GROW: After June 1, 2015. Travel must be coordinated with partner organization and international host.

    GRIP: Because the review, selection, and placement process is anticipated to take a minimum of six (6) months, Fellows are encouraged to submit according to the following timelines:

    Submission Target:	Anticipated Placement:
    December 5, 2014 March 6, 2015 June 5, 2015	Summer 2015 Fall 2015 Winter 2015-2016

     
    
19. Are there additional application or requirements?

    GROW: Yes. Some partners may request additional documentation or application materials.

    Depending on the country and length of stay, additional travel documents (e.g., visas) may be required.

    GROW Fellows must comply with the terms of the Fly America Act.

    GRIP: Yes. NSF Graduate Research Fellows that are accepted for GRIP may have to pass a background investigation prior to the start of the internship. In some cases, the background check process may delay the estimated start date.

    Applicants are also required to develop and submit a professional development plan.

20. By when must I complete the trip/internship?

    GROW: Travel must be completed by August 31, 2016

    GRIP: The NSF internship allowance is for use by the Fellow during the internship period identified in the application.

21. Must the research collaboration/internship occur in one trip, or can I participate in multiple trips/internship periods?

    GROW: The travel allowance provided by NSF may be used to fund multiple trips to the partner country, subject to the approval of the Fellow's GRFP research advisor, institution, and international host, and partner agency.

    GRIP: The research internship supported by GRIP is expected to occur as a single, uninterrupted experience.

22. What are the reporting requirements?

    GROW: GROW recipients are expected to submit an annual report that details the experience and accomplishments of the GROW collaboration. The report is submitted through the GRFP FastLane Module. GROW partner organizations may have their own reporting requirements as well.

    GRIP: GRIP recipients must submit an Internship Report through the GRFP FastLane Module that details the experience and accomplishments of the internship. The sponsoring agency may have additional reporting requirements.

23. Where can I find more information?

    GROW: https://www.nsf.gov/grow and NSF 14-121; Contact: GROW@nsf.gov

    GRIP: https://www.nsf.gov/grip and NSF 14-084; Contact: GRIP@nsf.gov