Tips for Applying

We surveyed recent awardees and panel reviewers to ask for their input and advice to help you prepare a high quality application. Here are their recommendations:

Top Tips from Awardees

1. Start early, taking significant time to compose essays, and rewrite.
2. Demonstrate your personal motivation and excitement for research.
3. Spend time to thoroughly research your topic.
4. Integrate essays to create singular theme, link the content together.
5. Keep essays clear and simple to read.
6. Give essays to many people for review.
7. Get input from professors or university administration.
8. Get input from previous applicants or winners.
9. Thoroughly address both Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts.
10. Be sure you adequately address the Broader Impacts criterion.
11. Be sure to include all volunteer, leadership, and extracurricular activities.
12. Highlight the significance of your research and how it will impact society.
13. Pay close attention to language in the Program Solicitation.
14. Focus on getting strong recommendation letters.
15. Mention what sets you apart from a typical applicant - be unique!

Top Tips from Reviewers

1. Gain research experience, especially at the undergrad level (for example, see NSF's REU program).
2. Become involved in leadership roles and community service.
3. Write clear and scientifically-sound essays.
4. Strive for scientific publications and presentations.
5. Have a strong academic record.
6. Be sure to demonstrate the Broader Impacts criteria well.
7. Select strong recommenders.
8. Link your teaching and research experiences.
9. Ensure you display a history of accomplishments.
10. Thoroughly address both Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts.
11. Highlight any international experience you may have.
12. Display your passion and motivation in the essays.
13. Be knowledgeable of your research topic.
14. Demonstrate the significance of your proposed work.
15. Make sure the proposed research is realistic.

Be sure to carefully read through the Application Materials and Review Criteria for the award. We encourage you to make use of the Experienced Resource Persons List to contact someone from your institution who has volunteered to give their advice about the program to you.

 Fellow Silvana A. Rosenfeld from Stanford University analyzes llama bone remains from pre-Columbian sites in Cuzco, Peru.  Silvana is exploring the manner in which different animal sacrifice and food consumption settings impacted the sociopolitical organization and integration of the Wari Empire (AD 600-900).