National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program - Information for Panelists
Experienced and non-experienced panelists are welcomed every year to register to volunteer in assisting the evaluation of applications for the NSF GRFP. The panels convene for three days in February in the Washington, DC area. Panelists read and evaluate applications in their areas of expertise. Those who have served as panelists cite that it is an invaluable experience when advising students about how to be competitive for the award.
NSF seeks diverse panels composed of outstanding researchers from a wide range of institutions, geographic locations, and backgrounds.
Panelist Qualifications
- Outstanding research in an NSF-supported field
- Ability to evaluate interdisciplinary proposals
- Knowledge of NSF Merit Review Criteria
- Experience in mentoring graduate students
Compensation
NSF pays directly for panelists' travel costs and gives panelists the agency's "Flat Rate Fee" to cover lodging and meals (more details here).
Panelist Timeline
- October: Invitations issued to potential panelists
- November: Panelists accept
- December: Preliminary review exercise available; travel arrangement notification will be sent
- February: Panelists review applications
Contact Information
If you have questions about serving as a panelist for the NSF GRFP please contact us at panelists@asee.org or 1-866-673-4737
DAY 0
- Chairs Briefing (panel chairs only) – 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
DAY 1
- Plenary Session (all panelists & panel chairs) – 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
- Individual panels convene – 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (panels adjourn each day at various times – 6:00 p.m. is an approximation)
- Evening Break (all panelists & panel chairs) – 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
DAY 2
- Individual panels convene – 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (panels convene and adjourn each day at various times – 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. are approximations)
DAY 3
- Individual panels convene – 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (panels convene and adjourn each day at various times – 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. are approximations)
FAQs pertaining to Panelist travel
Please note that all Panelists will be contacted in early December with information on how to register in FastLane for reimbursement and how to make travel arrangements through SATO Travel.
- How do I make my travel arrangements?
- How do I contact SatoTravel?
- Will I receive a copy of my itinerary?
- How do I get my ticket?
- Do I have to fly on the government contract carrier?
- Is it okay to use Amtrak?
- Can I make alternate routing for personal or non-NSF business?
- Can I purchase my own ticket?
- If I have to change my travel plans while at the panel review meeting, what do I do?
- Is it okay to drive my personal vehicle to the panel review meeting?
- If I am authorized to drive my personal vehicle to the panel review meeting, can I claim tolls and mileage?
- How will I be reimbursed for my travel expenses if I am driving my own car?
- What is the Flat Rate Fee?
- How will I be reimbursed for my panel services?
- May I use my Frequent Flyer Miles to upgrade to business or first class when on official government travel?
- Am I authorized to rent a car at government expense?
- Will I be reimbursed for parking?
- Where will the panel review meetings be held?
- Is there a block of rooms available for panelists?
- Will I be reimbursed for my hotel?
- Will Internet service be available to panelists during the panel review meetings?
Answers
1. How do I make my travel arrangements?
Contact SatoTravel at 1-888-318-3295 (Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM) to make your travel arrangements. When making your travel arrangements, please reference the Panel ID Number of the panel review Session that you are assigned to. If you do not know or cannot locate the Panel ID, please contact the
2. How do contact SatoTravel?
To expedite your travel reservations, contact SatoTravel toll free at 1-888-318-3295. Other SatoTravel information is available on the web at
3. Will I receive a copy of my itinerary?
SatoTravel will e-mail the itinerary to you within 24 to 48 hours. You will also receive an e-mail confirmation with an attached electronic invoice after making your arrangements with SatoTravel. The electronic invoice may be used for airport entry. Your electronic ticket will be at your airline check-in counter.
4. How do I get my ticket?
You should receive notification via electronic along with a copy of your itinerary. If you do not receive this notification please contact Sato Travel. Your electronic ticket will be at your airline check-in counter. All tickets must be electronic tickets unless there is a compelling reason for a paper ticket. An express delivery charge will be added for paper tickets at an additional cost to the panelist.
5. Do I have to fly on the government contract carrier?
Yes, due to government laws and regulations, you must fly on the government contract carrier. Any ticketing outside SatoTravel must have prior approval. To obtain approval please contact grfp@nsf.gov . The amount of reimbursement for outside ticketing is based on the government contract carrier price quotes.
6. Is it okay to use Amtrak?
Yes, you may travel on Amtrak and make your travel arrangements though SatoTravel.
7. Can I make alternate routing for personal or non-NSF business?
If you wish to make alternate routing for personal or non-NSF business reasons, please let SatoTravel know at the time you are making your reservation. You must first get the approval from NSF for any travel that deviates from direct routing. To obtain approval please contact grfp@nsf.gov .
8. Can I purchase my own ticket?
No, unless approved to do so by NSF. Reimbursement is limited to the government contract airfare.
9. If I have to change my travel plans while at the panel review meeting, what do I do?
Contact SatoTravel office at 1-800-673-6188 to have your reservations changed. Panelist may be charged a fee to have their reservations changed.
10. Is it okay to drive my personal vehicle to the panel review meeting?
Please contact grfp@nsf.gov for authorization to drive your personal vehicle to the panel meeting.
11. If I am authorized to drive my personal vehicle to the panel review meeting, can I claim tolls and mileage?
Yes, tolls will be approved along with the round-trip mileage (provided the total mileage reimbursement does not exceed government contract airfare). You will be provided a mileage reimbursement form at the panel review meeting to record your round-trip mileage upon completion of your travel.
12. How will I be reimbursed for my travel expenses if I am driving my own car?
You will be provided a mileage form at the panel review meeting to record your round-trip mileage. This form must be submitted to the GRF Program Assistants at grfp@nsf.gov or fax 703-292-9048.
13. What is the Flat Rate Fee?
The Flat Rate Fee is a one-time reimbursement for services and includes the allowable reimbursement for hotel guestroom changes, daily meals, taxes, ground transportation, and other incidental expenses including parking. Panelists residing in the local metropolitan area in which the meeting is conducted will receive compensation of $280 for each day of the meeting. For our purposes, the
14. How will I be reimbursed for my panel services?
An Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) is a direct deposit to your bank account using the Guest Travel and Reimbursement System. You have been provided the information required for the registration into the FastLane Guest Travel and Reimbursement System.
15. May I use my Frequent Flyer Miles to upgrade to business or first class when on official government travel?
Yes, you may use any frequent traveler benefits you have to upgrade to premium service. This is considered upgrading at your own expense. NSF cannot pay for any upgrades and SatoTravel is not required to make the arrangements.
16. Am I authorized to rent a car at government expense?
No, rental cars are at the expense of the traveler.
17. Will I be reimbursed for parking?
Parking is included in your Flat Rate Fee.
18. Where will the panel review meetings be held?
The panel review meeting in 2011 will be held in the Washington, DC area.
19. Is there a block of rooms available for panelists?
Yes, there will be a room block available for panelists. Information on room reservations will be provided in the travel e-mail sent to all panelists.
20. Will I be reimbursed for my hotel?
Your hotel reimbursement is included in your Flat Rate Fee.
21. Will Internet service be available to panelists during the panel review meetings?
This information will be determined based upon meeting location for 2011.
Fellow Laura McMullen from Oregon State University samples benthic invertebrates in the Big Sandy River in Arizona. This is part of a project to examine the effects of prescribed floods on invertebrate population and community dynamics in an arid-land river.
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Operations Center Administered by: American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
1818 N Street NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 | 866-NSF-GRFP, 866-673-4737
(toll-free from the US and Canada) or 202-331-3542 (international) | info@nsfgrfp.org