GSBS Writing StudioNSF & NIH Fellowship (F) Grant Application Resources

ELIGIBILITY: Please note you must be either a US Citizen or Permanent Resident at the time of the award to be eligible for NIH Fellowship (F) or NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) Grant awards!

Please Note: Documents below are recommended to be opened in the appropriate Microsoft application by choosing "Open desktop app" in the dropdown menu, otherwise the web-based version might not have all the data formatted correctly:

National Science Foundation (NSF) GRFP Information & Resources

NSF GRFP for Masters & PhD Students – NSF Graduate Research Fellowships Program (GRFP) (nsfgrfp.org)
NSF GRFP Checklist (For 2023 Submission) - NSF GRFP Checklist
2023 Personal, Background, & Future Goals Statement TEMPLATE - 2023 NSF Personal Statement Template
2023 Graduate Research Plan Statement TEMPLATE - 2023 NSF Research Plan Template
Google Doc with list/links of successful NSF GRFP apps - NSF Winners
Older webpage, still packed with great information - Alex Lang's Website on NSF GRFP
Advice to applicants webpage written by awardee in 2020 - Mallory Ladd's NSF Webpage
MIT/Broad Institute's NSF GRFP Prep page - Broad Institute / MIT NSF GRFP Info Page
Penn State's Webpage on how to Leverage your "Broader Impacts" Statements - Broader Impacts - What they are and how to write it
University of Utah's NSF GRFP Guidance - Univ of Utah Guidance
University of Texas at Austin's NSF Tips - 3 Tips for a Winning NSF GRFP Application

General NIH Fellowship Information & How to Get Started

Where to Find Current NIH F Grant Funding Opportunities – NIH F Grant Kiosk
F30 Opportunity for MD/PhD Students - Parent F30 Funding Opportunity Announcement
F31 Opportunity for PhD Students - Parent F31 Funding Opportunity Announcement; Note: You must be a candidate for the PhD degree and have identified a dissertation project and sponsor at the time of the award.
F31-Diversity Opportunity for PhD Students - F31 Diversity Funding Opportunity Announcement
F32 Opportunity for Postdoctoral Fellows - F32 Funding Opportunity Announcement
NIH F Grant Fast Facts – F Grant Fast Facts 2023
Top 5 Tips to Get Started with Your NIH F Grant – F Grant Tips to Get Started
Tips for Starting Your Specific Aims Page – Specific Aims Tips
Why Contacting a Program Official (PO) is so Important – POs are Here to Help
NIH Standard Due Dates – NIH Due Dates & Review Cycles
How to get an ORCID iD: Registration for ORCID iD
NIAID F31 Example Applications (Note: these are older applications that are not up-to-date on the current NIH instructions. However, these provide a good idea on how to start each section of your NIH F grant): F31 Example Apps from NIAID

Applicant Resources - NIH Fellowship Checklists, Guidance Docs, & Templates

NIH Fellowship "F" Grant Checklist – NIH F Grant Checklist
Applicant F Grant Guidance Document – GSBS F Grant Guidance for APPLICANTS
F Grant Cover Letter Template – GSBS Cover Letter Template
Facilities & Other Resources Template – GSBS Facilities & Other Resources
Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research Template – GSBS RCR Template - F Grants
Description of Institutional Environment and Commitment to Training Template – GSBS Institutional Environment & Commitment to Training Template
Resource Sharing Plan - GSBS F Grant Resource Sharing Plan Template

Faculty Resources - NIH Fellowship Grant Guidance & Letters

Mentors/Sponsors - Click here for instructions on how to write your Sponsor/Co-Sponsor Statement – GSBS F Grant Guidance for MENTORS
Other Faculty writing a Reference Letter or Letter of Support:

	Reference Letter	Letter of Support
Primary difference?	Focused on the candidate applying and his/her qualities, achievements, and potential.	Focused on the author of the letter and his/her own qualifications and ability to contribute to the proposed project.
When are they used?	Used in Fellowships (F), mentored Early Career Development Awards (K), and other programs as requested.	Used to demonstrate institutional commitment or resources, collaboration or role in the proposed project, and/or potential of current user of a resource or service proposed in the application.
Who writes them?	Referees should be individuals not directly involved in the application, but who are familiar with the applicant’s qualifications. The sponsor/co-sponsor(s) cannot be counted toward the 3 required references.	Collaborators, key personnel, institution, and other significant contributors to the scientific development or execution of the project.
What should be included?	Describe the qualities and potential of the candidate to be a successful independent scientist. Also describe how you know them and your personal interactions.	Describe the type of support you will provide to the project as a collaborator. Summarize the agreements you have in place to support the project.
Who submits them?	A referee submits the letters through eRA Commons (no login needed).	Applicant organization submits the letters of support as part of the application.
Who sees them?	The letters are maintained separate from the corresponding application. Only reviewers and select NIH staff see them.	Anyone with access to view the application.
Where are the instructions?	Reference Letters \| grants.nih.gov	Click here: How to Apply - Application Guide \| grants.nih.gov; choose which type of application you are preparing, then search "Letters of Support" within the instructions.