Successful Fellowship Successful Fellowship and Grant and Grant ApplicationsApplications

Joe UrbanJoe Urban

Barbara RyderBarbara Ryder

Mary Lou SoffaMary Lou Soffa

OutlineOutline

NSF – Joe UrbanNSF – Joe Urban

Grants – Barbara RyderGrants – Barbara Ryder

Fellowships - Mary Lou SoffaFellowships - Mary Lou Soffa

Successful Grant Successful Grant ApplicationsApplications

Barbara G. RyderBarbara G. Ryder

Rutgers UniversityRutgers University

OutlineOutline Grants - a ‘necessary evil’Grants - a ‘necessary evil’ Funding agenciesFunding agencies

– Government and IndustryGovernment and Industry Evaluation processEvaluation process How to write a successful proposal?How to write a successful proposal?

– Best practicesBest practices– Proposal templateProposal template– NSF CAREER proposalsNSF CAREER proposals

Sources to consult for more informationSources to consult for more information

Why obtain grant Why obtain grant funding?funding? To fund your research programTo fund your research program

Graduate studentsGraduate students EquipmentEquipment Summer salarySummer salary Conference/workshop travelConference/workshop travel

To enhance funding provided to your To enhance funding provided to your academic department and/or your academic department and/or your research groupresearch group

To demonstrate the support of your To demonstrate the support of your peers for your researchpeers for your research

Research Funding - Research Funding - GovtGovt

NSFNSF Main source of funding for academic CS researchMain source of funding for academic CS research Panels of peers review proposals in 1-2 day Panels of peers review proposals in 1-2 day

meetings in Washington, DCmeetings in Washington, DC Serious funding difficulties lead to <10% success Serious funding difficulties lead to <10% success

rate for research proposalsrate for research proposals

NIH, NASA, DOE, DHSNIH, NASA, DOE, DHS Fit specific sub-areas of CSFit specific sub-areas of CS Compiling for parallel, grid computing, PL Compiling for parallel, grid computing, PL

techniques for information-flow securitytechniques for information-flow security

DARPA and DoD agencies DARPA and DoD agencies E.g., ONR, ASFORE.g., ONR, ASFOR

Research Funding - Research Funding - IndustryIndustry

Microsoft Research Microsoft Research Faculty fellowship program Faculty fellowship program

http://research.microsoft.com/ur/us/nff/default.asphttp://research.microsoft.com/ur/us/nff/default.aspxx

External research & programsExternal research & programshttp://research.microsoft.com/ur/us/fundingopps/default.aspxhttp://research.microsoft.com/ur/us/fundingopps/default.aspx Compilers, languages and runtimesCompilers, languages and runtimeshttp://research.microsoft.com/ur/us/progsys/default.aspxhttp://research.microsoft.com/ur/us/progsys/default.aspx

Research Funding - Research Funding - IndustryIndustry

IBM - University programsIBM - University programs Innovation awards (e.g., Eclipse Innovation Innovation awards (e.g., Eclipse Innovation

Awards)Awards) Faculty awardsFaculty awards Ph.D fellowshipsPh.D fellowships Shared university research (SUR) awardsShared university research (SUR) awards Open collaboration awardsOpen collaboration awards

http://www-304.ibm.com/jct09002c/university/scholars/awards.hthttp://www-304.ibm.com/jct09002c/university/scholars/awards.htmlml

Evaluation ProcedureEvaluation Procedure NSFNSF

– Peer researchers receive ~10 proposals Peer researchers receive ~10 proposals to read 3 weeks before panel meetingto read 3 weeks before panel meeting

– Write reviews in NSF online systemWrite reviews in NSF online system– Panel meets for 1-2 days in DC, Panel meets for 1-2 days in DC,

discusses proposals and ranks them as discusses proposals and ranks them as competitivecompetitive or or not-competitivenot-competitive Panelists write panel summary comments for Panelists write panel summary comments for

every proposalevery proposal

– NSF program managers make final NSF program managers make final choice of proposals to fundchoice of proposals to fund

How to write a successful How to write a successful proposal?proposal?

Be informed about major research program Be informed about major research program solicitation announcementssolicitation announcements

Start early (2-3 months before the deadline)Start early (2-3 months before the deadline) Obtain and study previously successful Obtain and study previously successful

proposals written by colleaguesproposals written by colleagues Seek advice on how to present your ideasSeek advice on how to present your ideas

Give talks to colleagues/students for feedback on Give talks to colleagues/students for feedback on how best to explain ideashow best to explain ideas

Have others read your proposal draft to discover Have others read your proposal draft to discover unclear explanations or illogical flow of ideasunclear explanations or illogical flow of ideas

Proposal DesirablesProposal Desirables A well-crafted proposal explainsA well-crafted proposal explains

What is the motivating problem?What is the motivating problem? How is it being addressed?How is it being addressed? What is new about the proposed What is new about the proposed

approach?approach? How will the new approach be designed How will the new approach be designed

and validated?and validated? What outcomes will be produced? What outcomes will be produced?

– Research prototypes? Research papers? Ph.D Research prototypes? Research papers? Ph.D students graduated? Algorithms embedded in students graduated? Algorithms embedded in commercial products?commercial products?

How will the work be accomplished?How will the work be accomplished?

Proposal Template Proposal Template (NSF)(NSF)SummarySummary

Tersely motivate problem of interest Tersely motivate problem of interest and give high-level view of your and give high-level view of your approachapproach

List proposed achievements of the List proposed achievements of the researchresearch

Must state intellectual merit and Must state intellectual merit and prospective broad impacts (e.g., prospective broad impacts (e.g., educational, underrepresented educational, underrepresented groups)groups)

Proposal TemplateProposal TemplateIntroductionIntroduction

Motivate problem(s) being studied, Motivate problem(s) being studied, with compelling argument for its with compelling argument for its importance and potential impactimportance and potential impact

BackgroundBackground Existing concepts necessary to explain Existing concepts necessary to explain

the research ideasthe research ideas Initial feasibility study with partial Initial feasibility study with partial

results on first steps of the researchresults on first steps of the research

Proposal TemplateProposal Template

Research descriptionResearch description Provide enough detail to show a Provide enough detail to show a

coherent, multi-year investigation of coherent, multi-year investigation of an interesting Q, with multiple threads an interesting Q, with multiple threads of inquiryof inquiry

Outline the proposed order of Outline the proposed order of investigation of open questions; be investigation of open questions; be frank about different possible paths frank about different possible paths that may be exploredthat may be explored

Tell how results will be validated (e.g., Tell how results will be validated (e.g., benchmarks, build prototype, proofs)benchmarks, build prototype, proofs)

Proposal TemplateProposal TemplateResearch planResearch plan

Year by year concrete milestones to be Year by year concrete milestones to be accomplished by each personaccomplished by each person

Emphasize the ‘fruits’ of the researchEmphasize the ‘fruits’ of the research– E.g., software prototypes to be builtE.g., software prototypes to be built

Related workRelated work Show your familiarity with the areaShow your familiarity with the area Describe how your proposed work Describe how your proposed work

differs from existing approachesdiffers from existing approaches

NSF CAREER ProgramNSF CAREER Program Special program for junior facultySpecial program for junior faculty

– $400K over 5 years$400K over 5 years– Can only apply 3 times to programCan only apply 3 times to program– Higher success rates for fundingHigher success rates for funding

Differences from ‘regular’ proposalsDifferences from ‘regular’ proposals Individual vision vs collaborative researchIndividual vision vs collaborative research Need to show can outline a major research Need to show can outline a major research

investigation -- a career pathinvestigation -- a career path Emphasis on researcher’s personal vision/impactEmphasis on researcher’s personal vision/impact Emphasis on supporting data (e.g., supporting Emphasis on supporting data (e.g., supporting

letters from dept)letters from dept)

Need to ask successful colleagues for Need to ask successful colleagues for example proposalsexample proposals

CAREER Key PointsCAREER Key Points ScopeScope

Neither too small or too largeNeither too small or too largeSequence of ideas (each a Sequence of ideas (each a paper’s worth) part of larger paper’s worth) part of larger investigationinvestigation

Be able to show results already Be able to show results already obtained on some obtained on some

Special thanks to Nasko RountevCSE, Ohio State University

CAREER - Key PointsCAREER - Key Points VisionVision

Why is this problem important Why is this problem important and of potential high impact and of potential high impact to other researchers or to other researchers or computer professionals in computer professionals in general?general?

How is this work different How is this work different from previous work?from previous work?

CAREER - Key PointsCAREER - Key Points Be specificBe specific

State insights that will lead to State insights that will lead to novel solutionsnovel solutions

Enumerate specific products that Enumerate specific products that will have impact will have impact

Explicit plan to accomplish goalsExplicit plan to accomplish goals Convince reader you will succeedConvince reader you will succeed

Why are you right to solve these Why are you right to solve these problems?problems?

CAREER - Key PointsCAREER - Key Points

It’s about career advancement It’s about career advancement and leadership in computingand leadership in computing

Educational plans and real outreach Educational plans and real outreach activities matteractivities matter

NSF keen to integrate teaching and NSF keen to integrate teaching and research, integrating research into the research, integrating research into the CS curriculumCS curriculum

Impact to other scientific disciplines Impact to other scientific disciplines mattermatter

Already accomplished subgoals matterAlready accomplished subgoals matter

Other Kinds of GrantsOther Kinds of Grants

Travel grants for facultyTravel grants for faculty Workshop support grantsWorkshop support grants Broadening participation activities Broadening participation activities

grantsgrants Educational (curriculum) grantsEducational (curriculum) grants

CPATH programCPATH program

More SourcesMore Sources

NSF Grant Proposal Writing GuideNSF Grant Proposal Writing Guidehttp://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpghttp://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg

Interesting U Wisconsin Site:Interesting U Wisconsin Site:http://grants.library.wisc.edu/organizations/proposalwebsites.hthttp://grants.library.wisc.edu/organizations/proposalwebsites.htmlml

Mike Ernst’s (MIT) advice on career proposal writing:Mike Ernst’s (MIT) advice on career proposal writing:http://pag.csail.mit.edu/~mernst/advice/careergrant.htmlhttp://pag.csail.mit.edu/~mernst/advice/careergrant.html

Your university’s grants organization often runs grant Your university’s grants organization often runs grant preparation seminars and invites subscription to grant preparation seminars and invites subscription to grant announcementsannouncements

Successful Fellowship Successful Fellowship ApplicationsApplications

Mary Lou SoffaMary Lou Soffa

University of VirginiaUniversity of Virginia

CRA-W Grad Student Cohort, March 2007

Finding Fellowship Finding Fellowship OpportunitiesOpportunities

Ask your advisor, peersAsk your advisor, peers– Fellowships in your area?Fellowships in your area?– Fellowships at your university?Fellowships at your university?

Search!Search!– Search enginesSearch engines– Scholarship websites Scholarship websites

(e.g. Fastweb.com, Scholarship.com) (e.g. Fastweb.com, Scholarship.com)

Fellowship Fellowship OpportunitiesOpportunities

Government (DHS, NASA, NSF, …)Government (DHS, NASA, NSF, …) Industrial (IBM, Microsoft, …)Industrial (IBM, Microsoft, …) Foundations (Ford, Hertz, …)Foundations (Ford, Hertz, …) University (e.g., Mellon program at University (e.g., Mellon program at

Pitt)Pitt) Opportunities for Women (AT&T Labs, Opportunities for Women (AT&T Labs,

Google Anita Borg, … )Google Anita Borg, … )

When and HowWhen and How

Start looking earlyStart looking early– Deadlines: often early Deadlines: often early

(November to late February)(November to late February) PrioritizePrioritize

– Internship/monetary rewardInternship/monetary reward– PrestigePrestige– Amount of work requiredAmount of work required– Your commitment/promisesYour commitment/promises

Putting Together a Strong Putting Together a Strong ApplicationApplication

Positioning YourselfPositioning Yourself– Make yourself someone your department will want to Make yourself someone your department will want to

“nominate” “nominate” Don’t ignore your GPA, it can matterDon’t ignore your GPA, it can matter Publish, particularly as first-authorPublish, particularly as first-author Finish departmental milestones (prelims/quals, Finish departmental milestones (prelims/quals,

comprehensives, proposals…)comprehensives, proposals…)

Research StatementResearch Statement– Assume your readers are not familiar with your Assume your readers are not familiar with your

particular research area (or sometimes even with particular research area (or sometimes even with Computer Science)!Computer Science)!

Use clear, understandable, non-technical EnglishUse clear, understandable, non-technical English Convince the reader why your research is importantConvince the reader why your research is important

A Strong Application A Strong Application (continued)(continued)

– Convey excitement / significanceConvey excitement / significance– Be both forward and backward Be both forward and backward

lookinglooking How will the award help you complete How will the award help you complete

your PhD (in ways that other alternatives your PhD (in ways that other alternatives wouldn’t)?wouldn’t)?

How will the award build on what you’ve How will the award build on what you’ve already done (and what are your past already done (and what are your past accomplishments)?accomplishments)?

– Be self-contained (don’t assume the Be self-contained (don’t assume the reader will look at your webpage)reader will look at your webpage)

A Strong Application A Strong Application (continued)(continued)

Recommendation LettersRecommendation Letters– Ask someone who knows you professionallyAsk someone who knows you professionally

Curriculum VitaeCurriculum Vitae– Do not “hide” or “pad” informationDo not “hide” or “pad” information– Make explicitMake explicit

Authorship orderAuthorship order Publication quality (category types / acceptance Publication quality (category types / acceptance

rates)rates)

A Strong Application A Strong Application (continued)(continued) Other AdviceOther Advice

– Have lots of people critique / proofread Have lots of people critique / proofread your materials your materials your advisor, other faculty, fellow students, your advisor, other faculty, fellow students,

friends, even your familyfriends, even your family

– Examine prior successful applications, if Examine prior successful applications, if possiblepossible

Example FellowshipExample Fellowship

FellowshipFellowship– NSF Graduate Research Fellowship NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

DeadlineDeadline– November 3November 3

TermsTerms– Citizen of US Citizen of US – No more than 1 year of grad school No more than 1 year of grad school

completed completed – 3 years 3 years – $30,000 per year, tuition, $10,500 tuition $30,000 per year, tuition, $10,500 tuition

allowance, one-time $1000 international allowance, one-time $1000 international travel allowance travel allowance

Inside the ApplicationInside the Application

General formGeneral form Letters of referenceLetters of reference TranscriptsTranscripts EssaysEssays

– Personal history / personal statementPersonal history / personal statement– Past workPast work– Proposed workProposed work– Something creative…Something creative…

Essays, Essays, Essays, Essays, Everywhere…Everywhere…

ENTHUSIASM!ENTHUSIASM!– Why do you love your work?Why do you love your work?

Helping others/other fieldsHelping others/other fields Advancing techniques/researchAdvancing techniques/research Marriage of theory and practiceMarriage of theory and practice

– Why is your work important?Why is your work important?– How will your work affect others?How will your work affect others?– What is the big idea?What is the big idea?

Do NOT get stuck in technical detailsDo NOT get stuck in technical details

Fellowship Pros and ConsFellowship Pros and Cons

ProsPros– Very prestigious Very prestigious – Often comes with summer position, travel Often comes with summer position, travel

moneymoney– Provides a lot of freedomProvides a lot of freedom

ConsCons– Lots of work to track downLots of work to track down– Lots of work to prepare Lots of work to prepare – Extremely competitive to getExtremely competitive to get– Maybe make you less serious about finding Maybe make you less serious about finding

research topicresearch topic

Smaller ExpensesSmaller Expenses

Finding equipment/resources; Finding equipment/resources; – Ask department chairAsk department chair– Ask dean’s officeAsk dean’s office

Buying booksBuying books– Book scholarshipsBook scholarships– TA discountsTA discounts

Finding Travel MoneyFinding Travel Money External travel fundsExternal travel funds Conference fundsConference funds

– VolunteerVolunteer– Apply for a scholarshipApply for a scholarship

Ask professors, department chair, Ask professors, department chair, deandean– Co-authorsCo-authors– AdvisorsAdvisors

Finding Travel MoneyFinding Travel Money External travel fundsExternal travel funds

– Ex: Ex: http://http://women.acm.org/scholarships.htmlwomen.acm.org/scholarships.html ACM SIGsACM SIGs

ConferencesConferences– May include: Registration, hotel, May include: Registration, hotel,

meals, meals, – ApplicationApplication

Advisor informationAdvisor information Submissions?Submissions? Motivation (300 words or so)Motivation (300 words or so)

SummarySummary

Funding is importantFunding is important– Graduate studentGraduate student– Faculty memberFaculty member

– Try to get experience in writing Try to get experience in writing research applications – grants or research applications – grants or fellowshipsfellowships

AcknowledgmentAcknowledgment

Diana Litman, University of Diana Litman, University of PittsburghPittsburgh

Grad Cohort, 2007Grad Cohort, 2007