*Information for*

**GRADUATE**

**RESEARCH**

**FELLOWS**

**March 2001**

**NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION**

**DIRECTORATE FOR EDUCATION AND\
HUMAN RESOURCES**

**ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230-0002**

Information in this booklet is designed to serve

National Science Foundation\
Graduate Research Fellows:

Stipend and Cost-of-Education Allowance

For all awards, the annual (12-month) stipend rate is \$27,500 or
\$2,291 per month (see section 7).

The cost-of-education allowance for a 12-month academic year is \$10,500
(see section 9).

These rates are reviewed annually. The Coordinating Official will be
notified of any changes in these rates.

Graduate Research Fellowship Program

National Science Foundation

4201 Wilson Boulevard\--Room 907N

Arlington, Virginia 22230-0002

> Phone: (703) 292-8694
>
> Fax: (703) 292-9048
>
> E-mail: <grfp@nsf.gov>
>
> Home Page: <http://www.nsf.gov/grfp>

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

of this program is 47.076,

Education and Human Resources

**CONTENTS**

**Section Page**

1\. Awarding Agency and Conditions 2

2\. Communication with NSF 2

3\. Coordinating Official (U.S. Institutions Only) 3

4\. Change of Mailing Address, Electronic Mail Address, or Name 3

5\. Fellowship Period 4

a\. Tenure 4

b\. Reservation 5

> \(1\) Institution during reservation 6
>
> \(2\) Medical deferral 6
>
> \(3\) Military deferral 6

6\. Fellowship Institution 7

a\. Institutional Affiliation 7

b\. Change of Institution 7

> \(1\) Before starting tenure 7
>
> \(2\) Between fellowship years 7
>
> \(3\) During a fellowship year 7

7\. Stipend 8

a\. General 8

b\. U.S. Fellowship Institutions 8

8\. Supplementation to Stipend 8

a\. Affiliated Institution 8

b\. Additional Research Support 9

c\. Veterans\' Benefits 9

d\. ROTC Training Allowance 9

9\. Payment of Tuition and Fees (Cost-of-Education Allowance) 9

10\. Fellows Abroad 10

a\. Foreign Affiliation 10

b\. Science Adviser 10

c\. Stipend Payments 10

> \(1\) Initiation of monthly stipend payments 10
>
> \(2\) Methods of receiving montly payments 11
>
> \(3\) Missing or delayed payments 11

d\. Payment of Tuition and Fees 11

e\. Travel 12

f\. Completion of Foreign Tenure Year 12

11\. Fellowship Activities 12

a\. Advanced Degree Enrollment 12

b\. Teaching 13

c\. Field Work (or Study at Another Institution) 13

d\. Foreign Language Study 14

e\. Program Changes 14

f\. Vacations 14

g\. Awards or Employment during Tenure 14

12\. Additional Fellowship Provisions 15

a\. International Research Travel Allowance 15

b\. Use of Supercomputer 16

c\. Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with\
Disabilities 16

d\. Tenure Beyond the Doctoral Degree 16

13\. Other Fellowship Concerns 16

a\. Income Tax 16

> \(1\) General conditions 16
>
> \(2\) Foreign affiliation 17

b\. Sharing of Findings, Data, and other Research Products 17

c\. Acknowledgment of Support and Disclaimer 17

d\. Legal Rights to Intellectual Property 18

e\. Future Employment 18

f\. National Security 18

g\. Members of the Armed Forces and Federal Employees 18

14\. Annual Reporting 19

a\. Yearly Continuation of the Fellowship, (NSF Form 719) 19

b\. Activities Report, (NSF Form 1080) 19

c\. Starting Certificate, (NSF Form 349) **(for** **Fellows**
**abroad)** 20

d\. Direct Deposit Form for U.S. Banks ONLY, (SF 3881)\
**(for Fellows abroad)** 20

e\. Termination Certificate, (NSF Form 453) **(for Fellows abroad)** 20

15\. Online Forms and Publications from NSF 20

a\. Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) Home Page 21

b\. Online Document System 21

c\. Internet E-Mail 21

Use of U.S.-Flag Air Carriers and Foreign-Flag Air Carriers 23

Index 25

About The National Science Foundation

27

### NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

### DIRECTORATE FOR EDUCATION AND

### HUMAN RESOURCES

### Arlington, VA 22230-0002

**INFORMATION FOR GRADUATE**

**RESEARCH FELLOWS**

**IMPORTANT**

**Read this booklet carefully.** It outlines the terms and conditions of
your Graduate Research Fellowship, and provides general information for
use during your tenure.

**Keep it and refer to it whenever you have a question about your
Graduate Research Fellowship.** The Foundation and your affiliated
institution will thus be able to serve you more quickly and efficiently,
and unnecessary correspondence will be avoided. Future editions of this
booklet will be posted on the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Home Page during the period of your fellowship.

**Fellows must act each year to continue to utilize or to reserve their
fellowships.** This procedure is explained in section 14a.

As a recipient of Federal funds, you are expected to demonstrate a sense
of responsibility in fulfilling the academic and fiscal obligations of
your award. Failure on the part of a Fellow to observe all of the terms
and conditions of a fellowship award constitutes sufficient grounds for
its revocation by the Foundation.

**1. AWARDING AGENCY AND CONDITONS**

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an agency of the Federal
Government. One of its responsibilities is the awarding of graduate
fellowships in science, mathematics, and engineering. The fellowships
offer direct support for full-time study leading to advanced degrees to
individuals who have demonstrated ability and special aptitude in these
areas. Fellows are not considered employees of the National Science
Foundation.

As noted in the award letter, successful applicants must indicate formal
acceptance or declination of the offer by April 30 using NSF Form 179,
*Acceptance/Declination Form for NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.* In
addition, for those individuals accepting the award, the *Certification
Page* must be signed, dated, and returned with the Acceptance Form. If
you indicate that you plan to attend a U.S. institution, the Foundation
obligates funds for your support under an agreement with the institution
of your choice. If you indicate that you plan to attend a foreign
institution, reimbursement will be electronically transferred directly
to your bank account or a U.S. Treasury Check can be mailed to your
address, within the limits outlined in section 10.

**2. COMMUNICATION WITH NSF**

Most of the questions you may have pertaining to your fellowship are
answered in this booklet or can be answered by the Coordinating Official
(see section 3) at your affiliated U.S. institution. If you need to
contact the Foundation concerning your fellowship, please use the
following:

Mail address:

> Graduate Research Fellowship Program
>
> National Science Foundation
>
> 4201 Wilson Boulevard-Room 907N
>
> Arlington, Virginia 22230-0002
>
> Telephone: (703) 292-8694
>
> FAX: (703) 292-9048
>
> Internet e-mail: [grfp@nsf.gov](../grfp@nsf.gov)

Because of the size of this program, NSF uses form letters and
electronic mail extensively. Fellows should know, however, that when the
need arises, direct contact with the program staff is always encouraged.

The Foundation is required to use ZIP codes on all domestic mail. Please
be certain to furnish the proper ZIP code when providing the Foundation
with any address in the United States.

**3. COORDINATING OFFICIAL**

**(U.S. INSTITUTIONS ONLY)**

Each college or university in the United States attended by Graduate
Fellows has named a Coordinating Official (CO)\--usually a graduate dean
or a similar official\--who assists the Foundation in administering
fellowships at that institution. A Directory of Coordinating Officials
lists all COs and their contact information. The Directory is available
on the NSF Online Document System (see section 15). Under the terms of
an agreement with the Foundation, the fellowship institution provides
various services to Fellows at that institution. It is the Fellow\'s
responsibility to contact the Coordinating Official for information and
assistance.

No request to the Foundation regarding a change in your fellowship plan
or an exception to any fellowship guideline will be considered unless
first endorsed by the Coordinating Official. Therefore, Fellows should
discuss such requests with their Coordinating Official before contacting
the Foundation.

There are no Coordinating Officials at institutions outside the United
States. For Fellows abroad, responsibilities normally carried out by the
Coordinating Official in the United States will be divided between the
Fellow and the Science Adviser. For this reason a number of provisions
in this booklet apply specifically to Fellows abroad (see section 10).

**4. CHANGE OF MAILING ADDRESS,**

**ELECTRONIC MAIL ADDRESS, OR NAME**

You should immediately inform your Coordinating Official of any change
of mailing address, e-mail address, or name. Also, please send a copy of
the change to the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship office e-mail
address: <grfp@nsf.gov>.

**5. FELLOWSHIP PERIOD**

The period of your fellowship includes three years of tenure, during
which you receive NSF funding to pursue your graduate work, and two
years of reserve, which you may utilize for alternate activities with
the approval of your Coordinating Official and NSF (see paragraph below
and section 14a). All NSF fellowship tenure must be completed within
five years of your fellowship starting date. The fellowship period is
divided into fellowship years; each comprised of a nine-month academic
year (and up to three months of an associated summer). A fellowship year
cannot be further subdivided into separate periods of utilization and
reservation except for medical deferral or military deferral. Each year
of the fellowship period is funded and administered separately.

Recipients of new three-year awards may begin tenure in the summer
following the award and must begin fellowship tenure not later than the
beginning of the fall term with certain exceptions explained below. In
any case, all NSF fellowship tenure during any year in which you plan to
use your award must start no later than the fall term of that year.

**a. Tenure**

Tenure is the period of time during which you utilize your fellowship to
pursue your advanced degree in science, mathematics, or engineering. It
includes periods of full-time research and independent study whether or
not your school is in session, as well as any normal, short vacation
periods scheduled at your institution. The **starting date** of your
fellowship is the date on which you actually begin your full-time
activities, and your tenure is computed from that date. This need not
necessarily coincide with a formal summer or fall academic session of
your university (though normally it does), and is not defined by the
date on which a stipend check may be issued. (The exact starting date is
to be mutually arranged between you and your Coordinating Official.) New
Fellows should present a copy of their award letter to the Coordinating
Official at their affiliated institution when beginning tenure.

Fellows at institutions outside the United States will receive
*Fellowship Starting Certificates* (NSF Form 349) for notifying the
Foundation directly of their beginning dates (see section 10).

The proper fulfillment of the full-time training obligation assumed by
Fellows will be determined at each institution in accordance with
Foundation requirements. If you terminate your activities at your
institution prior to the completion of your expected tenure, you are
entitled to stipend payments only for those months you were on
fellowship tenure at your university (including possible field work),
the last month being defined for stipend payment purposes as 14 or more
days of tenure.

A Fellow may reduce the tenure of any fellowship year from 12 to no
fewer than 9 months, without penalty other than loss of the tenure and
associated stipend involved in such a reduction, by notifying the
Coordinating Official, or, if abroad, the Foundation directly.

In unusual circumstances and with prior approval, the Foundation will
permit a brief interruption of tenure. Normally in such cases stipend
payments and tenure will be forfeited for the duration of the
interruption.

Should you find it necessary to resign or end your fellowship, you
should notify both the Foundation and your Coordinating Official
immediately.

The maximum period of tenure in any fellowship year is 12 months and may
not be extended for any reason, even in the final year of a fellowship.
No individual will be eligible to receive more than 36 months of NSF
Graduate Research Fellowship support.

**b. Reservation**

With prior Foundation approval, Fellows may reserve any two years over
the five-year period to use an alternative means of support, or to
engage in activities other than graduate study. In either or both of the
years that you do not utilize your award, your fellowship normally will
be reserved for your future use during the permissible five-year period.
Any of the three tenure years not used during the five year period are
considered forfeited. A portion of a year of tenure cannot be reserved
for later use, except for medical deferral or military deferral; thus,
any months not utilized during a year of tenure are forfeited.

All Fellows, including those on reserve, must file NSF Form 719,
*Declaration To Utilize, Reserve Or Terminate A Subsequent Year Of A
3-Year Graduate Fellowship Award,* each year as indicated in section
14a. When returning to active tenure after a period of reserve, Fellows
may change start time from fall to summer or vice versa. When such a
change in start time is made, NSF must be certain that no Fellow
receives more than 36 months of NSF Graduate Fellowship support and that
no Fellow is allowed more than five years from the summer or fall after
the announcement of the award in which to utilize the fellowship
support. Regardless, Fellows exercising this option must enter tenure of
the NSF fellowship no later than the fall of the year that their reserve
status ends.

Since there is no expectation that three years of NSF fellowship support
will be sufficient to complete a doctoral degree program, years of
fellowship tenure may be interspersed with one or two years of other
forms of support, which it is the Fellow\'s responsibility to locate and
obtain. This practice is in keeping with the Foundation\'s objective of
providing Fellows near the beginning of their graduate studies
reasonable assurance of three years of fellowship support, with some
flexibility left to Fellows as to when best use of tenure can be made.

**(1) Institution during reservation.** During a year in which a
fellowship is reserved, the affiliated institution, for Foundation
record purposes, will continue to be the institution at which tenure was
most recently carried out, even if the Fellow subsequently severs
connections with that institution. For this reason, NSF Form 719, the
declaration to utilize or reserve a fellowship in the following year
(see section 14a) will be sent during the year of reservation to the
Coordinating Official at that institution. The change of institution
will be recorded at NSF immediately prior to resumption of tenure at the
new institution, rather than prior to or during a period of fellowship
reservation. For Fellows who reserve the first one or two years of
fellowship tenure, the institution specified on the application form
will be considered the fellowship institution unless the Fellow notifies
the Foundation of a change. In any case, please keep the National
Science Foundation and the Coordinating Official at your institution of
record informed of your current address.

**(2) Medical deferral.** Should serious illness or other medical
condition occur that prevents full-time fellowship activity for an
extended period, you must contact your Coordinating Official regarding
fellowship arrangement during this period.

With Foundation approval, a Fellow may be granted a medical deferral. A
Fellow requesting a medical deferral must secure a letter verifying the
need for a medical deferral from a health care provider and notify the
Coordinating Official, who should contact the Foundation. The unused
portion of the stipend and cost-of-education allowance during the
medical deferral will be reserved for later use by the Fellow. A letter
from a health care provider should accompany a Fellow\'s request to
resume tenure after being on medical deferral. A medical deferral may be
granted for psychological as well as physical reasons, and the nature of
the condition need not be disclosed.

**(3) Military deferral.** Within a given fellowship year a brief
interruption for duly authorized military service or training is
permitted with the approval of your Coordinating Official. In the case
of a longer interruption resulting from active military service or from
certain activities in lieu of service with the regular Armed Forces,
provision can be made for reservation of a fellowship (or the balance of
it) and reinstatement of the unused portion at a later date. In such
cases a Fellow should notify the Foundation immediately in writing of
these plans and request further instructions. Pay received by a Fellow
for occasional attendance at military reserve or National Guard
functions may be received concurrently with support from the Foundation.

**6. FELLOWSHIP INSTITUTION**

**a. Institutional Affiliation**

Fellows must be affiliated at all times during tenure with an
appropriate, accredited, nonprofit U.S. or foreign institution of higher
education. If the Foundation does not raise a question with you
concerning the institution you plan to attend, you may assume your
choice has been approved. You are responsible for making all
arrangements for acceptance at your chosen institution.

**b. Change of Institution**

**(1) Before starting tenure.** If you seek acceptance at an institution
other than the one listed on your fellowship application, please
indicate this change on the *Acceptance/Declination Form For NSF
Graduate Research Fellowship* (NSF Form 179) that is to be submitted by
April 30 following the award announcement.

**(2) Between fellowship years.** A request to change affiliated
institutions between fellowship years is normally made at the time you
submit your annual *Declaration To Utilize, Reserve Or Terminate A
Subsequent Year Of A 3-Year Graduate Fellowship Award* (NSF Form 719) to
your Coordinating Official. The signature of your Coordinating Official
or Science Adviser on this form is usually sufficient to support your
request. If a decision to change institutions is made subsequent to
submission of your annual declaration, you must submit a written request
to NSF accompanied by a statement from your Coordinating Official or
Science Adviser indicating that your work has continued to be
satisfactory as well as evidence of acceptance at your new school.

**(3) During a fellowship year.** If you wish to transfer from one
institution to another during a fellowship year, you must notify the NSF
and attach (1) a statement from your Coordinating Official or Science
Adviser indicating that your work has continued to be satisfactory, and
(2) evidence of acceptance in a graduate degree program from your
proposed affiliated institution. The Coordinating Official at your
current institution will indicate the amount of stipend paid and the
amount of the cost-of-education allowance claimed. You must contact the
Coordinating Official at your new institution in order to ensure proper
transfer and continued payment of your stipend allowances. In order to
receive continued fellowship support when transferring from one
institution to another, there must be only minimal disruption in your
enrollment and pursuit of academic goals. Please be advised, however,
that because of differing payment schedules at U.S. institutions, there
may be some disruption in your receipt of stipend payments.

**7. STIPEND**

**a. General**

The Graduate Research Fellowship stipend is as specified at the
beginning of this booklet and is subject to periodic review. No
dependency allowances are provided. There is no travel allowance for the
purpose of assisting you in reaching your affiliated institution in the
United States or for any other domestic travel.

The Foundation reserves the right to withhold your stipend if you do not
conform to the standards of conduct of your affiliated institution and
the National Science Foundation, pending a satisfactory explanation. Any
stipend payment received for a period in which you were not actually
engaged in fellowship activities must be refunded either to the U.S.
institution involved or, if you were attending a foreign institution, to
the Foundation.

**b. U.S. Fellowship Institutions**

At U.S. fellowship institutions all arrangements for payment of your
stipend are handled by your affiliated institution through the
Coordinating Official. It is your responsibility to ascertain the method
of payment and plan your activities accordingly. Your Coordinating
Official will explain the exact procedures employed by your institution.

**8. SUPPLEMENTATION TO STIPEND**

**a. Affiliated Institution**

The institution may, if it deems such action desirable, augment NSF
Fellows\' stipends from institutional funds in such amounts as are in
accordance with the supplementation policies of the affiliated
institution. In the context of this quideline, funds that the
institution has obtained from external (including Federal) sources may
be considered institutional funds (see section 11g).

**b. Additional Research Support**

The fellowship award does not provide allowances for special student
needs, such as research expenses, travel to scientific conferences,
computers, books and publications, fieldwork expenses, special study,
etc. Fellows may request support from other sources for such needs.

**c. Veterans' Benefits**

The receipt of educational benefits from the Veterans Administration is
not considered by NSF as payment supplementary to support from the
Foundation and may be received concurrently with such support.

**d. ROTC Training Allowance**

Fellows enrolled for duly authorized ROTC training may accept the
associated allowance. This allowance is not regarded by the Foundation
as supplementation and may be received concurrently with such support.

**9. PAYMENT OF TUITION AND FEES**

**(COST-OF-EDUCATION ALLOWANCE)**

The Foundation provides your affiliated institution in the United States
with a fixed cost-of-education allowance, as specified at the beginning
of this booklet. During tenure Fellows will be exempt from paying
tuition and fees normally charged to students of similar academic
standing. You will, however, be required to pay any fees or deposits
that are refundable in whole or in part, or that are optional, or that
were incurred prior to the actual start of fellowship tenure (e.g., an
\"Application for Admission\" fee). All living expenses are the
responsibility of the Fellow. See section 11c concerning tuition and
fees charged by an institution or laboratory other than your affiliated
institution.

The Foundation makes available this fixed cost-of-education allowance
without regard to the actual amount of tuition and fees involved. This
policy is based on the desire of the Foundation to contribute
approximately the same percentage of the actual costs of the graduate
education of all Fellows, regardless of how various graduate
institutions normally generate income from endowments, public funds,
tuition or other sources. The use of this cost-of-education allowance is
entirely at the discretion of your affiliated institution.

**10. FELLOWS ABROAD**

**a. Foreign Affiliation**

If you intend to affiliate with a foreign institution, you must submit,
as soon as possible, evidence from that institution that you have been
accepted for study in a graduate degree program in one of the fields
supported by the Foundation (unless such evidence was submitted with
your fellowship application materials). A post-graduate degree program
of study leading to an Honors degree at the baccalaureate level is
unacceptable. In addition, all arrangements for affiliation with your
foreign institution and provision for living quarters are your
responsibility. You will be responsible for making all arrangements for
securing any necessary passport or visas.

It is the responsibility of the Fellow to assure that any research
activities carried on outside the United States comply with the laws or
regulations of the foreign country in which the research is to be
conducted. In some countries the foreign research activities
contemplated in the proposed plan should be coordinated with the
appropriate U.S. and foreign government authorities, and necessary
licenses, permits, or approvals should be obtained prior to undertaking
the proposed activities.

**b. Science Adviser**

Your Science Adviser is the principal professor under whose guidance you
are pursuing your fellowship activities.

Fellows studying abroad should keep the Foundation informed at all times
of the names and addresses of their Science Advisers, since these are
the individuals with whom the Foundation will correspond if questions
arise concerning their fellowships.

**c. Stipend Payments**

**(1) Initiation of monthly stipend payments.** A *Fellowship Starting
Certificate* (NSF Form 349) will be sent in advance of tenure and should
be completed and returned to the Graduate Research Fellowship Program
office at NSF as soon as possible after beginning tenure. In addition,
an *ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment Enrollment Form* (SF 3881) should
be completed and sent to the Division of Financial Management, NSF, 4201
Wilson Boulevard\--Room 575S, Arlington, VA 22230-0002 USA. (Note: Both
forms can be downloaded from NSF, see section 15a.) Regular monthly
stipend payments will not be authorized until these forms are properly
completed and returned to the Foundation. Since it normally requires
four to six weeks to process these forms, a Fellow should make
provisions to maintain herself or himself during this period.

**(2) Methods of receiving monthly payments.** There are two ways to
receive fellowship payments: (1) electronically deposited directly to
the Fellow's personal checking/savings account in a U.S. bank or (2)
U.S. Treasury Checks mailed directly to the Fellow's home address or
foreign address (Please note: Fellows have informed NSF that checks
mailed to a foreign site have experienced some delays; this can take up
to 10 business days). Both methods require submission of form SF-3881.
However, if you wish to receive Treasury Checks, indicate on the
SF-3881, "WANT TO RECEIVE PAYMENTS BY TREASURY CHECK". It is strongly
recommended that Fellows attending foreign institutions establish an
account with a U.S. financial institution to receive fellowship funds by
electronic means.

**(3) Missing or delayed payments.** If you experience any problems with
receiving your monthly payments, please contact the Graduate Research
Fellowship Program at NSF. The Foundation will forward the information
to the U.S. Treasury Department after adding appropriate fiscal
information. It usually takes at least four weeks to have a new transfer
arranged.

**d. Payment of Tuition and Fees**

In view of the diversity and complexity of financial charges made by
foreign institutions, the Foundation will pay only those foreign
institution tuitions and required fees that are normally assessed of all
students of similar standing, exclusive of fees or deposits that are
refundable in whole or in part, or that are of an optional nature, or
that were incurred prior to the actual start of fellowship tenure (e.g.,
an "Application for Admission" fee). When you send a Starting
Certificate to NSF, you can also send either an original statement from
the university bursar regarding tuition and fees that are due, or a
certified paid receipt for eligible charges from the affiliated
institution to be reimbursed. NSF will pay to the Fellow the U.S. dollar
equivalent, based on the exchange rate on the day the request is
processed, up to the maximum of the annual cost-of-education allowance,
in the same manner as the stipend is paid (electronic fund transfer to a
U.S. bank or a U.S. Treasury Check mailed to the home or foreign address
of the fellow).

Since the Foundation limits tuition and fee reimbursement at foreign
institutions to an amount equivalent to the cost-of-education allowance
paid to U.S. institutions, any bills in excess of the specified maximum
amount of the cost-of-education allowance during any tenure year are the
responsibility of the Fellow, and will not be paid by the Foundation.
Therefore, if the cost-of-education allowance exceeds the foreign
tuition and fees, the balance will not be made available to the Fellow.

**e. Travel**

Once fellowship tenure begins, a Fellow attending a foreign institution
can request the one-time \$1000 International Research Travel Allowance
by completing and submitting the *Fellowship Travel Certificate* (NSF
Form 524) to assist in getting to the institution abroad (see section
12a).

**f. Completion of Foreign Tenure Year**

A *Fellowship Termination Certificate and Grant Fiscal Report* (NSF Form
453) **must be completed and returned immediately upon completion of
each tenure period**, normally one year, at a foreign institution (see
section 14e).

The annual activities report (NSF Form 1080) can be completed at the
same time and returned with the termination certificate (see section
14b).

**11. FELLOWSHIP ACTIVITIES**

**a. Advanced Degree Enrollment**

In addition to satisfactory institutional affiliation, a Fellow must be
enrolled at all times during tenure in a full-time program leading to an
advanced degree in one of the fields supported by the Foundation.
However, the requirement of formal registration may be waived during
part of this tenure, when appropriate, if permitted by the policy of the
fellowship institution, provided that the Fellow otherwise remains
engaged in appropriate full-time fellowship activities. The Fellow must
submit a written request for waiver of registration to the Foundation
accompanied by a statement from the Coordinating Official or Science
Adviser indicating their recommendation for approval.

**b. Teaching**

As a Fellow, you will be required to devote full time to advanced
scientific study or research during your tenure, including a reasonable
amount of such teaching or similar activities as are in the opinion of
the faculty of your institution contributory to your academic progress.
You may, therefore, engage in teaching or comparable activities at only
your affiliated institution without having to obtain the Foundation\'s
approval. From the Foundation\'s point of view, furtherance of your
educational objectives and the gain of substantive teaching experience,
not service to your institution as such, should be the purpose of these
activities. If you teach or engage in similar activities, all decisions
regarding augmentation of your stipend within the limits outlined in
section 8 will be made by your affiliated institution.

NSF permits institutions to require appropriate service of Fellows by
appointment to positions that can generate additional income to cover
any difference between the cost-of-education allowance and tuition. Any
such required service must be contributory to the progress of the Fellow
toward an advanced degree and must not be expected to delay that
progress. Any such required work must not adversely affect a Fellow\'s
full-time study. Fellows are strongly encouraged to determine the plans
regarding any such required service of their proposed fellowship
institutions before committing to enroll in any particular school.

**c. Field Work (or Study at Another Institution)**

If, in the opinion of the faculty of your affiliated institution, it is
desirable for you to study or to engage in research at another
institution or laboratory during any part of your tenure, you may do so
without having to obtain the Foundation\'s approval. It should be noted,
however, that the Foundation\'s responsibility with respect to any
Graduate Research Fellow is to the Fellow\'s affiliated institution
only, and not to the \"visited\" institution or laboratory. The
Foundation specifically cannot assume responsibility for educational
costs assessed by another institution at which a Fellow may be studying
temporarily. Regardless of your physical location, you will be
considered by the Foundation as being identified with your affiliated
institution only.

Plans for field work or study at another institution must be approved
either by your Coordinating Official (if at a U.S. institution) or by
your Science Adviser (if at a foreign institution).

**d. Foreign Language Study**

Formal study of a foreign language, constituting a portion of your
studies as a Fellow, would be appropriate in those cases in which such
study is required in your degree program and is recommended by your
faculty advisers.

**e. Program Changes**

Minor changes in your program may be made subject to the approval of
your affiliated institution. A major change in your program\--one that
alters your program to the extent that it is significantly different
from that originally submitted with your application (e.g., a change of
field)\--must receive the prior approval of your Coordinating Official
or Science Adviser. In addition, you must submit a revised proposed plan
of study or research for NSF approval.

**f. Vacations**

NSF fellowships do not provide a vacation period, as such, during
fellowship tenure. You are entitled to the normal, short holiday periods
observed by your fellowship institution, such as winter or spring
holidays, and short between-term periods. \"Vacation time\" may not be
accumulated for later use. There is considerable variation in
institutional practices in the matter of vacations, but, if your
institution should close for a long period of time, you will be expected
to have made prior arrangements for the use of necessary facilities and
resources to carry out your program. If it is not possible for you to
make these arrangements at your affiliated institution, you should make
other satisfactory arrangements, with Foundation approval, to carry on
your work.

**g. Awards or Employment during Tenure**

You may not receive funds from another major fellowship, scholarship, or
similar award, except as permitted under the provisions of section 8.
However, you are permitted to solicit and accept support from any
appropriate sources for research expenses connected with your fellowship
activities. The Foundation is not concerned with gifts or loans of any
kind that you may receive.

During the tenure of your fellowship (except for scheduled short
vacation periods) you will be expected to devote full time to the
advancement of your graduate education. Employment at an on- or
off-campus site that does not jeopardize a Fellow\'s full-time
commitment to graduate study and is consistent with university policy is
usually permitted. However, before a Fellow engages in such work,
permission of the NSF and the Coordinating Official must be obtained.
Requests for approval of employment during tenure are reviewed by NSF on
a case-by-case basis. Such requests should include the following
information: nature of employment, relation to graduate degree program,
number of hours per week or month, permission from a Coordinating
Official (U.S. Institutions) or faculty or Science Advisor (Foreign
Institutions).

**12. ADDITIONAL FELLOWSHIP PROVISIONS**

**a. International Research Travel Allowance**

For those Fellows who plan to study or do research full-time at a
foreign site **for at least three continuous months**, the Foundation
will provide a one-time International Research Travel Allowance of
\$1,000 to assist the Fellow to travel to and from the foreign site. The
activities proposed must be expected to contribute to the Fellow\'s
advanced degree objectives. The period abroad may include any
combination of tenure and reserve years otherwise permitted under the
program guidelines. The allowance may be used at any appropriate time
once tenure has begun and within the five years during which fellowship
tenure may be utilized. Fellows may request this allowance on the
Acceptance/Declination form (NSF Form 179) or the annual
Declaration/Utilization form (NSF Form 719) or by submitting a written
request, approved by the Coordinating Official, to the program office.
Each request must describe the proposed activities as well as the
proposed schedule.

Travel in the U.S., its possessions, and Puerto Rico is considered
domestic travel. Travel outside the areas specified above is considered
foreign travel. The International Research Travel Allowance falls under
the foreign travel classification.

Once tenure begins, a Fellow attending a foreign institution can request
the one-time \$1,000 International Research Travel Allowance to assist
in getting to the institution abroad. The *Fellowship Travel
Certificate* (NSF Form 524) should be completed and returned to the
Graduate Research Fellowship Program office at NSF. Once approved, the
allowance will be direct deposited or sent as a U.S. Treasury Check, as
explained in section 10c(2).

Use of U.S. flag air carriers by international travel allowance
recipients is required by the International Air Transportation Fair
Competitive Practices Act of 1974 known as the \"Fly America Act\" (see
page 23).

**b. Use of Supercomputer**

Fellows as well as Honorable Mention recipients may request computer
time at one of the Foundation-supported Supercomputer Centers. The
Centers will consider requests for supercomputer use in support of the
research project that is or will be part of your full-time advanced
degree work. Unless precluded by future events, requests must be
submitted within five years from announcement of Honorable Mention or
from the date of the start of your fellowship period for Fellows. A form
for requesting supercomputer time is included in the fellowship award
packet and with the notification letter to Honorable Mention recipients.
Individuals should contact the program office to initiate a request.

**c. Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with**

**Disabilities**

All fellowship awardees and Honorable Mention recipients who have
disabilities may apply for funding through the Facilitation Awards for
Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) program for special
assistance or equipment. See the FASED program announcement or contact
the program coordinator at (703) 292-6865 for more information.

**d. Tenure Beyond the Doctoral Degree**

If you attain your doctoral degree before completion of your fellowship
tenure year, you may either resign at the time you complete the
requirements for your doctoral degree or continue to engage in
appropriate fellowship activities at your affiliated institution for a
brief period not to extend beyond the normal termination date of the
fellowship year involved. You should seek the advice of either your
Coordinating Official or your Science Adviser.

**13. OTHER FELLOWSHIP CONCERNS**

**a. Income Tax**

**(1) General conditions.** University policies regarding withholding of
taxes from stipend payments vary, and Fellows must bear the
responsibility of paying any tax, domestic or foreign, when due.
Specific questions regarding taxation of fellowship funding should be
referred to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Fellows are not in any sense salaried employees of the National Science
Foundation nor of their affiliated institution. The NSF and most
institutions will not deduct income taxes or Social Security taxes from
the stipend, and no W-2 forms will be issued. However, some universities
do withhold taxes. The Fellow must make provision for the filing of all
income taxes that may become due. It is the Fellow\'s responsibility to
learn the university\'s policy.

Fellows may request a statement of earnings from the fellowship
institution.

**(2) Foreign affiliation.** A statement of funds received (including
travel allowance) will be issued by the NSF Division of Financial
Management upon request by those Fellows who are attending a foreign
institution.

The Foundation is unable to supply information concerning the income tax
or other tax provisions of any foreign country. Inquiries should be
directed to the authorities in the appropriate countries.

Fellows going abroad may find it helpful to consult Internal Revenue
Service Publication No. 54, Tax Guide For U.S. Citizens And Resident
Aliens Abroad, and Publication No. 520, Scholarships And Fellowships.
These are available at all IRS district offices. You can download these
publications from the IRS Home Page at
<http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/forms_pubs/pubs.html>

**b. Sharing of Findings, Data and Other Research Products**

NSF advocates and encourages open scientific communication. NSF expects
significant research results and educational activities to be promptly
made public without restriction. It also encourages Fellows to share
software and inventions, once appropriate protection for them has been
secured, and otherwise act to make the innovations they embody widely
useful and usable. The Fellowship Program would appreciate receiving
notice of Fellows\' publications, but it is not necessary to send a copy
of the publications, paper, thesis, or dissertation.

**c. Acknowledgment of Support and Disclaimer**

An acknowledgment of NSF support and a disclaimer must appear in
publications including World Wide Web pages of any material, whether
copyrighted or not, based on or developed under the project being
reported, in the following terms:

\"This material is based upon work supported under a National Science
Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.\"

Except for articles or papers published in scientific, technical, or
professional journals, the following disclaimer should be included:

\"Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in
this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.\"

**d. Legal Rights to Intellectual Property**

The National Science Foundation normally allows Fellows to retain
principal legal rights to intellectual property developed under a
fellowship award. This policy provides incentive for development and
dissemination of inventions, software, and publications that can enhance
their usefulness, accessibility, and upkeep. It does not, however,
reduce the responsibility of Fellows and their affiliated institutions
to make results, data, and collections available to the research
community.

**e. Future Employment**

The offer and acceptance of this fellowship does not obligate you, the
Foundation or the United States Government in any way with regard to
future employment or service of any kind.

**f. National Security**

Fellows are obliged to report promptly to the Foundation, prior to
disclosure to others, any discoveries that are made or data that are
developed that could reasonably be considered as likely to affect the
national security or the national defense. Doubtful cases should be
referred to the Foundation prior to disclosure of any information
concerning them.

**g. Members of the Armed Forces and Federal Employees**

If during the tenure of your fellowship you will be a member of the
Armed Forces (other than as a participant of an ROTC program) or on
leave from a position in the Federal Service, it is your responsibility
to so inform the Foundation and have a cognizant official of the
Government organization involved file a statement with the Foundation
outlining the funds that will be made available by your employer and the
specific purpose for which they are provided to you. The Foundation and
your organization must reach a mutually satisfactory agreement regarding
your support during tenure before any funds can be provided

under your fellowship. Normally, if you will be receiving active duty
military pay, the fellowship stipend is forfeited; however, the
institution can utilize the cost-of-education allowance.

**14. ANNUAL REPORTING**

**a. Yearly Continuation of the Fellowship,** (NSF Form 719)

NSF Form 719, *Declaration To Utilize, Reserve Or Terminate A Subsequent
Year Of A 3-Year Graduate Fellowship Award*, which is sent to you in the
Spring through your Coordinating Official or directly if you are abroad,
is for the purpose of declaring whether you will utilize or reserve your
fellowship for the following year. **All Fellows, including those on
reserve, military deferral or medical deferral, must file this form each
year. Failure to declare your intent at this time results in your
fellowship being considered as resigned.** If you are in the first or
second year of the three-year award and have not already reserved your
fellowship for the maximum period of two years, you are eligible to
utilize or reserve your fellowship during the next academic year. The
utilization or reservation of your fellowship is contingent upon
certification by your affiliated institution of satisfactory progress
toward an advanced degree and your institution\'s approval of any
alternate plans. If, before beginning tenure in a subsequent year of the
award, your institution withdraws its certification, all remaining years
of tenure will be canceled.

The utilization of a fellowship awarded to you in a prior year is
contingent upon the availability of funds.

**b. Activities Report,** (NSF Form 1080)

In April of each year of tenure, a letter will be sent to you through
your Coordinating Official, requesting a brief report on your
experiences and accomplishments during the past year. NSF Graduate
Research Fellows abroad are also requested to submit an Activities
Report (see section 10f). Within 30 days after the end of that year, you
are expected to submit NSF Form 1080, Activities Report for Graduate
Fellowship Year 200\_-0\_, directly to the Foundation. The Foundation is
always interested in receiving captioned photographs and learning of
noteworthy accomplishments that merit public attention. Also, you may
wish to offer suggestions regarding the administration of the award.

**c. Starting Certificate,** (NSF Form 349)

**(for Fellows abroad)**

If you are studying at an institution abroad, NSF Form 349, Fellowship
Starting Certificate serves as authority to begin your stipend payments.
Each year after you have begun tenure, complete a Starting Certificate
form, obtain your Science Adviser\'s original signature, and submit the
form to the Graduate Research Fellowship Program at NSF.

**d. Direct Deposit Form for U.S. Banks Only,** (SF 3881)

**(for Fellows abroad)**

The *ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment Enrollment Form* (SF 3881) should
be submitted to the Division of Financial Management at NSF in order for
the U.S. Treasury Department to transmit payment data by electronic
means to the Fellow\'s U.S. bank account.

**e. Termination Certificate,** (NSF Form 453)

**(for Fellows Abroad)**

If you are studying at an institution abroad, NSF Form 453, Fellowship
Termination Certificate and Grant Fiscal Report, will be mailed to you
each year to complete and return to the Foundation immediately upon
completion of your tenure period. This form is to be signed by your
Science Adviser (or an appropriate official of your affiliated
institution), and must show the date you actually completed your
fellowship activities, but must not be submitted in advance of your
termination date. The annual submission of this form is required to
satisfy minimum accounting regulations of the Federal Government and to
verify that you have fulfilled the obligation of your fellowship tenure
for which Federal funds were provided.

**15. ONLINE FORMS AND PUBLICATIONS FROM**

**NSF**

The majority of forms and publications for the Graduate Research
Fellowship Program (GRFP) are available electronically on the NSF Home
Page via the World Wide Web at:
[http://www.nsf.gov](http://www.nsf.gov/)*.* In addition, documents can
be accessed from the Graduate Research Fellowship Home Page or may be
requested by e-mail. We recommend that you use these electronic methods
for fast, easy access. Note that the PDF forms require using Adobe
Acrobat Reader for viewing and printing. The Acrobat Reader software can
be downloaded free of charge from:
<http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html>

**a. Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) Home**

**Page**

Fellowship forms and publications are accessible from the GRFP Home Page
at: <http://www.nsf.gov/grfp>. This page provides convenient links to
the NSF Online Document system.

**b. Online Document System**

With Internet access, you can pull up fellowship forms in either a PDF
printable blank form or a MS Word online form. Once on the NSF Home
Page, click on "Publications" at the top of the page. Then click on
"Search or Browse by Type". Scroll down to "Search by Document Number"
and enter the file name. The following forms are available.

file name fellowship form

fmgf1080 Annual Activities Report

fmgf349 Fellowship Starting Certificate

fmgf3881 ACH Payment Form (U.S. banking form)

fmgf453 Fellowship Termination Certificate

fmgf524 Travel Certificate

fmgf719 Yearly Continuation of Fellowship

The Information for Graduate Research Fellows booklet and A Directory of
Coordinating Officials are also available.

**NSF 01-94** Information booklet as a HTML document, PDF, or MS Word
document.

**NSF 01-71** CO Directory as a HTML document, PDF, or MS Word document.

**c. Internet E-mail**

With access only to Internet electronic mail, you can have the forms
sent to you via e-mail. Each form is available in two versions: a PDF
printable blank form and a MS Word online form. You can send a GET
message to the NSF database and each form requested will be
automatically sent to your e-mail address in a separate return e-mail
message. Save the file to a directory and pull it into Word (.doc) or
Adobe Acrobat Reader (.pdf).

To receive forms by e-mail, send an electronic mail message to:
[getpub@nsf.gov](../getpub@nsf.gov)

Leave the subject line blank. In the body of the message enter the GET
command followed by the file name. You must specify .pdf or .doc file.
Example:

> get fmgf719.doc
>
> get fmgf719.pdf

**Use of U.S.-Flag Air Carriers and Foreign-Flag Air Carriers**

(Reprinted from GC-1, NSF Grant General Conditions)

Use of U.S.-Flag Air Carriers

\(1\) The Comptroller General of the United States, by Decision

B-138942 of June 17, 1975, as amended March 31, 1981,

> provided guidelines for implementation of Section 5 of the

International Air Transportation Fair Competitive Practices

Act of 1974 (49 U.S.C. 1517).

\(2\) Any air transportation to, from, between, or within a country

> other than the United States of persons or property, the
>
> expense of which will be assisted by NSF funding, must be

performed by a U.S.-flag air carrier if service provided by

such a carrier is available.

\(3\) For the purposes of this requirement, U.S.-flag air carrier

service is considered available even though:

\(a\) comparable or a different kind of service can be

provided at less cost by a foreign-flag air carrier;

\(b\) foreign-flag air carrier service is preferred by, or is more

convenient for, the Foundation or traveler; or

\(c\) service by a foreign-flag air carrier can be paid for in

excess foreign currency.

\(4\) The following rules apply unless their application would

result in the first or last leg of travel from or to the United

States being performed by a foreign-flag air carrier:

\(a\) A U.S.-flag air carrier shall be used to destination or, in

the absence of direct or through service, to the farthest

interchange point on a usually traveled route.

\(b\) If a U.S.-flag air carrier does not serve an origin or

interchange point, a foreign-flag air carrier shall be used

only to the nearest interchange point on a usually

traveled route to connect with a U.S.-flag air carrier.

\(c\) If a U.S.-flag air carrier involuntarily reroutes the

traveler via a foreign-flag air carrier, the foreign-flag air

carrier may be used notwithstanding the availability of

alternative U.S.-flag air carrier service.

Use of Foreign-Flag Air Carriers

\(1\) Travel To and From the United States. Use of a foreign-flag

air carrier is permissible if:

\(a\) the airport abroad is the traveler's origin or destination

airport, and use of U.S.-flag air carrier service would

extend the time in a travel status by at least 24 hours

more than travel by a foreign-flag air carrier; or

\(b\) the airport abroad is an interchange point, and use of

U.S.-flag air carrier service would require the traveler to

wait 6 hours or more to make connections at that point,

or would extend the time in a travel status by at least 6

hours more than travel by a foreign-flag air carrier.

\(2\) Travel Between Points Outside the United States. Use of a

foreign-flag air carrier is permissible if:

\(a\) travel by a foreign-flag air carrier would eliminate two or

more aircraft changes en route;

\(b\) travel by U.S.-flag air carrier would extend the time in a

travel status by at least 6 hours more than travel by a

foreign-flag air carrier; or

\(c\) the travel is not part of the trip to or from the Untied

States, and use of a U.S.-flag air carrier would extend

the time in a travel status by at least 6 hours more than

travel by a foreign-flag air carrier.

\(3\) Short Distance Travel. For all short distance travel,

regardless of origin and destination, use of a foreign-flag air

carrier is permissible if the elapsed travel time on a

scheduled flight from origin to destination airport by a

foreign-flag air carrier is 3 hours or less and service by a

U.S.-flag air carrier would double the travel time.

**Index** **Page**

Acknowledgment of Support and Disclaimer 17

Additional Fellowship Provisions 15

Address, Change of 3

Address for Writing NSF 2

Advanced Degree Enrollment 12

Annual Reporting (Activities Report) 12, 19

Awarding Agency and Conditions 2

Awards, Other 14

Change of Institution 7

Continuation of Fellowship 19

Coordinating Official 3

Cost-of-Education Allowance 9

Direct Deposit 20

Disabilities, Scientists with 16, 27

Electronic Forms & Publications 20

Employment 14, 18

Federal Employees 18

Fees 9, 10, 11

Fellows Abroad 10

Fellowship Activities 12

Fellowship Institution - Affiliation 7

Change 7

Foreign 10

Fellowship Period, Definition 4

Field Change 14

Field Work 4, 13

Fly America Act 15, 23

Foreign Language Study 14

Foreign Affiliation 10, 17

Future Employment 18

Holidays 14

Home Page front of booklet, 21

Income Tax 16

Index 25

Institution During Reservation 5, 6

International Research Travel Allowance 15

Internet E-Mail 21

Legal Rights To Intellectual Property 18

Medical Deferral 6

Military Deferral 6

Military Service 9,18

Name, Change of 3

National Security 18

Online Forms and Publications from NSF 20

Passport Arrangements 10

Program Changes 14

Publication Policy 17

Reservation 5

Reports, Annual 12, 19

ROTC Training Allowance 9

Science Adviser 3, 7, 10, 13, 14, 15, 20

Starting Certificate 4, 10, 20, 21

Starting Date 4

Stipend 8

Amount front of booklet

Fellows Abroad 10, 11

Payment Procedures 11, 12

Supplementation 8

Study Away from Affiliated Institution 13

Supercomputer Use 16

Teaching 13

Tenure 4, 5

Tenure Beyond the Doctoral Degree 16

Termination Certificate 12, 20, 21

Travel 12, 15

Tuition 9, 11, 12

Vacations 14

Veterans\' Benefits 9

**About the National Science Foundation**

The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds research and education in
most fields of science and engineering. Grantees are wholly responsible
for conducting their project activities and preparing the results for
publication. Thus, the Foundation does not assume responsibility for
such findings or their interpretation.

NSF welcomes proposals from all qualified scientists, engineers and
educators. The Foundation strongly encourages women, minorities, and
persons with disabilities to compete fully in its programs. In
accordance with Federal statutes, regulations, and NSF policies, no
person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or
disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the
benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or
activity receiving financial assistance from NSF (unless otherwise
specified in the eligibility requirements for a particular program).

Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities
(FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable
persons with disabilities (investigators and other staff, including
student research assistants) to work on NSF-supported projects. See the
program announcement or contact the program coordinator at (703)
292-6865.

The National Science Foundation has Telephonic Device for the Deaf (TDD)
and Federal Relay Service (FRS) capabilities that enable individuals
with hearing impairments to communicate with the Foundation regarding
NSF programs, employment, or general information. TDD may be accessed at
(703) 292-5090 or through FRS on 1-800-877-8339.

The National Science Foundation is committed to making all of the
information we publish easy to understand. If you have a suggestion
about how to improve the clarity of this document or other NSF-published
materials, please contact us at <plainlanguage@nsf.gov>.

![](media/image1.png){width="1.3305555555555555in" height="1.325in"}

The National Science Foundation promotes and advances scientific
progress in the United States by competitively awarding grants for
research and education in the sciences, mathematics and engineering.

To get the latest information about program deadlines, to download
copies of NSF publications, and to access abstracts of awards, visit the
NSF Web site at:

[**http://www.nsf.gov**](http://www.nsf.gov/)

**Location:** 4201 Wilson Blvd.\
Arlington, VA 22230

**For General Information (NSF Information Center):\
**

\(703\) 292-5111

**TDD (for the hearing-impaired):** (703) 292-5090

**To Order Publications or Forms:**

Send an e-mail to: <pubs@nsf.gov>

or telephone: (301) 947-2722

**To Locate NSF Employees:** (703) 292-5111