Eligibility

• The applicant must be pursuing research in an area under the umbrella of the NSF Engineering Directorate.
• The applicant must have completed their PhD (or can have completed up to a second postdoc) between 01/01/2019 - 01/31/2024.
• The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• The applicant must select a faculty advisor that is tenured, or tenure-track faculty, employed at a U.S. academic institution. 
• The advisor the applicant co-creates their application with cannot be the applicant's PhD advisor or current/most recent postdoc advisor.
• The research being proposed by the postdoc must be conducted at a U.S. academic institution.
• The postdoc applicant must coordinate with a faculty postdoc advisor to apply as a pair, developing the application in a collaborative manner. 
• Applicants may submit up to two applications, but only one can be awarded.

Application Includes:

• Contact Information
• Demographic Information
• Citizenship Information
• Academic Background
• Academic CV – 2 pages (pdf upload)
• Discipline 
• Research Proposal (project-based, technical plan) 
• Proposed Fellowship Institution 
• Letter of Reference (Current Research Supervisor) 
• Letter of Reference 
• Letter of Support (Mentor)
• Mentor Department Chair Letter 
• Research Professional Development & Mentoring Plan (additional developmental activities outside the scope of the proposed research project) 

Application Evaluation

• Educational Background: Suitability of educational preparation for undertaking proposed research.
• Strength of References: Knowledge of and ability to judge qualifications of candidate. Content of reference.
• Professional Research Experience: Preparation for proposed research indicated by prior professional experience or prior research center experience.
• Research Productivity: Prior experience and accomplishments of applicant in area of proposed research. Number of papers and quality of outlets (refereed journals, proceedings, monographs and technical reports).
• Research Mentor Endorsement: Strength of commitment of research mentor to participate in the proposed research. Interest in applicant.
• Research Mentor’s Capabilities Relative to the Proposed Research: Match between applicant and faculty advisor pertinent to the proposed research and capability of the institution to provide equipment or other research support.
• Quality and Effectiveness of Research Proposal: Clarity of presentation, organization, and approach. Literature awareness: Significance and feasibility of proposed research.