Resource Sharing
Hi folks! Below I have shared some materials I have used for developing my NSF GRFP and NIH K99/R00 applications. I've also written some thoughts about choosing a postdoc. Feel free to share this page with others if you find it useful.
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Here is the official NSF GRFP website for all the information you need to know about the fellowship.
Here a self-assessment rubric I used. Keep in mind, I applied in 2017, so this might have changed.
Here is my own research statement.
My biggest advice is to reach out to those who have received the fellowship to politely ask for their materials. Even people you do not know. I believe the NSF publishes a list of recipients each year. Look through the list and find people in your own field and contact them. The worst is they do not respond. No problem! Reach out to more people! Chances are, you will meet many kind individuals who would be more than happy to help uplift another peer.
NIH K99/R00 Grant
Here is the official NIH website for information about the K99/R00.
Here are two blogs from folks online that I have found informative with lots of details about the application process.
Here is where you can find success rates of Ks and all other NIH grants by year and institution:
My institute, NICHD, has a success rate around 30% each year, which it is not bad. If your application is relevant for multiple institutes, it might be worthwhile to look at their success rates to know which might give you a better chance of getting funded. Even scholars with temporary visas can apply.
If you go here, you will find publicly available applications released by the NIA (National Institute of Aging). But they might not be as field-relevant.
Here is my biosketch for my application. This is a common component of any NIH grant application so it is good to consider developing one. I'm happy to share more materials if you reach out to me personally.
And as always, I recommend reaching out widely to other previous recipients to politely ask for their materials. The NIH reporter website is where I go to search for K99 applications that have been funded. If you do advanced filter by K99, your NIH institute of interest, year, and key words, you will be able to find some that are particularly relevant to your own research. It shows a short summary of each project and you can determine whether the project is field-relevant to yours. Then you can email the PI to see if they’re willing to share their materials with you. I was able to connect with two generous peers that way.
One last thing, the waiting game for the NIH is longgg and is based on what cycle you applied, when Congress passes the budget, and how quickly your NIH institute works. Basically, everything outside of your control after submission! Be prepared to not know for certain whether you will receive the K for an entire year or even longer (although you should receive your impact score at a reasonable time and would have some ideas early on whether you should resubmit a second time or wait). Keep in contact with your program officer.
Considering a Postdoc in Sociology?
Due to the competitive nature of the academic job market, postdocs have become increasingly common in the social sciences in the US, including sociology. For those who are considering a postdoc, here are some advice from others that I've found helpful as well as some observations of my own. Take it with a grain of salt and use your own judgement regarding what is best for you.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a postdoc?
Advantages of a postdoc come in terms of time and opportunity
Time:
to get more papers published and develop your research agenda further
to seriously consider whether you want to continue down the academic route (after finally attaining your PhD)
to recover from your burnout and breathe before taking on new teaching/service demands as a faculty
Opportunity
to develop new areas of expertise and skills
to create new social ties for collaboration or mentoring
to see how a different academic institution work
Disadvantages manifest largely in terms of instability
Instability
in relationships: people move in and out of your life more quickly as a postdoc, either because you have to leave or they have to go. Maintaining meaningful friendships or romantic relationships can be difficult.
in finance: postdocs are often underpaid. You get paid more than you were as a graduate student but often not enough to do all the things you want to do.
in your future: postdocs have a short-term expiration date. You're there knowing that you might not be in a couple of years. The uncertainties can be stressful, especially if you have a partner and/or young children to consider.
How to choose?
So far, I have seen three types of postdoc
Postdocs funded by a grant for a specific research project
This postdoc is attached to a principal investigator (PI or faculty member who received the grant) and you have to dedicate a substantial amount of time to that research project that the grant funds. If the research project aligns well with you own research agenda (and you get publications out of it) and your PI is someone you admire and is well-regarded in your field, great! The postdoc can help you reinforce your position as an emerging expert in the field and develop your network. If not, it can make it difficult for you to prioritize your own research. Some PIs may prioritize advancing their research project over mentoring you as a scholar. So, it is important to be clear of their expectations and your own.
Postdocs funded by a training grant or an internal initiative from the college/department
An NIH T32 from a pop center is a great example. I think the sociology department at Rice runs a long-standing postdoctoral program that also fits the bill. The intent behind this kind of postdoc is to train early career scholars. So from the start, the main focus is on your professional growth. You generally have more freedom to choose who you would like to work with, and they expect you to dedicate all of your time to developing your own research.
Postdocs from a competitive fellowship/grant
A UC Presidential Postdoc, NSF Postdoc, or NIH K99 Postdoc are all examples of this last (and rare) type of postdoctoral opportunity. They are highly competitive but also highly desirable. They will look extra great on your CV. In addition to the freedom to choose your mentor and your research, they also tend to provide more generous salary and research funding (for travels, workshops, equipment, etc.).
My general advice is that the third is better than the second is better than the first in terms of freedom and support. At the same time, the number of opportunities for each type is also inversely related.
Things to generally avoid:
Teaching: avoid postdocs that require teaching. It can suck up a lot of your time. Some positions posted as postdocs have such high teaching demands that they are essentially lectureships.
One-year postdoc: avoid one-year postdocs with no opportunity to renew. Often time, postdocs are posted as a contract that extends for "for one year from the start date, with the possibility of renewal for an additional year." These are multi-year postdocs, worded this way so that they have to option to let you go if your performance is really subpar. Still, it is always good to clarify if there is funding for the position to continue beyond the first year. One-year postdoc is more stress than it is worth: you typically graduate and finish your dissertation in the summer, move and start your position in the fall, and then you have to be on the job market immediately again in order to find your next position. Generally not worth it.
Potential Materials Needed for Postdoc Applications:
Cover letter
Research statement and/or research proposal (i.e., what project you propose to do during your postdoc appointment)
CV
Zoom interview and/or presentation of research
I was asked to do a data analysis task within a given time limit once for a postdoc interview, but I think that is very rare. Generally, the application process for a postdoc is like an academic faculty position, but less intense.
Good luck with writing!