Background: NSF Graduate Fellowships offer recognition and three years of support for advanced study to approximately 900 outstanding graduate students in the mathematical, physical, biological, engineering, and behavioral and social sciences, including the history of science and the philosophy of science, and to research-based PhD degrees in science education. Approximately 90 awards will be in the Women in Engineering (WENG) and Women in Computer and Information Science (WICS) components. 

The Fellowships: Awards carry a stipend for each fellow of $21,500 for a 12-month tenure (prorated monthly at $1,791 for lesser periods) and an annual cost-of-education allowance of $10,500, paid to the Fellow's institution in lieu of tuition and fees. 

The Application: The application consists of an information form, a concise statement of educational objectives as they relate to long-range professional goals, the name of the university the candidate wishes to attend, research experience, a two-page plan of study or research, a transcript, and GRE scores.

Who Should Apply: Applicants must be United States citizens or nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States. Those eligible to apply are college seniors, first-year graduate students, and others who have completed a limited amount of graduate study in science, mathematics, or engineering. Students with high grades and excellent GRE scores who plan to earn a Ph.D in the sciences, mathematics or engineering. GREs must be taken before December; high scores in the analytical and quantitative sections of the general test and on the subject test in the major are essential for success.

Campus Procedure: Interested students should talk with their faculty advisors for information on the application process.

Recommendations: Four, all from faculty in the major.

The NSF Process: Applications due by first of November but earlier applications are preferred. Awards announced the following March.

For More Information: Contact faculty advisor for more information. Also, write: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, P.O. Box 3010, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-3010; (866) 353-0905; Email nsfgrfp@orau.gov or fax 423/241-4513. Visit the website: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=6201.

Recent Davidson National Science Foundation Scholars: Kelli Carroll, '09 (awarded in 2011), Natasha Meyer, '10 (awarded in 2011), Evan Eskew, '11 (awarded in 2011), Kristen Cecala, 07 (awarded in ???), Leigh Anne Harden, 07 (awarded in ???), Shannon Pittman, 08 (awarded in ???) 2005 Rachel Jakab,  Bryant Kirkland; 2004 Rachel Patton McCord, Susan G. Robinson; 2003 Kristine Grayson; 2002 David Willson; 2000 Elena Franklin; 1999 Will Bradshaw; 1996 Janet Steven; 1989 Suzanne Beckham B. Gordon Watkins