| Timeline | Task | ✔ |
| Summer | Review program announcement | |
| Determine eligibility | ||
| Develop an outline for proposed research | ||
| Early September | Meet mentor or adviser to discuss proposed research and review the outline | |
| Obtain electronic transcripts from every university or college | ||
| Contact the reference writers to check if they'll be willing to write the letters | ||
| Send the request emails to reference writers through the GRFP application portal | ||
| Create the draft for proposed plan of research | ||
| Late September | Create an outline for personal statement | |
| Get feedback for research statement from mentor or adviser | ||
| Create the draft for personal statement | ||
| Get feedback for personal statement from peers | ||
| Complete the personal information section in the GRFP application portal | ||
| Early October | Revise research and personal statement based on the feedback received | |
| Get the statements reviewed from a reader having exceptional communcation skills | ||
| Prepare and send recommendation request letters to the finalized reference writers | ||
| Verify that official transcripts have been uploaded or sent | ||
| Mid / Late October | Meet mentor or adviser to review all the components of the GRFP application | |
| Finalize all the statements | ||
| Upload all the documents in the GRFP application portal | ||
| Print and review the completed application before submission | ||
| Submit the application | ||
| Deadline | Make sure NSF receieves the recommendation letters by the deadline | |
| Wait patiently and enjoy the fruit of your efforts upon selection! |
Note: Now that you have gone through the preparation and submission of the GRFP application, if relevant, it may be worthwhile to consider applying for other fellowship opportunities as well.