THREAD on @NSF Postdocs

The new NSF Postdoc Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB) solicitation was recently released:

https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf20602

1/x

This announcement was met with much excitement (totally warranted, IMO), but also some frustration (also warranted). I wanted to take a moment to address some of the causes of frustration and give some general thoughts on NSF postdoc opportunities. 2/x

First, important disclosure: Yes, I was a rotator in DEB, but these thoughts are mine and mine alone. I do not have any inside knowledge or secret source within DEB, DBI (who handles the PRFB) or BIO. 3/x

OK, frustration 1: The Interdisciplinary Research Using Biological Collections (eg the museum postdoc) Competitive Area is not part of the new solicitation. This is frustrating, BUT you can totally submit an application to any of the other competitive areas w/ museum work! 4/x

This is even the 2nd line of the new solicitation: “However, research using biological collections can be proposed under any other competitive area as appropriate.” 5/x

In my experience, POs in BIO, and especially in DBI, are keenly aware of the value of museum collections and NSF in general absolutely LOVES integrative grant proposals. 6/x

In my opinion, no one would read a well-crafted PRFB proposal submitted to, let's say, Competitive Area 2 (RoL) that included museum-based work and say, “This is a great proposal, but I wish it didn’t have all that museum work.” 7/x

The point is, if you want to proposed museum-focused work in your PRFB application, do it. You're smart, I'm sure you could write an excellent proposal for any Competitive Area that included museum work if you wanted. 8/x

Frustration 2: “I’ve been a postdoc for 12 months or longer, so I’m not eligible.” Yup, this is annoying (I can say that now that I’m a former rotator). 9/x

BUT, with no deadlines and no caps on the number of proposals you can submit, there’s nothing stopping anyone from writing a ‘regular’ grant proposal with a potential postdoc advisor that includes funding for a postdoc (ie, YOU). 10/x

You need a Sponsoring Scientist (e.g., postdoc advisor) for the PRFB, if you’re ineligible for the PRFB, think about working with a potential Sponsoring Scientist to write and submit a ‘regular’ NSF grant. IMO, there are a number of plusses to this approach. 11/x

Plusses: 1) No worries if you’re ineligible for a PRFB because you’ve been a postdoc for 12+ months. 2) No deadlines! 3) No caps! You can only submit one PRFB application, but you can submit as many ‘regular’ proposals as you can write. 12/x

Plusses cont. 4) Length of postdoc - the PRFB is for 2 years (or 3 with a year or more of international work) in Areas 1 and 2; 3 years for area 3. In a ‘regular’ grant, you can budget 3, 4, or even 5 years of salary for yourself! 13/x

Plusses cont. 5) Budget - the total direct budget of the PRFB is $69,000/yr. That’s $54k in salary and $15K for everything else (travel, research, fringe benefits, publication costs, etc.). That salary would be great in Laramie! 14/x

But perhaps not so much in Manhattan (NY, it’d probably be pretty good in Manhattan, KS). With a ‘regular’ grant, you could justify a higher salary based on cost of living. 15/x

Budget, cont. - Also, $15k/yr isn’t a lot for research expenses, fringe benefits, travel to meetings, publishing, maybe you want to train and mentor some undergraduates (Please pay them!). Again, a ‘regular’ grant allows way more flexibility in budgeting. 16/x

Plusses cont. - 6) Flexibility - a PRFB will end in 2 years (ok, maybe 3), a ‘regular’ grant can easily be 3, 4, or 5 years. Are you awesome? (Of course you are!!) You might get a job after 2 or 3 or 4 years. 17/x

In some situations, with some advisors, you may be able to take some of your ‘regular’ grant with you to your sweet new job. Please talk with potential postdoc advisors about this!!!! Do not assume you will be able to do this. 18/x

So, what are the minuses? Honestly, the ‘regular’ grant option has a longer project description (15 vs. 6 pgs for the PRFB) and maybe some additional other required documentation. That’s about it. 19/x

OK, maybe the success rate is lower for ‘regular’ grants, but since no one seems to be submitting proposals, the success rate for ‘regular’ grants is likely pretty high right now. 20/x

Frustration 3: “I am not a US citizen or permanent resident, so I’m ineligible.” It’s because NSF is funded by US taxpayers. I know non US citizens or permanent residents pay taxes, don’t @ me! That’s the way it is. It’s lame (again I can say that as a former rotator). 21/x

OK, summary - the PRFB is a terrific program, if you are eligible, apply! However, don’t ignore that ‘regular’ NSF proposals offer a LOT more flexibility. Coming soon - a thread on why everyone should apply to the Rules of Life track. 22/x

Questions, comments, concerns? Let me know! - END