FAQs

• Do I need to be located in the Gulf region to apply?

  Do I need to be located in the Gulf region to apply?

  Early-Career Research Fellows can be based at any institution, as long as their work is relevant to the charge of the Gulf Research Program to focus on “human health and environmental protection including issues relating to offshore oil drilling and hydrocarbon production and transportation in the Gulf and on the United States’ outer continental shelf.”

• I already applied for a GRP Early-Career Research Fellowship. Can I reapply?

  I already applied for a GRP Early-Career Research Fellowship. Can I reapply?

  The Gulf Research Program does not have any restriction on the number of applications submitted by an applicant, given that you meet the eligibility criteria. Please note that resubmitted applications must contain significant revisions. Applications that are resubmitted without significant revisions will not move forward to the review stage. While there is no restriction on the number of applications per track per application cycle, we highly encourage applicants to pick the track most relevant to your research so that you can put your best efforts towards that application submission.
  
  If you previously applied for an Early-Career Research Fellowship and were selected as a fellow, you are not eligible to re-apply. This includes applicants who were accepted into the fellowship program but did not go on to complete that fellowship.

• How do I submit my application materials, including the mentor statement? (Recommendation letters are no longer required)

  How do I submit my application materials, including the mentor statement? (Recommendation letters are no longer required)

  All application materials must be submitted through our online application system. If you are having difficulties submitting your materials through our online application system, contact us at gulffellowships@nas.edu.
  
  For the mentor statement, once you have created an account and started your application, you can enter contact information for your mentor and the system will automatically email them with instructions for logging in and completing their statement. Your application is not complete until the mentor statement has been uploaded.
  
  The fellowship team is committed to enhancing the inclusivity of the application process and proactively addressing potential barriers faced by applicants. Beginning with the 2024 application cycle, recommendation letters will no longer be required, streamlining the application experience for all.

• Can I receive feedback on my application?

  Can I receive feedback on my application?

  The Gulf Research Program does not provide feedback during the application process. We encourage you to carefully read through the eligibility requirements and review criteria, and to familiarize yourself with the track goal and charge of the Gulf Research Program to focus on “human health and environmental protection including issues relating to offshore oil drilling and hydrocarbon production and transportation in the Gulf and on the United States’ outer continental shelf.” You might also consider asking a trusted colleague or mentor to review your materials for clarity, conciseness, and relevance before submitting.
  
  After final funding decisions have been made and fellows have been selected, applicants may request to see the comments our review committee had on their applications. The Gulf Research Program only provides feedback from the peer review stage.

• How can I make my application stand out?

  How can I make my application stand out?

  The best way to make your application stand out is not with flashy gimmicks, but by submitting a high-quality application that shows you put time and effort into developing it.
  
  Tips for producing a high-quality application include:

  • Research the opportunity you are applying for to make sure you understand what it is and what it is not.

  • Familiarize yourself with the review criteria; this is what reviewers will use to rate the quality of your application.

  • Take time to develop your application. If you rush through it at the last minute, it shows in your writing and might unintentionally signal to reviewers that you did not take the application seriously.

  • Tailor your resume, personal essays, and any other application materials to the opportunity. Reviewers notice when you use application materials from another opportunity and simply replace some keywords.

  • Ask a colleague, mentor, or friend to review your materials for typos, readability, style, and responsiveness to the questions asked. A savvy editor can help you sort out what information should and should not be included and spot errors you might not find on your own.

  • If you are reapplying to an opportunity and received feedback on your past application, look it over—or have a colleague look it over—to ensure you are responsive to the reviewer comments.

  • Think strategically about your letters of recommendation. Try to select references who know you well and can provide our reviewers with insights about your experience, skills, and ability beyond what's included in your resume or CV.

• How many individuals apply each year, and how many are selected?

  How many individuals apply each year, and how many are selected?

  We award up to seven Early-Career Research Fellowships per track, but the number of applicants varies. Instead of focusing on the “odds,” we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the application requirements and review criteria.

• Can I check the status of my application?

  Can I check the status of my application?

  No. However, you can find key dates pertaining to the application, review, and selection process on our opportunity page.

• When will I be notified of a decision?

  When will I be notified of a decision?

  Human Health and Community Resilience Track and Offshore Energy Safety Track applicants will be notified of final funding decisions via email in May 2025.
  
  Environmental Protection and Stewardship Track and Education Research Track applicants will be notified of final funding decisions via email in August/September 2025.