Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but the letter may be given less weight by the panelists, because the author has a direct interest in your receiving the fellowship.

No, but do make sure your three referees send in their letters on time!

No, the letters are matched by the applicant’s full name, not by their email address.

The panel evaluates the entire package (applicant, project, advisor, host institution). They want to ensure that the fellows have as much support as they need from their advisors and host institutions to complete their projects. The primary evaluation is made assuming the first-choice institution; however, the panel is aware that any applicant may, in the end, go to another institution.

The selected candidates have a ranked order. We will start assigning host institutions with the person first on the list and go down. If at some point an awardee has listed as their first choice an institution which is already full for the year, that awardee will be given their second choice. If that institution is also full (unlikely but possible), they will be given their third choice. Then we will go on to the next person in the list.

Whether you are an employee or stipendiary fellow will affect your tax status, your leave and benefits and if you are a non-US citizen may also affect what visas you can use. For more information on this subject, please see Visa and Benefits Information.

Yes, NASA centers can host fellows. However, NASA centers as well as national laboratories and other institutions funded primarily by the US government may not be able to host fellows of all nationalities. Non-US citizens considering one of these as a host institution should contact the institution to make sure that they can indeed be hosted there.

Yes.  However, if that institution is still not available by the time the award offer is sent, another institution would have to be chosen.   If you have not already done so, please contact the institution to tell them of your interest and their need to contact the NHFP, as described on the Host Institution page.

Yes, NOIRLab can be a host institution; however, be sure to specify which NOIRLab location.

Yes. However, in this case, as in all cases, make sure that it is clear you will be able to accomplish your proposed research at the proposed host institution.

Yes. You need to be at your host institution for at least the majority of your time. If you feel this may be an issue, please contact nhfp@stsci.edu for more information.

Yes. The same faculty member may sponsor two or more applicants, however everyone involved must understand that only two fellows per institution can be awarded each year, with no more than five in any three year period. As we start the counting with the 2018 fellows, from 2020 onward some institutions may be in the situation where in a given year they can only take one fellow.

No. Faculty from Physics and Astronomy are awarded tenure by the same organization, so the two departments are not considered separate institutions.

Yes, if they administer hiring and tenure separately.  Examples include CalTech and JPL, SAO and Harvard, Princeton and the IAS, STScI and Hopkins, UCBerkeley and LBNL, Stanford and SLAC.

The most important part of the research proposal is the science, but if you can argue that going to a particular institution would benefit your proposed research, then putting that in can indeed strengthen the proposal.

No, reprints should not be included in your application but should be listed in your CV or list of major publications. Please see the elements of a complete application.

No, the abstract is entered on a web form at the time of submission. It is compiled along with the other information on the application submission page into a cover sheet that will accompany your application when it is sent out for review. There is no need to reproduce your abstract within your main research proposal. After your submission is complete, you will receive a confirmation email that will include a copy of the cover sheet.

You may make changes to your application after it has been submitted before the application deadline, but you must resubmit the entire application through the electronic submission site. Note that no changes will be accepted after the application deadline.

Please note that you can save your cover sheet information, and re-upload it in case you wish to resubmit your application.

Yes, they should be no larger than 20 MB.

We expect the first round of offers will be made in late January/early February.

Initial compensation for the 2024 NHFP Fellows was $82,500 and is subject to annual review and adjustment. The fellows also receive funds to pay for health insurance (up to a maximum of $20,000 for a family plan), up to $8,500 for relocation costs, and up to $20,000 in the first year and $16,000 in the second and third years for research-related travel, hardware, computing services, publications, and other direct costs.

If you have accepted another position while your NHFP application is being reviewed, please notify nhfp@stsci.edu as soon as the acceptance is official. If you have simply received another offer, you do not need to notify us, unless you have also been offered an NHFP and want to discuss your options.

See the advice for applicants.

The official eligibility date is the date that you were officially awarded your PhD according to the granting institution.  In this case that would be March.

Yes. NHFP Fellowships are open to English-speaking citizens of all nations. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, or national origin.

Yes. Anyone who meets the general application requirements is eligible.

A certificate or a brief letter stating that you have completed all of the requirements for your Ph.D. degree is all that is required to start the Fellowship. Participation in a graduation or convocation ceremony is not a requirement.