SED Nonresponse Contact Materials

ATTACHMENT 8: SED Nonrespondent Contact Materials
2026 and 2027 SED Communications
Type

To

From

Content

Expected Date

Email

Nonrespondents

NSF Project
Officer

8/2025-ongoing

Email

Nonrespondents

NSF Project
Officer

Email

Nonrespondents

NSF Project
Officer

Email

Nonrespondents

NSF Project
Officer

Email

Nonrespondents

Email

Nonrespondents

Email

Nonrespondents

Email

Nonrespondents

Email

Nonrespondents

Email

Nonrespondents

Email

Nonrespondents

Email

Nonrespondents

Email

Nonrespondents

Email

Nonrespondents

Email

Nonrespondents

Email

Nonrespondents

Email

Nonrespondents

Email

Nonrespondents

Email

Nonrespondents

Email

Nonrespondents

NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer

Email #1A – 1st nonrespondent
email prompt *have not
registered for survey
Email #1B – 1st nonrespondent
email prompt *have registered,
but not completed
Email #2A – 2nd
nonrespondent email prompt
*have not registered for survey
Email #2B – 2nd
nonrespondent email prompt
*have registered, but have
broken off
Email #3 – 3rd nonrespondent
email prompt
Email #4 – 4th nonrespondent
email prompt
Email #5 – 5th nonrespondent
email prompt
Email #6 – 6th nonrespondent
email prompt
Email #7 – 7th nonrespondent
email prompt
Email #8 – 8th nonrespondent
email prompt
Email #9 – 9th nonrespondent
email prompt
Email #10 – 10th
nonrespondent email prompt
Email #11 – 11th
nonrespondent email prompt
Email #12 – 12th
nonrespondent email prompt
Email #13 – 13th
nonrespondent email prompt
Email #14 – 14th
nonrespondent email prompt
Email #15 – 15th
nonrespondent email prompt
Email #16 – 16th
nonrespondent email prompt
Email #17 – 17th
nonrespondent email prompt
Email #18 – 18th
nonrespondent email prompt

Timing

8/2025-ongoing

8/2025-ongoing

Sent two weeks after Email
#1A

8/2025-ongoing

Sent two weeks after Email
#1B

9/2025-ongoing

Sent two weeks after Email
#2
Sent two weeks after Email
#3
Sent two weeks after Email
#4
Sent four weeks after
Email #5
Sent four weeks after
Email #6
Sent four weeks after
Email #7
Sent four weeks after
Email #8
Sent four weeks after
Email #9
Sent four weeks after
Email #10
Sent four weeks after
Email #11
Sent four weeks after
Email #12
Sent eight weeks after
Email #13
Sent four weeks after
Email #14
Sent four weeks after
Email #15
Sent four weeks after
Email #16
Sent four weeks after
Email #17

9/2025-ongoing
10/2025-ongoing
11/2025-ongoing
12/2025-ongoing
1/2026-ongoing
2/2026-ongoing
3/2026-ongoing
4/2026-ongoing
5/2026-ongoing
6/2026-ongoing
7/2026-ongoing
8/2026-ongoing
9/2026-ongoing
10/2026-onoing
11/2026-ongoing

Email

Nonrespondents

Email

Nonrespondents

Letter

Nonrespondents

Post
Card
Letter

Nonrespondents

Text
Text
Email

Nonrespondents
Nonrespondents
Advisors of
Nonrespondents

NSF Project
Officer

Email

Advisors of
Nonrespondents

NSF Project
Officer

Email

Nonrespondents

Email

Nonrespondents

SED Project
Staff
ROC Staff

Email

Nonrespondents

ROC Staff

Email

Nonrespondents

ROC Staff

Nonrespondents

NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer
NSF Project
Officer

Email #19 – 19th
nonrespondent email prompt
Email #20 – Final
nonrespondent email prompt
Mail #1 – 1st Nonresponse
Mailing
Mail #2 – Pressure Sealed
Postcard Reminder
Mail #3 – 2nd Nonresponse
Mailing
Text Messages #1 - #5
Final Text Message
Requesting student contact
information from faculty
advisors of nonrespondents
Reminder email requesting
student contact information
from faculty advisors of
nonrespondents
SED Web Login Info Email
sent during/after CATI call
Follow-up email sent after
CATI voicemail
Email sent to NR who received
10 calls without contact “no
contact email”
Email to respondents we have
spoken with but no interview
was conducted

12/2026
12/2026

Sent three weeks after
Email #18
Sent 1 wee after Email #19

6/2026-ongoing
6/2026-ongoing
7/2026-ongoing
4/2026-12/2026
12/2026
8/2026-ongoing

8/2026-ongoing

7/2026-ongoing
7/2026-ongoing
10/2026-ongoing

10/2026-ongoing

Sent two weeks after the 1st
letter
Sent two weeks after the
postcard reminder
Sent two weeks apart

Sent two weeks after the
initial request

EMAIL #1A—1ST PROMPT TO NONRESPONDENTS WHO HAVE NOT REGISTERED (Stage 351)
Subject: Survey Invitation from the National Science Foundation
Dear Dr. ,
Congratulations on earning your doctoral degree! As a recent graduate of , you are invited to participate in the
Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), a census of all new U.S. research doctorate recipients that has been conducted every year since
1958. The SED is sponsored by the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies.
Your response contributes to valuable data that are used to analyze the characteristics of doctorate cohorts, assess investments in
graduate student support, and make improvements to the doctorate education system.
To complete the SED, click the button below. For security, you will be asked to create a new password prior to starting the survey.

Alternately, you can go login to https://sed-ncses.org and use the credentials provided below:
PIN:
Password:

351

Your responses will be kept strictly confidential and only aggregate data are publicly reported. If you have any questions, please visit
the SED information website at https://sedsurvey.org/ or contact the SED help desk at [email protected] or (877) 256-8167.
Your participation would be greatly appreciated. Congratulations again on your achievement!
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

For information on the SED, please visit https://nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/.
2026 SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.

EMAIL #1B—1ST PROMPT TO NONRESPONDENTS WHO HAVE REGISTERED BUT NOT COMPLETED (Stage 352)
Subject: A reminder from the National Science Foundation
Dear Dr. ,
Congratulations on earning your doctoral degree! I am sending you a friendly reminder to please complete the Survey of Earned
Doctorates (SED). As a recent doctoral graduate of , your participation in this year’s SED is very important.
Your response contributes to valuable data that are used to analyze the characteristics of doctorate cohorts, assess investments in
graduate student support, and make improvements to the doctorate education system.
To access the survey, please go to https://sed-ncses.org and use your credentials below:
PIN:
Password:

352
********

If you do not remember the password that you set when you registered for the SED, click the “Reset My Password” link on
the login page or contact our Help Desk at [email protected].
The survey asks about your educational history and post-graduation plans, and should only take about 20 minutes to complete. Your
responses will be kept strictly confidential and only aggregate data are publicly reported.
If you have any questions, please visit the SED information website at https://sedsurvey.org/ or contact the SED help desk at
[email protected] or (877) 256-8167.
Thank you in advance for your participation, and we look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

For information on the SED, please visit https://nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/.
2026 SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.

EMAIL #2A—2nd PROMPT TO NONRESPONDENTS WHO STILL HAVE NOT REGISTERED (Stage 353)
Subject: Survey of Earned Doctorates
Dear Dr. ,
We recently reached out to you with information for completing the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED). As a recent doctoral
graduate of , your participation in this year’s SED is essential. By completing the survey, you provide valuable
information that is used by policymakers and universities to analyze changes in the characteristics of doctorate recipients, assess
investments in graduate student support, and make improvements to the U.S. doctoral education system.
To complete the SED, click the button below. For security, you will be asked to create a new password prior to starting the survey.

Alternately, you can go login to the survey website with your PIN and temporary password below.
https://sed-ncses.org
PIN:
Password:

353

The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete. Your responses will be kept strictly confidential, and only aggregate data will be
publicly reported. More information about the SED and how your information is protected can be found at https://sedsurvey.org/
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or (877) 256-8167.
Thank you for your participation, and congratulations on your achievement!
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

To learn more about the SED and how the results have been used, please visit https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/.
2026 SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization.

EMAIL#2B—2nd PROMPT TO NONRESPONDENTS WHO HAVE REGISTERED, BREAKOFF CASES (Stage 354)
Subject: Please complete your Survey of Earned Doctorates
Dear Dr. ,
Our records show that you have started the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) but haven’t yet completed it. Your timely participation
helps to ensure that the data are accurate and useful to policymakers and universities across the country.
You can pick up where you left off at https://sed-ncses.org using your credentials below:
PIN:
Password:

354
********

If you do not remember the password you set when you last accessed the SED, click the “Reset My Password” link on the login page
or contact our Help Desk at [email protected].
If you have any questions or need assistance completing the survey, please contact us at [email protected] or (877) 256-8167.
Thank you for your participation, and congratulations on your achievement!
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

For information on the SED, please visit https://nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/
2026 SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.

EMAIL #3—3rd PROMPT TO NONRESPONDENTS (Stage 355)
Subject: Participation in the Survey of Earned Doctorates
Dear Dr. ,
This is a friendly reminder that we are still waiting for your response to the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), an annual census of
research doctorate recipients from U.S. universities sponsored by the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies.
It is very important that the survey data are representative of all research doctorate earners from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
Any information you provide will be kept strictly confidential. Only data aggregated to levels that do not allow for the identification of
individual respondents are released for publication. The SED results are published in an annual report; the reports from earlier surveys
are available at: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/sed/
To complete the SED, click the button below. For security, you will be asked to create a new password prior to starting the survey.

You can also login to the survey website with your PIN and temporary password below.
https://sed-ncses.org
PIN:
Password:

355

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or (877) 256-8167.
Thank you in advance for your time and assistance.
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

For information on the SED, please visit https://nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/
2026 SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.

EMAIL #4—4th PROMPT TO NONRESPONDENTS (Stage 356)
Subject: National Science Foundation – Survey of Earned Doctorates
Dear Dr. ,
A few weeks ago, we sent you a reminder to respond to participate in the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), an annual census of
research doctorate recipients from U.S. universities sponsored by the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies.
Please consider completing the SED – we would like to include your answers with those of approximately 55,000 other research
doctorate earners from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
The SED is used to make important policy decisions about graduate education, and it is important that the survey data are representative
of all research doctorates in the United States. All information you provide will be kept strictly confidential and only aggregated data
are used in the publications. The SED results are available in an annual report, as well as in the two reports mandated by Congress Science and Engineering Indicators, and Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering.
To start the survey, click the button below. To protect your responses, you will be asked to create a new password prior to starting the
survey.

Alternately, you can go login to the survey website with your PIN and temporary password below.
https://sed-ncses.org
PIN:
Password:

356

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or (877) 256-8167.
Congratulations again, on completing your doctorate!
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

For information on the SED, please visit https://nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/
2026 SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.

EMAIL #5—5th PROMPT TO NONRESPONDENTS (Stage 357)
Subject: Survey of Earned Doctorates – we need your help
Dear Dr. ,
You are one of only approximately 55,000 research doctorates who earned their degree from July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.
Considering this accomplishment, we ask for your help in completing the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), an annual census of
research doctorate recipients from U.S. universities sponsored by the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies.
By completing the survey, you provide valuable information used by policymakers and universities to analyze changes in the
characteristics of doctorate recipients, assess investments in graduate student support, and make improvements to the U.S. doctoral
education system.
To complete the SED, click the button below. For security, you will be asked to create a new password prior to starting the survey.

You can also login to the survey website with your PIN and temporary password below.
https://sed-ncses.org
PIN:
Password:

357

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or (877) 256-8167.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

For information on the SED, please visit https://nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/
2026 SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.

EMAIL #6—6th PROMPT TO NONRESPONDENTS
Subject: Please remember to complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates
Dear Dr. ,
This is just a friendly reminder to complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), sponsored by the National Science
Foundation (NSF) and three other federal agencies, at your earliest convenience.
Data collected from the SED helps policymakers and universities analyze changes in the characteristics of doctorate
recipients, assess investments in graduate student support, and make improvements to the U.S. doctoral education system.
You can find out more about what we've learned from previous rounds of the SED at https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf23300 .
The online survey only takes about 20 minutes, and can be completed at https://sed-ncses.org using your
credential below:
PIN:

Password:
You may also call (877) 256-8167 to complete a brief version of the survey over the telephone, if you prefer. We can also
send a paper version of the survey to you to complete and mail back to us.
Your responses will be kept strictly confidential and only aggregate data are publicly reported. If you have any questions,
please visit the SED information website at https://sedsurvey.org/ or contact the SED help desk at [email protected].
We look forward to learning about your experiences since earning your doctorate. Congratulations again on your
achievement!
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation
For information on the SED, please visit https://nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/
SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF

EMAIL #7—7th PROMPT TO NONRESPONDENTS
Subject: Please complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates
Dear Dr. ,
We are still conducting the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and
three other federal agencies but time is running out and we need your help. As a recent doctoral graduate of
, your participation in the SED is very important. The SED asks about your educational history and
post-graduation plans.
I hope you will take advantage of this unique opportunity to contribute to research that provides valuable data that are
used by policymakers and universities. Your responses will be kept strictly confidential and only aggregate data are
publicly reported.
The online survey only takes about 20 minutes, and can be completed at https://sed-ncses.org using your
credential below:
PIN:

Password:
If you would prefer to complete a brief version of the survey over the phone, please call 877-256-8167 and
reference your Study ID [PIN]. We can also send a paper version of the survey to you to complete and mail back to us.
If you have any questions, please visit the SED information website at https://sedsurvey.org/ or contact the SED help desk
at [email protected]. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation
For information on the SED, please visit https://nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/
SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF

PROPOSED EMAIL #8— ALL NONRESPONDENTS
Subject: Survey Invitation from the National Science Foundation
Dear Dr. ,
I am writing again to request your participation in the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), a census of all individuals who
earn a research doctorate in the United States. The information you provide will inform and support the next generations
of doctoral students at your university and across the nation.
To complete the SED, click the button below or login to https://sed-ncses.org with the PIN and temporary password
provided below. For security, you will be asked to create a new password prior to starting the survey.

PIN:
Password:

373

The average time to complete the survey is estimated to be 20 minutes. Your responses will be kept confidential.
You can find more information about the SED a at www.sedsurvey.org or https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates.
If you have any questions, please contact the SED help desk at [email protected] or (877) 256-8167.
We look forward to your participation.
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.

PROPOSED EMAIL #9— ALL NONRESPONDENTS
Subject: Request for Participation in the Survey of Earned Doctorates
Dear Dr. ,
This is another friendly reminder for the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) because your responses are critical to
understanding the doctoral experience and post-graduation employment plans. Governmental organizations and academic
institutions use the results of this survey for decisions about funding graduate education and evaluation of current and new
programs.
To complete the SED, please click the button below or login to https://sed-ncses.org with the PIN and temporary
password provided below. For security, you will be asked to create a new password prior to starting the survey.

PIN:
Password:

374

The information you provide is kept strictly confidential and only the summary level data are used in the published
reports. The time needed to complete the survey varies according to individual circumstances, but on average it is
estimated to be 20 minutes.
You can find more information about the SED a at www.sedsurvey.org or https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates.
If you have any questions, please contact the SED help desk at [email protected] or (877) 256-8167.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.

PROPOSED EMAIL #10— ALL NONRESPONDENTS
Subject: Survey of Earned Doctorates
Dear Dr. ,
As a graduate of , you are invited to participate in the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), a census of
all new U.S. research doctorate recipients that has been conducted every year since 1958. The SED is an important survey
sponsored by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Department of Education, and the National
Endowment of Humanities.
Your response contributes to valuable data that are used to analyze the characteristics of doctorate cohorts, assess
investments in graduate student support, and make improvements to the doctorate education system.
To complete the SED, click the button below or login to https://sed-ncses.org with the PIN and temporary password
provided below. For security, you will be asked to create a new password prior to starting the survey.

PIN:
xxx
Password:
Your responses will be kept strictly confidential and only aggregate data are publicly reported. If you have any questions,
please visit the SED information website at https://sedsurvey.org or contact the SED help desk at [email protected] or (877)
256-8167.
Your participation would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

To learn more about the SED and how the results have been used, please visit https://nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates.

PROPOSED EMAIL #11— ALL NONRESPONDENTS
Subject: Invitation to Participate in the Survey of Earned Doctorates
Dear Dr. ,
This is a friendly reminder that we need your response to the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED). It is very important that
the SED data are representative of all research doctorate earners from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
Information you provide will be kept strictly confidential. Only data aggregated to levels that do not allow for the
identification of individual respondents are released for publication. The SED results from earlier surveys are available at :
http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/sed.
To complete the SED, click the button below or login to https://sed-ncses.org with the PIN and temporary password
provided below. For security, you will be asked to create a new password prior to starting the survey.

PIN:
355
Password:
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or (877) 256-8167.
Thank you in advance for your time and assistance.
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.

PROPOSED EMAIL #12— ALL NONRESPONDENTS
Subject: National Science Foundation Request on the Survey of Earned Doctorates
Dear Dr. ,
We continue to follow up with you to please complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) so we can include your
answers with those of approximately 57,000 other research doctorate earners from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
The SED is used to make important policy decisions about graduate education, and it is important that the survey data are
representative of all research doctorates in the United States.
All information you provide will be kept strictly confidential and only aggregated data are used in the publications. The
SED results are available at https://nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates and in the two congressionally mandated reports Science and Engineering Indicators, and Diversity and STEM: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities.
To start the survey, click the button below or login to https://sed-ncses.org with your PIN and temporary password below.
To protect your responses, you will be asked to create a new password prior to starting the survey.

PIN:
356
Password:

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or (877) 256-8167.
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.

PROPOSED EMAIL #13— ALL NONRESPONDENTS
Subject: National Science Foundation – Survey of Earned Doctorates
Dear Dr. ,
We are conducting the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and
three other federal agencies and we need your help. As a recent doctoral graduate of , your
participation in the SED is very important.
I hope you will take advantage of this unique opportunity to contribute to research that provides valuable data that are
used by policymakers and universities. Your responses will be kept strictly confidential and only aggregated data are used
in the publications.
The online survey only takes about 20 minutes and can be completed by clicking the button below or login to https://sedncses.org with your PIN and temporary password below. For security, you will be asked to create a new password prior to
starting the survey.

PIN:
Password:

xxx

If you have any questions, please visit the SED information website at https://sedsurvey.org or contact the SED help desk
at [email protected]. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

To learn more about the SED and how the results have been used, please visit https://nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates.
SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.

PROPOSED EMAIL #14— ALL NONRESPONDENTS
Subject: Your Participation in the NSF Survey of Earned Doctorates
Dear Dr. ,
I am writing to encourage you once again to complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), a census of all individuals
who earn a research doctorate in the United States. The information you provide will inform and support the next
generations of doctoral students at your university and across the nation.
To complete the SED, click the button below or login to https://sed-ncses.org with your PIN and temporary password
below. For security, you will be asked to create a new password prior to starting the survey.

PIN:
Password:

XXX

Your responses will be kept confidential. The average time to complete the survey is estimated to be 20 minutes and I
hope you can take a moment to complete the survey today.
You can find more information about the SED a at www.sedsurvey.org or https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates.
If you have any questions, please contact the SED help desk at [email protected] or (877) 256-8167,
Thank you for your participation,
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.

PROPOSED EMAIL #15— ALL NONRESPONDENTS
Subject: Need Your Help on the Survey of Earned Doctorates
Dear Dr. ,
This is a friendly reminder to complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), sponsored by the National Science
Foundation (NSF) and three other federal agencies, at your earliest convenience.
Data from the SED enables policymakers and universities evaluate shifts in doctorate recipients’ characteristics, review
funding for graduate student support, and enhance the U.S. doctoral education system.
You can find out more about what we've learned from previous rounds of the SED at https://ncses.nsf.gov/surveys/earneddoctorates. Your responses will be kept strictly confidential and only aggregate data are publicly reported.
To complete the SED, click the button below or login to https://sed-ncses.org with PIN and temporary password provided
below. For security, you will be asked to create a new password prior to starting the survey.

PIN:
Password:

xxx

If you have any questions, please visit the SED information website at https://sedsurvey.org or contact the SED help desk
at [email protected].
We look forward to learning about your experiences since earning your doctorate.
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.

PROPOSED EMAIL #16— ALL NONRESPONDENTS
Subject: Reminder to Complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates
Dear Dr. ,
The Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) is an annual census of all research doctorate recipients in the United States and I
am sending you another reminder that your responses are critical to understanding the doctoral experience and postgraduation employment plans. Federal agencies and academic institutions use the results of this survey for decisions about
funding graduate education, developing new programs, and supporting existing ones.
To complete the SED, click the button below or login to https://sed-ncses.org with PIN and temporary password provided
below. For security, you will be asked to create a new password prior to starting the survey.

PIN:
Password:

xxx

The information you provide is kept confidential. The time needed to complete the survey varies according to individual
circumstances, but the average time is estimated to be 20 minutes.
You can find more information about the SED a at www.sedsurvey.org or https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates.
If you have any questions, please contact the SED help desk at [email protected] or (877) 256-8167.
Thank you for your participation,
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.

PROPOSED EMAIL #17— ALL NONRESPONDENTS
Subject: Survey of Earned Doctorates
Dear Dr. ,
As a graduate of , you have been invited to take part in the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED). This
survey has been conducted annually since 1958 and is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, along with other
federal agencies.
Your participation will provide crucial data to help analyze doctorate cohorts, assess investments in graduate student
support, and enhance the doctoral education system.
To complete the SED, click the button below or login to https://sed-ncses.org with PIN and temporary password provided
below. For security, you will be asked to create a new password prior to starting the survey.

PIN:
Password:

xxx

Your responses will be kept strictly confidential and only aggregated data are publicly reported. If you have any
questions, please visit the SED information website at https://sedsurvey.org or contact the SED help desk at [email protected].
We look forward to learning about your experiences since earning your doctorate.
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

To learn more about the SED and how the results have been used, please visit https://nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates.
SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.

PROPOSED EMAIL #18— ALL NONRESPONDENTS
Subject: Importance of Your Participation in the Survey of Earned Doctorates
Dear Dr. ,
The 2026 Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) will soon be ending, and we are reluctant to close this year's survey without
your response.
Your responses to the 2026 SED will be combined with that of approximately 58,000 other research doctorate recipients
from the academic year 2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026). Please rest assured that only aggregated data will be in
published reports.
The SED data is an important national resource, which are used to help inform government policy, evaluate graduate
education programs, and make doctorate labor force projections.
The online survey can be completed by clicking the button below. For security, you will be asked to create a new
password prior to starting the survey.

Alternately, you can go login to https://sed-ncses.org and use the credentials provided below:
PIN:
Password:

358

You can learn more about the SED and how the results are used, at https://sedsurvey.org If you have questions, or
concerns, please contact us at [email protected] or toll-free at (877) 256-8167.
We would greatly appreciate your participation in this important research effort.
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang, Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.

PROPOSED EMAIL #19— ALL NONRESPONDENTS
Subject: Reminder to Complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates
Dear Dr. ,
Happy Holidays from the National Science Foundation!
We will be closing the 2026 Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) data collection at the end of the year. I want to appeal to
you one more time to complete the survey. Your responses will also help future students, your institution, and the broader
academic community understand the costs and benefits of the doctoral experience. I hope that you will take a moment to
respond to the SED today. It takes about 20 minutes to complete the survey.
The online survey can be completed by clicking the button below. For security, you will be asked to create a new
password prior to starting the survey.

Alternately, you can go login to https://sed-ncses.org and use the credentials provided below:
PIN:
Password:

359

You can learn more about the SED and how the results are used, at https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/. If you
have questions, or concerns, please contact us at [email protected] or toll-free at (877) 256-8167.
Your participation in this important research effort is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang, Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Study sponsored by:

For information on the SED, please visit https://nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/.
SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.

PROPOSED EMAIL #20— ALL NONRESPONDENTS
Subject: Importance of Your Participation in the Survey of Earned Doctorates – FINAL REMINDER
Dear Dr. ,
The 2026 Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) is ending on December 31, 2026, and we really would like your responses
to be part of the SED data, which is the only national source that helps to inform government policy, evaluate graduate
education programs, and make doctorate labor force projections, among many of its uses.
The online survey can be completed by clicking the button below. For security, you will be asked to create a new
password prior to starting the survey.

Alternately, you can go login to https://sed-ncses.org and use the credentials provided below:
PIN:
Password:

360

You can learn more about the SED and how the results are used, at https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/. If you
have questions, or concerns, please contact [email protected] or toll-free at (877) 256-8167.
We would greatly appreciate your participation in this important research effort.
Sincerely,
Kelly H. Kang, Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

Sponsored by:

For information on the SED, please visit https://nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/.
SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF

NONRESPONSE MAILING #1 – 1st MAILING TO NONRESPONDENTS

Dear Dr. :
We would like to extend our congratulations on completing your doctorate! In light of this achievement, I invite you to
participate in the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), conducted by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other
federal agencies. SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization for
NSF.
Because the SED is used to make important policy decisions about graduate education, it is important that the survey data
are representative of all research doctorates in the United States. Your response will be combined with that of
approximately 55,000 other research doctorate earners from your academic year. These aggregated data are used to help
inform governmental policy, evaluate graduate programs, and make doctorate labor force projections.
We greatly value your doctoral education experiences and request you complete the SED online at:
URL: https://sed-ncses.org
PIN: 301
Password:

Your responses will be kept strictly confidential, and only aggregate data will be in published reports.
The SED results are available at: https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf24300/
You can view a paper version of the questionnaire at:
https://sedsurvey.org/Content/pdf/2025_Questionnaire.pdf
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at [email protected] or (877) 256-8167.
Congratulations again on this monumental accomplishment.
Sincerely,

Kelly H. Kang, Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, National Science Foundation

RESPONDENT BROCHURE

NONRESPONSE MAILING #2 –PRESSURE SEALED POSTCARD REMINDER TO NONRESPONDENTS

NONRESPONSE MAILING #3—2nd HARDCOPY LETTER MAILING TO NONRESPONDENTS

Dear Dr. :
A few weeks ago, we asked for your participation in the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), an annual census of research
doctorate recipients from U.S. universities sponsored by the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies.
We would greatly appreciate your participation as the efficacy and accuracy of this survey rely on a high response rate. Any
information you provide will be kept strictly confidential. Only data aggregated to levels that do not allow the identification
of individual respondents are released for publication.
You can complete the survey online by going to: https://sed-ncses.org/
Your PIN is:
Your Password is:

You can view a paper version of the questionnaire at:
https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/surveys/srvydoctorates-2022.pdf
If you have already completed the survey, we thank you for your response. The SED results will be published in an annual
report; the annual reports on earlier surveys are available at: http://nsf.gov/statistics/sed/.
This survey is conducted under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or (877) 256-8167.
Congratulations on completing your doctorate.
Sincerely,

Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation

SMS TEXT MESSAGE REMINDERS TO NONRESPONDENTS
Initial Text
Dr. *LastName*, congratulations on behalf of the NSF on your doctoral degree. We invite you to complete the Survey of
Earned Doctorates at https://link.rti.org/VJowfe7-91. The SED is a census of research doctorates from US universities and
your responses will be kept strictly confidential. Reply STOP to opt out.
Reminder Text #1
Dr. *LastName*, this is a reminder on behalf of NSF to please complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates
at https://link.rti.org/VJoife7-91. SED is an annual census of U.S. research doctorate recipients sponsored by NSF, NIH,
ED and NEH. Your participation is very important! If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]. Reply
STOP to opt out.
Reminder Text #2
Dr. *LastName*, this is a friendly reminder to please complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates at
https://link.rti.org/VJoife7-91. Information on the survey is available at https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/.
Reply STOP to opt out.
Reminder Text #3
Dr. *LastName*, your responses to the Survey of Earned Doctorates are important for NSF and NIH policy decisions on
graduate education. Please complete the SED at https://link.rti.org/VJoife7-91 For survey results, see
https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/. Reply STOP to opt out.
Reminder Text #4
Dr. *LastName*, This is a reminder on behalf of NSF to please complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates. Please go to
*URL* to complete the survey. Your response would be greatly appreciated. The SED results are published in an annual
report at: https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/. Reply STOP to opt out.
Reminder Text #5
Dr. *LastName*, This is a reminder to please complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates at https://link.rti.org/VJoife791. Completing the survey is a service to your institution, to your peers, and to future doctoral students. Information on
the survey is available at https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/. Reply STOP to opt out.
Final Text
Dr. *LastName*, we are sending the final text reminder for you to complete the SED https://link.rti.org/VJoife7-91 before
it ends soon. Your response would be greatly appreciated. For survey results, see
https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/doctorates/. For any questions, call us at 877 256 8167. Reply STOP to opt out.
OR
Dr. *LastName*, this is our final text asking you to please complete the survey by going to https://sed-ncses.org and
entering your SED PIN @custom4@ and password. If you don't remember your password that you set when you
registered for the SED, click the "Reset My Password" link on the login page or contact us at [email protected]. Your response
would be greatly appreciated. Information on the survey is available at https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/ .
Reply STOP to opt out.

EMAIL TO FACULTY ADVISORS OF NONRESPONDENTS
Subject: Request from the National Science Foundation
Dear Dr. :
I would like to ask for your assistance with the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), sponsored by the National Science
Foundation and other federal agencies. We need to find the contact information for one of your former students,
, so we can send an invitation to complete the SED.
As you may know, the SED is an annual census of all research doctorate recipients in the U.S., conducted since 1958.
The aggregated survey data are used to help inform government policy, in evaluation of graduate programs, and
projection of the doctorate workforce, among many important data uses. Information and data from the SED can be
found online at: https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/.
We will soon be closing the SED data collection for the AY2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) graduates and would
like to ensure Dr. ’s responses are included in this important
national census.
If you have any contact information for Dr. , please let us know at [email protected] or (877) 2568167.
We greatly appreciate your assistance with this important effort.
Sincerely,

Kelly H. Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation
SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF

REMINDER EMAIL TO FACULTY ADVISORS OF SED NONRESPONDENTS
Subject: Request from the National Science Foundation – Reminder
Dear Dr. :
I am following up on my earlier request for your assistance with the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), sponsored by
the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and other federal agencies.
We would like to contact one of your former doctoral students, , to
send an invitation to complete the 2026 SED.
As you may know, the SED is an annual census of all research doctorate recipients in the U.S., conducted since 1958. The
aggregated data from the SED are used to help inform government policy, in evaluation of graduate programs, and
projection of the doctorate workforce, among many important data uses. The released data from the 2020 SED can be found
at: https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf22300/.
If you have any contact information for Dr. , please let us know at [email protected] or (877) 2568167.
If you prefer, you can also forward this email to Dr. .
We greatly appreciate your assistance with this important effort.
Sincerely,

Kelly Kang
Project Officer
Survey of Earned Doctorates
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation
SED data are being collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, for NSF.
SED Survey Link: https://sed-ncses.org

SURVEY LOGIN INFORMATION EMAIL SENT TO NONRESPONDENTS UPON REQUEST DURING CATI
CALL
Subject: Your SED Survey Login Information
Dear Dr. ,
We greatly appreciate your participation in the Survey of Earned Doctorates.
Please complete the SED online at https://sed-ncses.org using your credentials below:
PIN:

Password:
Your responses will be kept strictly confidential and only aggregate data will be publicly reported.
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or (877) 256-8167.
Thank you for your participation, and congratulations on your achievement!
Sincerely,
The SED Project Team
For more information about the SED, please visit https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/
To learn more about how your information is protected, please see:
https://sedsurvey.org/content/pdf/Student_Brochure.pdf

EMAIL FOLLOW-UP SENT TO NONRESPONDENTS FOLLOWING CATI CALL VOICEMAIL
Subject: We left you a voicemail message on behalf of NSF
Dear Dr. ,
A member of our survey team called you and left a voicemail message regarding the Survey of Earned Doctorates. The
SED is conducted by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other federal agencies and the survey data are being
collected under contract by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization. The SED survey will soon come to a
close, so we hope you will take just 10 minutes to complete it over the phone or complete it online at your convenience.
The SED is an annual census that gathers information from new research doctorate graduates from U.S. universities about
their educational histories, funding sources, and post-doctoral plans. We don’t want you to miss out on providing valuable
input that will be used to inform governmental policy, evaluate graduate education programs, and make labor force
projections. Your responses will be kept strictly confidential, and only aggregate data will be publicly reported.
To complete the survey online, use the secure login credentials to access the survey at https://sed-ncses.org:
Pin: [CASEID]
Password: [PASSWORD]
If you would like to complete the survey over the phone with one of our interviewers, please call 877-256-8167 and
reference ID number [CASEID].
Thank you in advance for your participation, and congratulations on your achievement!
Peter Einaudi,
SED Project Director, RTI International

For more information about the SED, please visit https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/

EMAIL FOLLOW-UP SENT TO NONRESPONDENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED MORE THAN 10 CATI
CALLS WITHOUT CONTACT
Subject: A message on behalf of NSF
Dear Dr. ,
We have tried to contact you several times regarding the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) but have been unsuccessful.
We know that receiving unwanted phone calls can be annoying, so we want to reach out to explain the purpose of our
calls.
The SED is an annual census that gathers information from new research doctorate graduates from U.S. universities about
their educational histories, funding sources, and post-doctoral plans. We don't want you to miss out on providing valuable
input that will be used to inform governmental policy, evaluate graduate education programs, and make labor force
projections. Your responses will be kept strictly confidential, and only aggregate data will be publicly reported.
To complete the survey online, use the secure login credentials to access the survey at https://sed-ncses.org:
Pin: [CASEID]
Password: [PASSWORD]
To complete a short version of the survey by phone, please call 877-256-8167 and reference ID number [CASEID].
Thank you in advance for your participation, and congratulations on your achievement!
Peter Einaudi,
SED Project Director, RTI International
For more information about the SED, please visit https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/

EMAIL TO RESPONDENTS WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH BUT NO INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED
Subject: Recent Phone Call about the SED
Dear Dr. [LASTNAME],
Thank you for taking the time to speak to us recently about the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED). The SED is
conducted by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other federal agencies, with the survey data collection by RTI
International, a nonprofit research organization. The SED is an annual census that collects important information on new
U.S. research doctorate graduates about their educational history, graduate education funding, and postgraduation plans.
We invite you to complete an abbreviated survey which takes about 10 minutes over the phone or complete the full Web
survey at your convenience. We understand that you're very busy, but we want to make sure your information is included
in the valuable data that is used to inform government policy, evaluate graduate education programs, and make labor force
projections. Your responses will be kept strictly confidential, and only aggregate data will be publicly reported.
To complete the survey online, use the secure login credentials to access the survey at https://sed-ncses.org:
PIN: [CASEID_TRACKING]
Password: [PASSWORD]
To complete the survey over the phone, please call 877-256-8167 and reference ID number [CASEID].
Thank you in advance for your participation, and congratulations on your achievement!
Peter Einaudi,
SED Project Director, RTI International
For more information about the SED, please visit https://nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/.