NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing full-time research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education. The GRFP provides three years of support over a five-year fellowship period for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant research achievements in STEM or STEM education. NSF actively encourages women, persons who are members of groups historically underrepresented in STEM, persons with disabilities, and veterans to apply.
NSF GRFP was established to recruit and support individuals who demonstrate the potential to make significant contributions in STEM. Thus, NSF especially encourages applications from undergraduate seniors and Bachelor’s degree-holders interested in pursuing research-based graduate study in STEM. First- and second-year graduate students in eligible STEM fields and degree programs are also encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident. See the solicitation for full eligibility requirements.
Application Deadline(s) (received by 5 p.m. local time of applicant’s mailing address):
October 17, 2022: Life Sciences
October 18, 2022: Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Materials Research, Psychology, Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences, STEM Education and Learning
October 20, 2022: Engineering
October 21, 2022: Chemistry, Geosciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy
Up to three years of support over a five-year fellowship period.
$37,000/year
Applicants must self-certify that they are eligible to receive the Fellowship. To be eligible, an applicant must meet all of the following eligibility criteria at the application deadline:
- Be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
- Intend to enroll or be enrolled full-time in a research-based master’s or doctoral degree program in an eligible Field of Study in STEM or STEM education
- Have never previously accepted a Graduate Research Fellowship
- If previously offered a Graduate Research Fellowship, have declined by the acceptance deadline
- Have never previously applied to GRFP while enrolled in a graduate degree program
- Have never earned a doctoral or terminal degree in any field
- Individuals holding joint Bachelor’s-Master’s degrees who did not progress directly to a doctoral program the semester following award of the joint degree must apply as returning graduate students (see below)
- Individuals with prior graduate enrollment who have: (i) completed more than one academic year in any graduate degree-granting program, (ii) earned a previous master’s degree of any kind (including Bachelor’s-Master’s degree), or (iii) earned a professional degree must meet the following requirements:
- not enrolled in a graduate degree program at application deadline
- two or more consecutive years past graduate degree enrollment or completion at the application deadline
- not enrolled in a graduate degree program at application deadline
- Not be a current NSF employee
- Website
- Application