Deadline

Third week of October, dates vary by field of study. Specific dates will be announced in early June 2024. Application portal opens late July/early August 2024. 

2024 Deadlines:

October TBA, 2024:  Life Sciences

October TBA, 2024: Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Materials Research, Psychology, Social Sciences, STEM Education and Learning

October TBA, 2024: Engineering

October TBA, 2024: Chemistry, Geosciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy

Overview

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) provides fellowships to individuals selected early in their graduate careers based on their demonstrated potential for significant achievements in research (including social sciences and education) and in STEM fields. Included in this fellowship are three years of tuition, fees and insurance cost support provided by the program, for the purpose of supporting graduate studies that are in a field within the NSF's mission and leads to a research-based master's or doctoral degree. 

► Watch an info session
► See last year's winners

Award Details

This prestigious award provides graduate students with the academic freedom and the expert network community necessary to accelerate and complete cutting edge research. Among the benefits of the award, fellows can expect:

• $37,000 annual stipend for 3 years
• $1,000 annually for research, for 3 years
• Tuition and fees paid for 3 years
• GTFF health insurance paid for 3 years
• International research & development opportunities
• Connection with globally engaged network of experts and leaders
• More time to accelerate your research without work obligation
• No post-graduate study service requirement

Eligibility and Criteria

To be eligible for the NSF GRFP, you must:

• be a US citizen, US national, or permanent resident
• intend to pursue a research-based Master’s or Ph.D. program in a GRFP-supported field
• be enrolled in an eligible program at an accredited US graduate institution, with a US campus, by fall term following selection
• be at an early stage in your graduate career
• have completed no more than one academic year of full-time graduate study (or the equivalent)

Graduate students are limited to only one application to the GRFP, submitted either in the first year or in the second year of graduate school.

More details on eligibility at nsfgrfp.org/applicants/applicant-eligibility

NSF-GRFP supports students proposing a comprehensive holistic plan for graduate education that takes into account individual interests and competencies. A holistic plan describes the experiences, attributes, and academic achievements that, when considered in combination, show how you have demonstrated potential for significant research achievements in research or in STEM education. So, an applicant must provide a detailed profile of their relevant educational and research experiences and plans for graduate education in such a way as to demonstrate this potential for significant achievements. All GRFP applications are evaluated using NSF’s two merit review criteria: Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. In order to present a competitive application, you must address both merit review criteria thoroughly. 

See nsfgrfp.org/applicants/application-resources for details on application material.

Application

To be announced in early June.

NSF-GRFP official site

For more information, please contact the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies.

Graduate Students with Financial Aid
Receiving this award may reduce your financial aid award. Please contact the Financial Aid Office prior to applying for this (and any other type of) support.

Information Session

Video timestamps: