The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) helps ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science and engineering in the United States and reinforces its diversity. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees at accredited United States institutions. As the oldest graduate fellowship of its kind, the GRFP has a long history of selecting recipients who achieve high levels of success in their future academic and professional careers. The reputation of the GRFP follows recipients and often helps them become life-long leaders that contribute significantly to both scientific innovation and teaching. Past fellows include numerous Nobel Prize winners, U.S. Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, Google founder, Sergey Brin and Freakonomics co-author, Steven Levitt.
Fellows share in the prestige and opportunities that become available when they are selected. Fellows benefit from a three-year annual stipend of $32,000 along with a $12,000 cost of education allowance for tuition and fees (paid to the institution), opportunities for international research and professional development, and the freedom to conduct their own research at any accredited U.S. institution of graduate education they choose. NSF Fellows are anticipated to become knowledge experts who can contribute significantly to research, teaching, and innovations in science and engineering. These individuals are crucial to maintaining and advancing the nation's technological infrastructure and national security as well as contributing to the economic well-being of society at large.
So that the nation can build fully upon the strength and creativity of a diverse society, the Foundation welcomes applications from all qualified individuals. Women, under-represented minorites and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Those with disabilities are additionally accommodated by the Foundation to provide for the most successful graduate experience possible.
The fellowship is competitive, and those planning to apply should devote a sincere effort to their application.
Specific Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the NSF GRFP, you must:
- be a US citizen, US national, or permanent resident
- be planning to pursue a research-focused Master's or Ph.D. program in an NSF-supported field
- be enrolled in an eligible program at an accredited United States graduate institution by Fall 2014
- have completed no more than twelve months of full-time graduate study (or the equivalent) as of August 1, 2013
- meet all other eligibility requirements as set forth in the current Program Solicitation
The "no more than twelve months" limit applies to your entire post-baccalaureate career, not just your current program. If you have completed less than twelve months of your Ph.D. but have previously completed a Master's degree, you would not be eligible for the GRFP.
The complete set of GRFP eligibility guidelines is published in theprogram solicitation. We strongly encourage all applicants to read the program solicitation carefully before applying. T
The following categories are always ineligible for the GRFP:
- Those who do not hold US citizen, US national or permanent resident status by the application deadlines.
- Those who were previously awarded a fellowship from the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program and accepted it.
- Those who have declined the offer of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and who did not notify NSF by the published deadline for accepting the Fellowship.
- Those who have earned any graduate or professional degree as of August 1, 2013, except applicants who have completed a joint BS/MS program and have not completed any further graduate study outside the joint program, or those who are requesting eligibility consideration due to an extenuating circumstance as listed in the Program Solicitation.
- Current NSF employees.