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What Is the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship?

The NSF GRFP is a government program that helps fund masters and doctoral education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Fellows receive a three-year annual stipend (currently $37,000) plus a cost-of-education allowance paid to their institution, and that funding follows the student, so they can transfer schools without losing the award.

Funding and Costs
Katelyn Kennedy
By Katelyn Kennedy
14 Sep 2026
students seated on a circular couch watching an open laptop

Key Points Summary

    Who can apply for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship?

    To be eligible for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, applicants must:

    • Be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents that is either:
      • An undergraduate senior,
      • A bachelor's degree holder new to graduate school,
      • A joint bachelor's-master's student, OR
      • A first-year graduate student (with less than a year completed);
    In addition, eligible applicants must plan to pursue a research-based master's or Ph.D. in an eligible STEM field.

    What do I receive from the NSF fellowship?

    Fellowships provide up to three years of funding (in 12-month increments) that can be used over a five-year period, with awards typically announced in early April.

    The Fellowship is portable, allowing transfer to a different institution after the first year. Funds go to the enrolling institution, up to $53,000 per Fellow per year, which disburses a $37,000 annual stipend to the Fellow plus a $16,000 Cost of Education allowance to cover tuition and mandatory fees.

    Which colleges accept the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship?

    Any accredited graduate institution in the United States with a U.S. campus that offers research-based master's or Ph.D. programs in eligible STEM and social science fields will accept a fellowship.

    From First-Gen Student to NSF Fellow

    First-year doctoral student Victoria Amari earned the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship to fund her biomedical engineering research.

    What needs to be included in the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship application?

    Applications must include the following information:

    • Personal Information;

    • Education, Work and Other Experience;

    • Transcript PDFs;

    • Proposed Field of Study;

    • Proposed Graduate Study and Graduate School Information;

    • Personal, Relevant Background, and Future Goals Statement PDF; and

    • Graduate Research Plan Statement PDF;

    • Names and email addresses of at least three reference letter writers (reference letters provided separately by writers).

      • Reference writers cannot be family members of the applicant. Applicants must provide name and contact information for three (3) reference writers; up to five (5) can be provided.

    Where do I submit the NSF GRF application and what are the application guidelines?

    Your application should be submitted on the GRFP website here.

    Here are the application guidelines and formatting on the GRFP website.

    When is the graduate research fellowship application due?

    According to academic field of interest, application must be submited by 8 p.m. Eastern Time, on the follow days:

    • October 19, 2026 - Life Sciences
    • October 20, 2026 - Computer and Information Science and Engineering; Materials Research; Psychology; Social Sciences
    • October 22, 2026 - Engineering
    • October 23, 2026 - Chemistry; Geosciences; Mathematical Sciences; Physics and Astronomy

    What is the review and selection process like?

    Applications are reviewed by a panel of scientists, engineers, and graduate education experts.

    • Rather than focusing on any single factor, reviewers take a holistic approach by weighing educational and research background, leadership, outreach, service, and future plans, along with personal qualities like creativity and initiative.

    The overall goal is to identify early-career applicants with strong potential for future contributions and broader impact in STEM fields.

    Applicants will be notified of their outcome by April of competition year or applicants can also check the status of their application on the NSF website.

     

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