Overview

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) funds graduate study within the United States leading to research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in specific STEM and social sciences disciplines, including Chemistry, Computer & Information Sciences and Engineering, Geosciences, Life Sciences, Materials Research, Mathematical Sciences, Physics & Astronomy, Psychology, Social Sciences, and STEM Education & Learning Research.

The GRFP provides up to three years of support for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant achievements in science and engineering research. The GRFP supports over 100 subfields.

The program goals are: 1) to select, recognize, and financially support early-career individuals with the demonstrated potential to be high achieving scientists and engineers, and 2) to broaden participation in science and engineering of women, persons who are members of groups historically underrepresented in STEM, persons with disabilities, and veterans. NSF actively encourages women, persons who are members of groups historically underrepresented in STEM, persons with disabilities, veterans, and undergraduate seniors to apply.

Eligibility

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 United States graduate institution, with a US campus, by fall 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 (see Application Limit, below)

*Eligible Graduate Programs

If awarded, Fellows must enroll in a graduate degree program consistent with the Major Field of Study proposed in their application.

Only research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in STEM or STEM education are eligible for GRFP support. Professional degree programs and graduate programs that are primarily course-based with no thesis are ineligible for GRFP support.

Individuals are not eligible to apply if they will be enrolled in a practice-oriented professional degree program such as medical, dental, law, and public health degrees at any time during the fellowship. Ineligible degree programs include MBA, MPH, MSW, JD, MD, and DDS. Joint or combined professional degree-science programs (e.g., MD/PhD or JD/PhD) and dual professional degree-science programs are also ineligible.

Application Limit

• Undergraduate seniors and bachelor’s degree holders who have never enrolled in a graduate degree program have no restrictions on the number of times they can apply before enrolling in a degree-granting graduate program.
• Graduate students enrolled in a degree-granting graduate program are limited to only one application to the GRFP, submitted in the first year or beginning of the second year of their degree program.

Questions? See the Program Solicitation under “Eligibility: Number of Times Individuals May Apply.”

Prior Research Experience

At least 1 year of prior research experience is strongly recommended. Discuss graduate degree goals, potential subfields/specializations, and research topic interests with mentors prior to application. Advice from mentors as you develop your NSF statements is important for producing a competitive proposal.

Undergraduates with a close relationship with faculty mentors and/or with graduate and postdoctoral students in their own research group are significantly more likely to win funding. Our staff believe this is due to receiving multiple rounds of feedback on the research project plan. Fellowship advisor feedback is not a substitute for, but a complement to, feedback from experts in your own discipline.

Benefits

• Five year fellowship period with three years of financial support
• Annual stipend of $34,000
• Cost-of-education allowance of $12,000 to the institution
• No post-graduate study service requirement
• Access to supplemental funding to sustain research while on medical deferral (e.g. family leave)

Learn More About the NSF GRFP

Get started with developing your application strategy by checking out NSF 101: The Graduate Research Fellowship Program and these bios of former NSF fellows who are conducting ground-breaking scientific research today. Where will the NSF GRFP take you?

Upcoming Events:

Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021* 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm	NSF GRFP Information Session in collaboration with the College of Engineering (virtual, Zoom Registration Link)
Monday, Oct. 18, 2021 10:00 am – 12 Noon	NSF GRFP Fall Break Drop-In Hours (virtual, Zoom Registration Link)
Monday, Oct. 18, 2021 1:30 – 3:30 PM	NSF GRFP Fall Break Drop-In Hours In-person at Nebraska Union 225

Optional Advising Available

Graduating seniors and recent undergraduate alumni who will not be enrolled in graduate school in Fall 2021 may contact Courtney Santos, Director of National & International Fellowships, courtney.santos@unl.edu for access to our Canvas advising course resources and personalized application materials feedback. You can also book a National Fellowships advising appointment through MyPLAN.

Graduate students may request feedback on GRFP applications through the Office of Graduate Studies Consultation Services.  You can either request a 30-minute Friday morning consultation or submit your materials for a more in-depth review and appointment.  If you submit materials, use the form at the bottom of the page and mark “Grant and Proposal Writing”.  OGS can also review materials for other fellowships or grants as requested.