[U.S. National Science Foundation](https://www.nsf.gov/)

October 15, 2025 (Third Wednesday in October, annually)

$190,000 per fellowship (24 months of stipend/allowance over a 48-month period); approx. 45 awards; total program funding $8.5M

Supports early-career researchers in mathematics or statistics with postdoctoral fellowships to advance their scientific development in impactful research environments.

--- ## Description The Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (MSPRF) program is designed to support promising early-career researchers in mathematics and statistics. The fellowships provide recipients with the flexibility to pursue postdoctoral research in environments that will maximize their scientific growth and career development. Fellows may choose between two award options: the Research Fellowship (full-time research) or the Research Instructorship (combining research with teaching experience). Awards support research in all areas of mathematics and statistics, including applications to other disciplines. --- ## Due Dates - **Full Proposal Deadline:** October 15, 2025 (Third Wednesday in October, annually) - Proposals are due by 5:00 PM (submitter's local time) via Research.gov. --- ## Funding Amount - **Award Amount:** $190,000 per fellowship - Includes stipend and research/travel/fringe benefits allowance - Stipend: $5,833/month for full-time (up to $70,000 annually); $2,917/month for half-time - Allowance: $50,000 total (disbursed in $30,000 and $20,000 increments over the first two years) - **Duration:** Up to 48 months (with 24 months of stipend support) - **Estimated Number of Awards:** ~45 annually - **Total Program Funding:** $8,500,000 (subject to availability) --- ## Eligibility - **Who May Apply:** Individuals (not institutions) - **Citizenship:** U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or legally admitted permanent resident aliens - **Degree:** Doctoral degree in mathematics/statistics (must be conferred before fellowship start date) - **Career Stage:** May not have held the doctoral degree for more than 2 years as of January 1 of the award year - **Restrictions:** - Must not have previously been a PI or co-PI on an NSF award (except graduate research fellowships or conference/workshop support) - Must not have previously received an MSPRF award - May submit only one proposal per year - Research plan must not be duplicated in another NSF proposal - **Host Institution:** Fellows must affiliate with an appropriate U.S.-based institution (IHE, government/national lab, nonprofit, or for-profit under certain conditions) - **Sponsoring Scientist:** Required; must provide a mentoring plan --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Directly by the individual applicant via [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov/) - **Registration:** Applicants must register as individuals in Research.gov before starting the proposal - **Components Required:** - Project Description (5 pages) - Data Management Plan (2 pages) - Sponsoring Scientist Statement (3 pages) - Reference Letters (minimum 3, up to 4; doctoral advisor recommended) - Application forms (host institution, sponsoring scientist details, subject classification, etc.) - Supplementary documents (if applicable, e.g., long-term absence plan) - **No letters of intent or preliminary proposals required** - **Cost sharing:** Not required or allowed --- ## Additional Information - **Award Options:** - Research Fellowship: Full-time research for 18 academic-year months (in intervals ≥3 months), plus 6 summer months, within a 3-year period - Research Instructorship: One academic year full-time, two academic years half-time (to allow for teaching), plus 6 summer months - **Start Date:** Postdoctoral appointment must begin between June 1 and October 1 of the award year - **Review Criteria:** Intellectual merit and broader impacts, as per NSF standard; additional emphasis on mentoring and host environment - **Notification:** Awards typically announced in late January or early February following the proposal deadline --- ## External Links - [NSF Program Page (MSPRF)](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/msprf-mathematical-sciences-postdoctoral-research-fellowships) - [NSF Solicitation 23-603 (Full Guidelines)](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf23603) - [Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/349280) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) - [Research.gov Registration for Individuals](https://www.research.gov/accountmgmt/assets/welcomeunaffiliated.html) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | |-----------------------|------------------------------|---------------| | Stefaan G. De Winter | sgdewint@nsf.gov | (703) 292-2599| | Wing Suet Li | winli@nsf.gov | (703) 292-4630| | Hailiang Liu | hliu@nsf.gov | (703) 292-2436| | Tapabrata Maiti | tmaiti@nsf.gov | (703) 292-5307| | Ludmil Zikatanov | luzikata@nsf.gov | (703) 292-2175| | NSF Help Desk | rgov@nsf.gov | 1-800-381-1532| | Grants.gov Support | grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov | — | ---

Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

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