NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program funds early-career STEM graduate students to pursue independent, research-based master's or doctoral degrees at U.S. institutions.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: October 16, 2026 (reference letters) | October 19, 2026 (Life Sciences) | October 20, 2026 (CIS&E, Materials, Psychology, Social Sciences) | October 22, 2026 (Engineering) | October 23, 2026 (Chemistry, Geosciences, Math, Physics & Astronomy)
Funding Amounts: $159,000 total per award (three years of support over five years: $37,000/year stipend + $16,000/year cost of education allowance); ~1,500 fellowships awarded annually.
Summary: Supports outstanding early-career graduate students pursuing research-based master's or doctoral degrees in STEM fields at accredited U.S. institutions.
Key Information: Strict eligibility rules—see below for applicant and research field restrictions.
Description
The U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is a prestigious fellowship designed to ensure the vitality and diversity of the U.S. scientific and engineering workforce. Since 1952, the GRFP has supported exceptional students pursuing full-time, research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at accredited U.S. institutions. The fellowship is portable and provides recipients with significant financial support and professional development opportunities, with a strong emphasis on intellectual merit and broader societal impacts.
