Funder: National Science Foundation
Due Dates: October 15, 2025 (Full Proposal) | Annually, third Wednesday in October
Funding Amounts: Up to $190,000 per fellowship over 48 months (24 months of stipend support + $50,000 allowance); ~35–45 awards/year
Summary: Supports early-career researchers in mathematics and statistics through flexible postdoctoral fellowships to advance scientific development and leadership.
Key Information: Proposals are submitted by individuals (not institutions); strict eligibility criteria apply regarding degree date and prior NSF awards.
Description
The National Science Foundation's Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (MSPRF) program is designed to support the scientific development of early-career researchers in mathematics and statistics. The fellowship provides recent PhDs with the flexibility to pursue research in a postdoctoral environment that will maximize their future impact as scientific leaders. Fellows may choose between two options: a full-time research fellowship or a research instructorship that combines research and teaching experience. The program aims to foster close collaboration with a sponsoring scientist and host institution, supporting research in mathematics, statistics, and their applications to other disciplines.
Due Dates
- Next deadline: October 15, 2025 (third Wednesday in October)
- Subsequent deadlines: Annually, third Wednesday in October
- Submission time: Proposals due by 5:00 p.m. submitter's local time
Funding Amount
- Total award: Up to $190,000 per fellowship
- Stipend: $5,833/month (full-time) or $2,917/month (half-time), up to 24 months (18 academic-year months + 6 summer months)
- Allowance: $50,000 total ($30,000 in year 1, $20,000 in year 2) for research expenses, fringe benefits, and related costs
- Duration: 48 months (fellowship support for 24 months within this period)
- Estimated number of awards: 35–45 per year
- Total program funding: ~$8.5 million annually (subject to availability)
Eligibility
- Who may apply: Individuals only (not institutions)
- Citizenship: U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or legally admitted permanent residents
- Degree requirements:
- Doctoral degree in mathematics or statistics conferred before the postdoctoral appointment start date
- Degree must have been awarded no more than 2 years before January 1 of the award year
- Other restrictions:
- Must not have previously received an MSPRF award
- Must not have been a PI or co-PI on an NSF award (except for graduate research fellowships or conference/workshop support)
- May not submit a research plan duplicated in another NSF proposal
- One proposal per individual per year
- Host institution: Fellows must affiliate with a U.S. institution (IHE, government/national lab, nonprofit, or for-profit under certain conditions) and arrange a sponsoring scientist
Application Process
- Submission platform: Research.gov
- Who submits: The individual applicant (serves as their own Authorized Organizational Representative)
- Required components:
- Project description (max 5 pages)
- Data management plan (max 2 pages)
- Sponsoring scientist statement (max 3 pages)
- Three to four reference letters (one from doctoral adviser; sponsoring scientist may not write a reference unless also the adviser)
- Application forms (host institution, sponsoring scientist, subject classification, etc.)
- Budget (stipend and allowance are pre-populated)
- Supplementary documents (if applicable, e.g., plan for long-term absence)
- No letters of intent or preliminary proposals required
- Start date: Postdoctoral appointment must begin between June 1 and October 1 of the award year
Additional Information
- Fellowship options:
- Research Fellowship: 18 academic-year months (full-time) + 6 summer months, within 3 years
- Research Instructorship: 1 academic year full-time + 2 academic years half-time, plus 6 summer months, over 3 years (teaching experience included)
- Allowable uses of allowance: Research expenses, health insurance, dependent care, moving expenses, etc.
- Leave: Up to 2 months of paid leave (including parental/family leave) within the 48-month period
- No cost sharing required; indirect costs not applicable
- Fellowships are not renewable
External Links
Contact Information
For technical support with Research.gov, contact the Research.gov Help Desk. For programmatic questions, contact any of the program officers listed above.