NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program 2027

The purpose of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and strength of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. Since 1952, the program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students pursuing full-time research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. GRFP was established to recruit and support individuals who demonstrate the potential to make significant contributions in STEM. NSF encourages applications from all eligible candidates in the U.S.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineOctober 19, 2026
• Study LevelPostdoctoral Fellowships
• SponsorU.S. National Science Foundation
• School to study
• Eligible CountryUnited States

Benefits

• The awardee institution is responsible for disbursement of Fellowship funds to the Fellow. The Graduate Research Fellowship stipend is $37,000 for a 12-month tenure period, disbursed according to the awardee institution's disbursement schedule. The Cost of Education allowance provides $16,000 to the institution in lieu of all tuition and mandatory fees.

Requirements

Only individuals who meet the following criteria both at time of application and acceptance if offered a fellowship are eligible to apply for and receive GRFP support:

1. Citizenship

   Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents ("green card" holders) by the application deadline, and if offered a fellowship, at the time of acceptance.

   The term "national" designates a native resident of a commonwealth or territory of the United States. It does not refer to a citizen of another country who has applied for U.S. citizenship and who has not received U.S. citizenship by the application deadline, nor does it refer to an individual present in the U.S. on any type of visa.

2. Academic Requirements

   Applicants must intend to enroll or be enrolled in an eligible research-based (with thesis) master's or doctoral degree program in an eligible field of study in STEM (See Appendix and Section IV.3 for eligible Fields of study) by fall of the award year, and currently in one of academic levels:

   Level 1: Undergraduate

   1. current undergraduate seniors (final year of bachelor's degree)
   2. bachelor's degree holders with no prior graduate degree enrollment

   Undergraduate students on track to receive a bachelor's degree before fall of the year following the application (e.g., senior or final year of a bachelor's degree program) and bachelor's degree holders who have never enrolled in a graduate degree program can apply unlimited times before enrolling in a graduate degree program. They must be prepared to enroll full-time in an eligible graduate degree program by the fall term of the calendar year during which they are offered an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.

   Level 2: Graduate

   1. current joint bachelor's-master's degree students in final undergraduate or first graduate year of joint degree program

      Joint bachelor's-master's degree students are considered graduate students and can apply only once in the final undergraduate OR first graduate year of the joint program.

   2. current first-year graduate students in their first graduate degree program with less than one academic year completed according to the institution's academic calendar.

      Graduate students in the first year of their first graduate degree program with less than one academic year of graduate study as indicated in the Registrar-issued academic transcript of the enrolled institution, at the application deadline.

      • Graduate status is determined by the Registrar-issued transcript
      • Summer research activities that are part of the graduate degree program (e.g., research credits) will be counted as graduate activities
      • Graduate coursework taken without being enrolled in a graduate degree-granting program is not counted in this limit.

   Second-year graduate students are not eligible to apply.

3. Field of Study, Degree Programs, and Proposed Research

   Fellowships are awarded for graduate study leading to eligible research-based master's and doctoral degrees in the following science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) Major Fields of Study:

   • Chemistry
   • Computer and Information Sciences and Engineering
   • Engineering
   • Geosciences
   • Life Sciences
   • Materials Research
   • Mathematical Sciences
   • Physics & Astronomy
   • Psychology
   • Social Sciences

   The eligible Major Fields of Study and their associated subfields, which include the high-priority research areas, are listed in the Appendix. Only the Major Fields of Study and the listed subfields are eligible. Applicants should first select the Major Field of Study, then a subfield to align their proposed graduate program and research. If awarded, Fellows must enroll in a graduate degree program that corresponds most closely with the proposed graduate program of study and research plan proposed in their application.

   Only eligible research-based master's and doctoral degrees in STEM that include a thesis will be supported by GRFP. Professional degree programs and graduate programs that are primarily course-based without a thesis are ineligible for GRFP support.

   Limited exceptions to ineligible proposed research

   1. 1. Certain areas of bioengineering and biomedical engineering research directed at medical use are eligible. These include research projects in bioengineering to aid persons with disabilities, or to diagnose or treat human disease or disorder, provided they apply engineering principles to problems in medicine while primarily advancing engineering knowledge. Applicants planning to study and conduct research in these areas of bioengineering should select Engineering as the Major Field of Study, and Bioengineering or Biomedical Engineering as the subfield. These exceptions apply solely to applications that indicate Engineering as the Major Field of Study.
      2. Certain areas of materials research directed at development of materials for use in biological or biomedical systems are eligible, provided they are focused on furthering fundamental materials research.
      3. Certain areas of research with etiology-, diagnosis-, or treatment-related goals that advance fundamental knowledge in engineering, mathematical, physical, computer, or information sciences are eligible for support.

      Applicants are advised to consult a faculty member, academic advisor, mentor, or other knowledgeable source for guidance on preparation of their research plans, selection of Major Fields of Study, and identification of subfields to ensure they are consistent with those included in the Appendix.

4. Never previously accepted a Graduate Research Fellowship;
5. Declined any previously offered Graduate Research Fellowship by the declination deadline (if applicable);
6. Not be a current NSF employee.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

• All applications must be submitted through https://www.research.gov/grfp/Login.do.

For more information kindly visit the NSF webpage.