National Science Foundation – Graduate Research Fellowship Program

Fellowship details

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Application Status
application status icon
Closed
Deadline
10/11/2024
Amount
3 years of support
Citizenship Requirements
U.S. Citizen
Contact

Overview

The National Science Foundation (NSF) offers fellowships to students in the early stages of pursuing a research based Master’s or Ph.D. degree. The Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) affords our nation’s research leaders of tomorrow exceptional funding with three years of graduate support worth thousands of dollars.

Eligible UCI graduate students who apply for the NSF GRFP may be eligible for a $500 award. Learn more about our incentive program here.

Award Information

GRFP Fellows Receive the Following:

  • Three years of support
    • $37,000 annual stipend
    • $16,000 cost-of-education allowance to institution
  • Supercomputer access

Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to apply for an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship if you:

  • Are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or permanent resident alien; and
  • Are a graduating senior, or have completed a B.A./B.S. degree, or are in the first year or the first semester of the second year in graduate school at the time of the application deadline; and
  • Did not previously apply to NSF GRFP as a graduate student*; and
  • Are pursuing a research-based master’s or doctoral degree in GRFP-supported disciplines, including: chemistry, computer and information science and engineering, engineering, geosciences, life sciences, mathematics, physics and anatomy, psychology, social sciences and STEM education.
  • Applicants who have completed more than twelve months of graduate study may be considered eligible if they have had an interruption in graduate study of at least two consecutive years prior to August of the year they are applying. To be eligible, applicants must not have attended graduate school for two years prior to August 1 of the year applying. Applicants also cannot be entering a graduate program in the fall of the year they are applying to the NSF GRFP. A statement describing the extenuating circumstance is required in the application.

*Note: Beginning in the 2017 cycle, graduate students only have one opportunity to apply.

Application Process

NSF GRFP Proposals are evaluated on two merit review criteria: Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts.

Intellectual Merit

  • Ability to plan and conduct research
  • Excellence when working both independently and on a team
  • Aptitude in interpreting and communicating research findings

Broader Impacts – Activities and projects that:

  • Integrate research and education
  • Communicate your methodology and findings to a diverse audience
  • Encourage diversity and enable full participation
  • Enhance global scientific and technical understanding
  • Benefit society

Contact

For more information about the NSF GRFP and resources available for UCI applicants, please contact:

Kayleigh Anderson-Natale
Director of Postdoc and Professional Development
949-824-5196

Resources At UC Irvine

Graduate Division and GPSRC Resources:

Looking for help getting started? Check out our NSF GRFP Fellowship Mentor consultation program! The Graduate and Postdoctoral Scholars Resource Center (GPSRC) offers fellowship mentorship support to graduate students applying to the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). All Fellowship Mentors have received NSF-GRFP awards and/or a honorable mention, and are trained to mentor you through the process of creating your own stellar application in a supportive environment.

Summer 2025 NSF GRFP Workshops
  • NSF GRFP Information Session: The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship is an excellent opportunity to get your research funded. Join us to discuss this excellent opportunity open to domestic first and second year STEM students who do not have a master’s degree.
  • NSF GRFP: Writing your Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement: Applying for the NSF GRFP? Join us to discuss the Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement and learn some strategies for writing an effective statement.
  • NSF GRFP: Writing your Research Plan: Applying for the NSF GRFP? Join us to go over the basics for composing an effective Research Plan.

The GPSRC is located at 3100 Gateway Student Center (The entire 3rd floor). The main stairs that take you to the third floor are at the back of the building, facing Aldrich Park. The elevator is next to the SOAR office. Click here for a map and directions from Ring Road.

Resources and Links

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