NSF GRFP Incentive Program

To encourage more students to develop competitive applications, UCI Graduate Division will provide a $500 award for graduate students who successfully submit a NSF GRFP application. Successfully funded applications will receive an additional $1000 award. Honorable mentions do not qualify.

Eligibility and Procedure: 

To qualify for the $500 submission award, you must: 

  • Be enrolled full-time (12 units) and in good academic standing in an eligible Master’s or Ph.D. program (self-supporting programs are not eligible)
  • Meet all NSF GRFP eligibility criteria
  • You must submit your fellowship applications at their respective due dates
  • Submit a Form with all required information by deadline of Monday, November 3, 2025, 5:00 PM, including:
    • copy of your final fellowship application
    • NSF verification of receipt of application 

To qualify for the $1000 funding award, you must: 

  • Fulfill criteria stated above
  • Be enrolled full-time (12 units) and in good academic standing in an eligible Master’s or Ph.D. program (self-supporting programs are not eligible)
  • Satisfy all requirements of NSF GRFP award
  • Submit a Form with your NSF notice of award indicating funding approval**

**Graduate Division will make the final determination if your submission qualifies for incentives and reserves the right not to issue an award. Honorable mentions do not qualify. Applications must be received no later than 30 days after NSF notice of award.  

Per federal guidelines, all fellowship and tuition support is considered when determining student loan eligibility. This incentive award could reduce your student loan eligibility if you receive federal student loans during the same academic year as awards.