NSF GRFP Undergraduate to Ph.D. Pathway Award

UCI Graduate Division will provide a $15,000 award to eligible UCI undergraduate students who receive an NSF GRFP award and matriculate in a UCI Ph.D. program. (Honorable mentions do not qualify). 

This Pathway Award is funded by UCI Graduate Division; it is distinct from the stipend and Cost of Education allowance from the NSF GRFP. 

The pathway award is effective beginning Fall 2027 admissions cycle (i.e., students starting first-year of UCI Ph.D. program in Fall 2027). 

To qualify for the $15,000 pathway award, UCI undergraduates must: 

  • Have a confirmed NSF GRFP award notification 
  • Be accepted to and matriculate in a UCI Ph.D. program by the fall of the GRFP award 
  • Have been an undergraduate enrolled at UCI at the time of the GRFP application (undergraduates from other institutions are not eligible)   
  • Matriculate in a UCI Ph.D. program that is non-self-supporting. A list of self-supporting graduate programs that are ineligible can be found here. 
  • Be enrolled full-time as a UCI graduate student, defined as 12 units, and in good academic standing in an eligible Ph.D. program at the time of the award disbursement. Should a student graduate before an award disbursement (refer to process below), take a leave of absence, withdraw, transfer out of their original Ph.D. program, or not be enrolled in the summer, the award will not be issued.  
Award Process 
  • Upon successful notification of NSF GRFP award, UCI undergraduate students should inform the Ph.D. department in which they intend to matriculate.  
  • Graduate Division funds the $15,000 Pathway award; it is separate from NSF GRFP stipend and cost of living allowance. Disbursement is handled by student’s Ph.D. program over 3 summers per this schedule:  
  • The first installment of the pathway award ($5000) will be disbursed the summer after the 2nd year of the Ph.D., the 2nd installment ($5000) after the 3rd year, and the 3rd installment after the 4th year ($5000). 
  • Per federal guidelines, all fellowship and tuition support is considered when determining student loan eligibility. This enrollment award could reduce student loan eligibility if the student receives federal student loans during the same academic year(s) as the award.  
  • Graduate Division will make all final determinations about eligibility and reserves the right not to issue an award.