NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
A prestigious fellowship paying a $37,000 yearly stipend plus tuition for three years to students starting research-based STEM graduate degrees.
About this program
GRFP provides a five-year fellowship with three years of financial support: a $37,000 stipend plus a $16,000 cost-of-education payment to the institution each funded year ($53,000 per year), with tuition and mandatory fees fully covered. There is no post-graduate service requirement. Deadlines vary by field: Life Sciences October 19, 2026; Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Materials Research, Psychology, and Social Sciences October 20; Engineering October 22; Chemistry, Geosciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physics and Astronomy October 23. All reference letters are due October 16, 2026. Graduate students can apply only once, in the first year of their first graduate program. The max_award_amount field reflects the per-year figure.
Eligibility
U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents who are college seniors, bachelor's degree holders not enrolled in a graduate degree program, or first-year graduate students (less than one academic year completed) intending to pursue a full-time research-based master's or doctoral degree in an eligible STEM field at a U.S. nonprofit institution. Not open to those who hold a master's, doctoral, or professional degree, or who are in professional programs (MD, JD, MBA, etc.).
Requirements
- Application via the Research.gov GRFP module
- Reference letters submitted by October 16, 2026
- Official transcripts