The purpose of the U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and strength of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States.
The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees at accredited, nonprofit U.S. institutions of higher education.
As the oldest graduate fellowship of its kind, NSF GRFP has a long history of selecting recipients who achieve high levels of success in their future academic and professional careers. The reputation of NSF GRFP follows recipients and often helps them become life-long leaders that contribute significantly to both scientific innovation and teaching. Past fellows include numerous Nobel Prize winners and members of the National Academy of Sciences.
Fellowships provide students with:
- A $37,000 annual stipend (for three years).
- A $16,000 annual cost-of-education allowance accepted by the institution as payment in lieu of tuition and mandatory fees (there is no cost to the student).
- Access to professional development opportunities and the NSF GRFP community.
Fellowships may only be used for an eligible graduate degree program at a nonprofit academic institution accredited in, and having a campus located in, the U.S., its territories, possessions, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Expectations of fellows
GRFP fellows are anticipated to become knowledge experts who can contribute significantly to:
- Breakthrough scientific discoveries.
- Technological innovation and national security.
- STEM outreach and mentorship.
- Advancing U.S. economic competitiveness.
The program is highly competitive. Those planning to apply should devote appropriate time and effort to their application. See the Information for Applicants page for more information.
Program impact
GRFP has supported more than 70,000 fellows out of over 500,000 applicants, representing a broad spectrum of STEM fields.
GRFP alumni include:
- Over 40 Nobel Prize recipients.
- Over 450 members of the National Academy of Sciences.
- Leaders in academia, national laboratories, industry, and science policy.
Fellows often describe the program as transformative, giving them the freedom to pursue ambitious ideas, collaborate widely, and build the foundations of long-term research careers.
Program history
GRFP is the country's oldest fellowship program that directly supports graduate students in various STEM fields.
In March 1951, Alan T. Waterman, the chief scientist at the U.S. Office of Naval Research, was appointed by President Truman to become the first director of NSF. Waterman defined the agency's policy role as "one of advocating a research support program, improving government-university relations, and compiling reliable information on scientific research and manpower." In 1951, Congress appropriated only $151,000 for the agency to start administrative operations.
GRFP was established as the first program in the agency's history, to encourage individuals to pursue graduate education in science. In developing the program, graduate school was targeted as the academic level most likely to quickly produce scientists and engineers who could contribute to scientific accomplishments and innovation in the U.S.
Learn more about the history of NSF.