Frequently Asked Questions for Applicants

This page features frequently asked questions from applicants for the U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP).

Table of Contents

Eligibility

  1. How can I determine if I am eligible to apply to the NSF GRFP?

    Please review the Applicant Eligibility page for guidance. The page features a questionnaire you can take to determine if you are eligible.

  2. How do the eligibility rules apply to joint bachelor's-master's degree students?

    Individuals pursuing a master's degree simultaneously with the bachelor's degree (joint bachelor's-master's degree) are considered to be graduate students and are limited to one application to NSF GRFP.

    Applicants in joint bachelor's-master's degree programs must be in the final undergraduate or first graduate year of the joint degree program as of the application deadline.

  3. Why has the eligibility for NSF GRFP changed?

    Changes to eligibility reflect adherence to the original intent of the NSF GRFP and statutory requirements. To achieve this goal, NSF GRFP will focus on the discovery and recruitment of individuals who demonstrate outstanding potential in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduate studies.

  4. I have completed more than one year of graduate study. Can I still be eligible?

    No. All enrollment in graduate degree-granting programs counts towards the limit, regardless of field of study; this includes study in non-NSF-supported fields as well as in STEM fields.

  5. I am in the first year of my Ph.D. program, but I previously earned a master's degree. Am I still eligible?

    No. If you have a master's degree, you are not eligible.

  6. Do continuing education credits count toward graduate study limits?

    Only if they count toward a graduate degree program.

  7. At what point in my academic career can I apply to NSF GRFP?

    You can apply as:

    An undergraduate (Level 1):

    • In the final year of a bachelor's degree program.
    • A bachelor's degree holder with no previous enrollment in a graduate degree-granting program.

    A graduate student (Level 2):

    • A joint bachelor's-master's degree student in the final undergraduate or first graduate year.
    • A first-year graduate student in your first graduate degree program.

    Please review the Applicant Eligibility page for guidance.

  8. Who is not eligible to apply to the GRFP?

    The following individuals are not eligible to apply:

    • Individuals who are not U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents. This includes foreign nationals who are in the U.S. on a student visa and those awaiting green cards.
    • Individuals who do not intend to enroll or be enrolled in a research-based graduate degree program1 in an eligible field of study in STEM.
    • Individuals who have previously accepted an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship offer.
    • Individuals who were awarded the fellowship and did not notify NSF of their intention to accept or decline the fellowship by the published deadline for accepting the fellowship.
    • Individuals who have previously applied while enrolled in a degree-granting graduate program.
    • Individuals who have earned a master's, doctoral or terminal degree in any field.
    • Individuals who are current NSF employees.
    • Individuals who will be enrolled in a practice-oriented professional degree program such as medical, dental, law, and public health degrees at any time during the fellowship. This includes, but is not limited to, MBA, MPH, MSW, JD, MD, DVM, and DDS programs.
    • Individuals who plan to pursue a joint science-professional degree program (such as an MD/Ph.D. or JD/Ph.D.) even if they are proposing to use the GRFP only for the Ph.D. part of their program. Additionally, applicants who are enrolled, or plan to enroll, in a graduate degree program while on a leave of absence from a professional degree program or professional degree-graduate degree joint program are not eligible.

     

    1. Degree programs must be at a nonprofit institution of higher education accredited in, and having a campus located in, the United States, its territories, or possessions, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Fields of study and research topics

  1. How should I select my Major Field of Study?

    Select the Major Field of Study and subfield that is most closely aligned with your proposed graduate program of study and research plan.

    The eligible fields and subfields are listed in the Appendix of the NSF GRFP Notice of Funding Opportunity. If a subfield is not listed, it is not eligible for the program. Consult an academic advisor for guidance.

  2. Can I apply if my department is different from my field of study?

    Yes. Select the Major Field of Study most aligned with your proposed research.

  3. How can I determine if my research topic is eligible?

    Check the Major Fields of Study listed in the NSF GRFP Notice of Funding Opportunity.

  4. Can I propose interdisciplinary research?

    Yes, but your application will be reviewed based on the first Major Field of Study you select.

  5. My intended study is interdisciplinary. Will my application be reviewed by reviewers drawn from these multiple fields?

    No. Your application will be reviewed based on the first Major Field of Study that you select. Choose a Major Field of Study that you consider most closely corresponds to your research interests. Your reviewers will be drawn from experts within that field. You can consult your advisor(s) for input about this decision.

Application materials and requirements

  1. What documents do I need for my application?

    • Personal, Relevant Background, and Future Goals Statement.
    • Graduate Research Plan.
    • Official undergraduate transcripts.
    • If applicable: Graduate transcripts, which may be unofficial if the institution of higher education does not provide official transcripts for first-year, first-academic term graduate students.
    • Two reference letters.
    • Three reference writer names and contact information.
    • Your completed application.

  2. Do my transcripts need to be official?

    Official undergraduate transcripts are required. Graduate transcripts may be unofficial if your institution does not provide official transcripts for first-year, first-term graduate students.

  3. Are Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores required for the NSF GRFP application?

    No. GRE scores are not part of the NSF GRFP application.

  4. How many reference letters are required?

    At least two letters must be received for your application to be reviewed.

  5. What happens if one of my reference letters is missing?

    You can still submit your application, but it will not be reviewed without at least two letters.

  6. Can I obtain copies of past successful applications?

    No. NSF does not provide past applications or statements.

Writing your statements

  1. What do reviewers look for in an NSF GRFP application?

    Clear evidence of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, demonstrated through your experiences, potential, and proposed research direction.

  2. Do I have to complete the exact research project described in my proposal?

    No. GRFP funds people, not specific projects. Your plan demonstrates potential, not a binding commitment.

  3. Do the statements need separate sections for Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts?

    Yes. You must include separate sections, under individual separate headings, on Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts in each of your two statements.

  4. What should the Broader Impacts section include?

    Examples include contributions to society, increasing participation in STEM, community engagement, educational outreach, or other societal benefits. Refer to the How Applications are Reviewed page for more information.

  5. Can I include preliminary research results?

    Yes, if they help demonstrate your preparation and potential.

  6. What are the current NSF GRFP merit review criteria?

    The criteria are Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. Please visit the How Applications are Reviewed page for guidance.

Formatting and structure

  1. Do headings and section titles count toward the page limit?

    Yes, everything on the page counts.

  2. Can I use bold text or formatting to organize my proposal?

    Yes, as long as the formatting complies with the application requirements. Refer to the How to Apply page and the NSF GRFP Notice of Funding Opportunity for more information.

  3. Are references allowed in the Graduate Research Plan statement?

    Yes, references are allowed and expected. Use standard citation formats.

  4. Can I include links to supplemental materials (papers, videos, etc.)?

    No. Reviewers are instructed to evaluate only the evidence provided within the application and not information contained in any external links.

  5. What happens if my formatting does not follow the guidelines?

    Applications will be automatically checked by the GRFP Application Module.

  6. Does NSF reject applications automatically if formatting is slightly incorrect?

    Documents that are not compliant will not be accepted by the GRFP Application Module.

Deadlines and submission

  1. What are the current NSF GRFP application deadlines by field of study?

    The deadlines based on field of study are as follows:

    • October 19, 2026 – Life Sciences
    • October 20, 2026 – Computer and Information Science and Engineering; Materials Research; Psychology; Social Sciences
    • October 22, 2026 – Engineering
    • October 23, 2026 – Chemistry; Geosciences; Mathematical Sciences; Physics and Astronomy

  2. Will my application be reviewed if I submit it right after the deadline?

    No. The GRFP Application Module will not accept applications after the deadline. NSF must receive your application by by 8 p.m. Eastern time on the specific deadline day for the Major Field of Study selected in your application.

    See the NSF GRFP Notice of Funding Opportunity for the application deadlines.

    Emailed and/or physically mailed applications will not be accepted.

  3. Where do I submit my application?

    All materials should be submitted through the GRFP Application Module.

  4. Can I edit my application after submitting?

    You may revise your application until the deadline, but can make no changes after the deadline passes.

  5. How do I update my application if I already submitted it?

    If the application submission period is still open for your Major Field of Study (that is, the deadline has not passed), complete the following steps in the GRFP Application Module: 

    1. Access the Welcome Applicants homepage.
    2. Select 'Withdraw Application Package' from the Application Package Optional Task List.
    3. Proceed to withdraw your application.
    4. Select 'Restore Application Package' from the Application Package Optional Task List.
    5. Proceed to restore your application.
    6. Select 'Prepare Application' from the Application Package Optional Task List.
    7. Make your updates to the application and submit it.

  6. How do I withdraw my application?

    If the application period is still open (before your Field of Study deadline), complete the following steps in the GRFP Application Module:

    1. Access the Welcome Applicants homepage.
    2. Select 'Withdraw Application Package' from the Application Package Optional Task List.
    3. Proceed to withdraw your application to remove it from review.

    Note: If you have not submitted your application, select 'Cancel Application Package' from the Application Package Optional Task List instead. You have the option to restore your application and resubmit if you change your mind and the application submission period is still open.

  7. Will my application be reviewed if I submit it right after the deadline?

    No. The GRFP Application Module will not accept applications after the deadline.

    NSF must receive your application by 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on the Major Field of Study specific deadline day.

    Emailed and/or physically mailed applications will not be accepted.

Troubleshooting

  1. Why is there a margin error for the PDF I am uploading? My margins are set to one inch.

    Some potential root causes may be:

    Remove page numbers: Be sure that the document has no text in the header or footer including page numbers.

    Review inserted images or shapes: Margins can be set to one inch, but a stray image or shape can violate the margin rule. Setting the margin rule to one inch would not automatically correct the images or shapes back within margins.

  2. Why do I receive a font error upon document upload when the font was set to an acceptable font type and size using "Select All"?

    Much depends on the particular word processor used because of how word processors export files to PDF.

    For Microsoft Office, "Select All" will not include inserted images, shapes, and numbered lists or bullets. Each object will have its own font and those would have to be updated to accepted fonts and sizes. Be mindful of images inserted into shapes, as each image and shape can have its own font type.

    In Microsoft Office Word, double-click an image to ensure it was not inserted as an object (e.g., PowerPoint slide). If another application opens, this means a non-graphical image was inserted and the object contains invalid metadata that will make the PDF upload fail. Re-insert an image by pasting it as an image.

  3. What should I consider if I include images in my statement files?

    If your image includes text (titles, labels, captions, etc.), that text should be part of the image and not editable. Failure to make all text part of the image could result in font type and font size errors.

  4. My statement files include equations and special symbols and characters. Will my statement be able to pass the compliance checks?

    Cambria Math font for equations and Symbol font for special characters will be supported in the file; however, we strongly recommend that equations and special characters and symbols be inserted as a non-editable image to bypass the compliance checking altogether. This will avoid font type and font size errors.

  5. What other known issues should I be aware of regarding unallowable fonts when exporting a file to PDF?

    OpenOffice

    • OpenOffice inserts an unallowable font for superscripts and subscripts.

    Google Docs

    • Google Docs may not properly export bulleted text and should not be used.

    LaTeX

    • Certain LaTeX-generated PDF elements are not yet supported.
    • PDFs containing formulas and equations with special LaTeX font types are not supported. Formulas and special characters that must be represented in other font types should be inserted in the file as a non-editable image. This will allow the compliance validation to bypass the font type/size checks in the image.

    Microsoft Office

    • Do not use 'Print as PDF' to create a PDF. Instead, use 'Export' and 'Create PDF.'
    • Microsoft Office for Macs: 'Save as PDF' functionality 'Best for Printing' may not be supported. Instead, select the 'Best for electronic distribution and accessibility (uses Microsoft online service)' option.
    • Older versions of Microsoft Word (2007 or earlier): May produce font errors.

  6. How can I determine the font types used in my PDF? I continue to receive an error message and know I am using an acceptable font type.

    1. Open the PDF.
    2. Right click on the document content.
    3. Select 'Document Properties' from the list.
    4. Select the 'Fonts' tab (third tab) at the top.
    5. Review the list of font types.

    Note: The acceptable font types are Arial (not Arial Narrow), Courier New, or Palatino Linotype in 10-point or larger font; Times New Roman or Computer Modern family, 11-point or larger font. Symbol or Cambria Math fonts are accepted for Greek letters or special characters.

  7. I am receiving an error message when I attempt to upload my personal or graduate research statement PDF. What should I do?

    If you see the following error message:

    • Your request could not be completed due to the following reasons:

      An issue with your file upload has been encountered. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please verify your file and try your upload again. If the issue persists, you may contact the NSF Service Desk.

    a. Check if there are blank pages within the PDF. If so, complete the following steps:

    • Export the PDF to Word.
    • Delete the blank page(s).
    • Re-save the Word document as a PDF.
    • Upload the PDF to NSF GRFP.

    b. If there are no blank pages, then complete the following steps:

    • Export the PDF to Word.
    • Re-save the Word document as a PDF.
    • Upload the PDF to NSF GRFP.

    If the issue persists, you may contact the NSF Service Desk.

After submission

  1. Where can I check my application status?

    You can view your application status in the GRFP Application Module.

  2. When will I hear back from NSF GRFP about whether I receive a fellowship offer?

    NSF GRFP typically notifies applicants in the spring.

  3. Can I update my application after the deadline?

    No, only materials submitted before the deadline are reviewed.

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