This page features tips, templates, and other resources to help you prepare a strong application package for the U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP).
NSF GRFP seeks to identify individuals with outstanding potential as future research leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Competitive NSF GRFP applicants demonstrate the ability to develop a strong research plan, succeed with their graduate study, and have broader impacts on society.
Application overview
Templates
Helpful tips
Major Fields of Study
Your application deadline determined based on the major field you select. Your major field also determines which panel will review your application.
If there isn't an exact match for your desired major field or subfield, choose the major field that best aligns with your discipline and the subfield that most closely corresponds to your desired subfield. Consult an academic advisor for guidance on the subfield that most closely matches your desired area of study.
Uploading your application
Your application deadline will be determined by the Major Field of Study you select on the 'Proposed Field of Study' section of your application.
If you designate your major field as "Chemistry - Chemistry of Life Processes," for example, you must submit your application by the Chemistry deadline.
Note that reference letters are due before the deadlines for applications. Reference letters are due October 16, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time.
Give yourself time to review your application materials and get feedback from others.
Don't wait until the afternoon of the deadline to start uploading required documents to the GRFP Application Module. If something goes wrong and you miss the 8:00 p.m. Eastern time deadline by even a few seconds, your application will be returned without review.
The GRFP Application Module's preview feature helps you ensure the documents you've uploaded are the ones you want to submit.
Make sure you have not uploaded a draft version, and double check that you uploaded each document correctly. Once an application has been submitted, it is not possible to change the uploaded documents.
Follow the formatting instructions regarding page limits, font type and size, margins, and line spacing.
Failure to follow the instructions will result in your documents not being accepted by the GRFP Application Module.
You can download a PDF file of the application on GRFP Application Module by selecting 'View/Print Application' under the Application Package Optional Task List.
Reference letters
Effective references can make an applicant much more competitive. The most effective reference letters speak to the applicant's potential for future achievement in graduate school and beyond.
See the Reference Writers page for more information.
Try not to select three people who will say the same thing; aim for references who can comment on different aspects of your qualifications for the fellowship.
For example, you might seek reference letters from your undergraduate advisor, a summer lab coordinator, your mentor, a supervisor from a K-12 outreach program, or an employer who can address your professional skills.
Remember that reference writers cannot be family members.
The GRFP Application Module allows you to list up to five reference writers; the three highest-priority reference letters that are submitted will be included in the application package for review.
Seeking four or five references gives you a fallback if one of your top three references is unable to submit a letter for some reason.
Ask for reference letters early, you will want to give your reference writers time to write compelling letters.
Statements
Keep in mind that NSF does not just seek to fund scientists and engineers; NSF seeks to fund future STEM leaders.
Use the statements to show leadership potential, self-starter capabilities, and the ability to work well with others (scientists, students, people in the community, etc.). Show passion, motivation for a STEM career, and initiative in your past research and other experiences.
An application that conveys a clear sense of who you are as a person, with a narrative that has energy and flow, will generally be better received than an application that is impersonal and flat.
Remember that NSF GRFP recognizes individuals based on their demonstrated potential for significant achievements in science and engineering. That is, the potential of individuals is evaluated, not just the proposed research.
Use hypotheses, figures, and references.
Instead of elaborate details on theory, focus on the rationale for your studies and the existing literature as it supports your proposed work. While reviewers will generally be knowledge experts in your general field, they probably will not be experts in your specific proposed research topic.
Weave together your personal story with your academic and career plans and past experiences to make a compelling case why NSF should offer you the fellowship.
NSF's decision will be based on your demonstrated potential for significant achievements in science and engineering.