Applicants to the U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) must select a Major Field of Study and a subfield.
Selecting a Major Field of Study determines:
- The application deadline.
- The broad disciplinary expertise of the reviewers who will review the application.
- The discipline of the graduate program, if the fellowship is accepted.
The subfield category designates the specific expertise of the reviewers.
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What are the eligible fields of study?
Only the Major Fields of Study and subfields listed in the NSF GRFP Notice of Funding Opportunity are eligible for award. No other subfields are eligible.
What if I'm not sure which major field or subfield to select?
Select the Major Field of Study and subfield that is most closely aligned with your proposed graduate program of study and research plan.
Consult a faculty member, academic advisor, mentor, or other knowledgeable source for guidance on preparation of your research plans, selection of Major Field of Study, and identification of subfields to ensure they are consistent with those listed in the NSF GRFP Notice of Funding Opportunity.
In the first year of your fellowship, you must enroll in a graduate degree program consistent with the Major Field of Study proposed in your application.
What if my study is interdisciplinary?
NSF welcomes applications for interdisciplinary programs of study and research. However, while the GRFP Application Module allows you to select secondary and tertiary major fields of study for informational purposes, your application will only be reviewed based on the first Major Field of Study you select. The first Major Field of Study you select will also determine your application deadline.
Interdisciplinary research is defined as "a mode of research by teams or individuals that integrates information, data, techniques, tools, perspectives, concepts, and/or theories from two or more disciplines or bodies of specialized knowledge to advance fundamental understanding or to solve problems whose solutions are beyond the scope of a single discipline or area of research practice" (Committee on Facilitating Interdisciplinary Research, Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy, 2004. Facilitating interdisciplinary research. National Academies. Washington: National Academy Press, p. 2).
Where do I select my Major Field of Study?
You can select your major field in the Proposed Field of Study section of the NSF GRFP application.