NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

Applications are reviewed by disciplinary and interdisciplinary scientists and engineers and other professional graduate education experts. Reviewers are selected by Program Officers charged with oversight of the review process. Care is taken to ensure that reviewers have no conflicts of interest with the applicants. Applications are reviewed in broad areas of related disciplines based on the applicant’s selection of a Field of Study (see Fields of Study in Appendix). Selection of a Major Field of Study determines the application deadline and the broad disciplinary expertise of the reviewers. Applicants are advised to select the Major Field of Study and associated subfield in the GRFP Application Module (see Fields of Study and associated subfields in Appendix) most closely aligned with the proposed graduate program of study and research plan.

Each application will be reviewed independently in accordance with the NSF Merit Review Criteria using all available information in the completed application. In considering applications, reviewers are instructed to address the two Merit Review Criteria as approved by the National Science Board – Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. Applicants must include separate sections, under individual separate headings, on “Intellectual Merit” and “Broader Impacts” in each of their Personal and Research Plan statements in order to provide reviewers with the information necessary to evaluate the application with respect to both Criteria as detailed below. Both the Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts criteria are to be given full consideration during the review and decision-making processes; each criterion is necessary but neither, by itself, is sufficient. Therefore, applicants must fully address both criteria.

• Intellectual Merit: The Intellectual Merit criterion encompasses the potential to advance knowledge; and
• Broader Impacts: The Broader Impacts criterion encompasses the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes.

Factors reviewers will consider in assessing the potential Intellectual Merit of the application and the applicant’s potential to advance knowledge and understanding in one or more fields may include (but are not limited to):

The applicant’s ability to:

• Plan and conduct research
• Work independently
• Work as a part of a team
• Interpret and communicate research (e.g., through publications, or presentations)
• Take initiative
• Think creatively
• Solve problems
• Persist and overcome challenges
• The applicant’s demonstrated intellectual ability (as indicated by grades, coursework, awards, etc.)

Factors reviewers will consider in assessing the potential Broader Impacts of the application and the applicant’s potential to benefit society and achieve specific, desired societal outcomes may include (but are not limited to) the likelihood that the applicant’s activities will:

• Increase participation in STEM
• Improve STEM education in schools through outreach and mentoring
• Increase public scientific literacy and public engagement with STEM through community outreach
• Increase collaboration among academia, industry, and other types of organizations
• Improve education and educator development – at any level – in STEM
• Improve the well-being of individuals in society
• Develop a globally competitive STEM workforce
• Improve national security
• Increase the economic competitiveness of the U.S.
• Enhance infrastructure for research and education

• Application Review Criteria (2026)

Applications submitted in response to this program solicitation will be reviewed online by Panel Review.

The application evaluation involves the review and rating of applications by disciplinary and interdisciplinary scientists and engineers, and other professional graduate education experts.

Applicants are reviewed on their demonstrated potential to advance knowledge and to make significant research achievements and contributions to their fields throughout their careers. Reviewers are asked to assess applications using a comprehensive approach, giving balanced consideration to all components of the application. These include the educational and research record, leadership, outreach, service activities, and future plans. Individual competencies, experiences, and attributes such as creativity and initiative are also considered. The aim is to recruit and retain a strong cohort of early-career individuals with high potential for future achievements, contributions, and broader impacts in STEM.

The primary responsibilities of each reviewer are to evaluate eligible GRFP applications by applying the Merit Review Criteria described in Section VI.A, and document their assessment of the applications. Reviewers are instructed to review the applications comprehensively, applying the Merit Review Criteria and noting GRFP’s emphasis on demonstrated potential for significant research achievements in STEM. Using these assessments and other factors, NSF selects applicants for Fellowships or Honorable Mention in line with NSF’s mission and program goals.

• Application Review Criteria (2026)

Applications are submitted via GRFP Application Module on research.gov.

The maximum length of the Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement is three (3) pages (PDF). The maximum length of the Graduate Research Plan Statement is two (2) pages (PDF). These page limits include all references, citations, charts, figures, images, and lists of publications and presentations. Une one-inch margins, single spacing, and Arial 10 or Times New Roman 11. For mathematical formulas, equations, figures, tables, or diagram captions, <10-point fonts are acceptable; Symbol or Cambria Math fonts are accepted for Greek letters or special characters. Descriptive alternative text should be provided for all images, graphs, and charts, including sufficient color contrast for text and graphics, in machine readable/accessible electronic format (e.g., HTML) to ensure legibility and readability for individuals with visual impairments; Applicants must certify that the two statements (Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement, and Graduate Research Plan Statement) in the application are their own original work.

Transcripts:

1. Applicants must submit transcripts with their most recent academic status. Official unencrypted undergraduate academic transcripts are required. Graduate transcripts may be unofficial if the institution of higher education (IHE) does not provide official transcripts for first year, first academic term graduate students.
2. Prior to uploading, redact personally identifiable information: date of birth, Social Security Number, personal financial information, home addresses, home telephone numbers and personal email addresses.

Transcripts are required for all degree-granting programs listed. Transcripts may be included for all other institutions listed in the Education section. If the applicant started at the current institution in the fall of the application year and the institution does not provide unofficial or official transcripts prior to completion of the first term, the applicant may submit a class schedule/enrollment verification form in place of a transcript. At least one transcript must be included for the application to be accepted by the GRFP Application Module.

Reference Letters: A minimum of two reference letters must be received by the application deadline. Applications without two references will not be reviewed. Reference writers cannot be family members of the applicant. Applicants are required to provide the name and contact information for three (3) reference writers from non-family members. Up to five (5) potential reference letter writers can be provided. Pro tip: Include five in case one letter writer has an emergency or technical issues – life happens! Be prepared.

Below are two letter of recommendation advice documents: one for students and one for faculty members. 

Applicants should use the “Application Completion Status” feature in the GRFP Application Module to ensure all application materials, including reference letters, have been received by NSF before the deadlines. For technical support, call the NSF Help Desk at 1-800-381-153.

The Withdrawal option in the GRFP Application Module is available for applicants who wish to withdraw an application. Deadline to withdraw: November 15, 2026.

• Application Module
• Application Templates
• Applicant Resources
• NSF Components (2026)
• LOR Advice for Students
• UIC Enrollment Verification
• Information for Letter Writers
• LOR Advice for Faculty
• Grant-Writing Materials
• Alex Lang's Tips for the NSF GRFP
• NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPP G)
• Updates on NSF Priorities
• Helpful Site at the U. of Utah