NSF GRFP is open!

Posted on August 26, 2026

The National Science Foundation will fund ~1500 new graduate research fellowships (a decrease)

NSF 26-526: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
FY2027 Competition - Program Solicitation: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/grfp-nsf-graduate-research-fellowship-program/nsf26-526/solicitation

Reference letters due: 7 pm CT, October 16

Deadlines: 7 pm CT, October 19-23, 2026 (depending on field)

Synopsis of Program:

The purpose of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and strength of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. Since 1952, the program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students pursuing full-time research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. GRFP was established to recruit and support individuals who demonstrate the potential to make significant contributions in STEM. NSF encourages applications from all eligible candidates in the U.S.

Award Information:

Each Fellowship provides three years of support over a five-year Fellowship period. For each of the three years of support, NSF provides a $37,000 stipend and a $16,000 Cost of Education allowance provided to the institution of higher education (IHE) in lieu of all tuition and mandatory fees for each Fellow using the support in a Fellowship year. While the Fellowship is offered to the individual, the Fellowship funds are awarded to the IHE at which a Fellow is enrolled, and the IHE is responsible for disbursement of the stipend to the Fellow. The Fellowship is portable and can be transferred to a different IHE. Fellows can transfer to another institution after completion of the first Fellowship year.

Eligibility:

  1. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents ("green card" holders) by the application deadline, and if offered a fellowship, at the time of acceptance.
  2. Fellowships are awarded for graduate study leading to eligible research-based master's and doctoral degrees in the following science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) Major Fields of Study:
    • Chemistry
    • Computer and Information Sciences and Engineering
    • Engineering
    • Geosciences
    • Life Sciences
    • Materials Research
    • Mathematical Sciences
    • Physics & Astronomy
    • Psychology
    • Social Sciences
  3. Academic [must be]:
    1. current undergraduate seniors, bachelor's degree holders with no prior graduate degree enrollment, or
    2. current joint bachelor's-master's degree student in the final undergraduate or first graduate year of joint degree program, or
    3. current first-year graduate students in their first graduate degree program with less than one academic year completed according to the institution's academic calendar.
    4. Second-year graduate students are not eligible to apply.

UIC GRFP page: https://grad.uic.edu/funding-awards/other-funding/natl-internatl-opps-2/nsf-grfp-intro/

Modified on September 04, 2026