NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program

The Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is the National Science Foundation (NSF)’s oldest graduate fellowship program, established in 1952. It supports outstanding graduate students pursuing research-based master’s or doctoral degrees in STEM or STEM-related fields, ranging from engineering to physical sciences, life sciences, and social sciences as well as STEM education.

The NSF GRFP offers three years of support over a five-year fellowship period. Each year of support includes: 

• A $37,000 stipend to the Fellow.
• A $16,000 Cost of Education allowance, paid directly to to the graduate degree-granting institution of higher education (IHE) for each Fellow who uses the support in a fellowship year.

While the Fellowship is offered to individuals, funds are awarded to the IHE at which a Fellow is enrolled. The IHE is responsible for stipend disbursement to the Fellow and the Cost of Education allowance provides payment in lieu of tuition and fees to the institution, not the fellow.

Application Support 

• The Center for Writing and Oral Communication can help graduate students with writing a successful NSF GRFP application.
• UMD National Scholarship Office

Application Deadlines for 2026-2027 Academic Year

Questions? 

Please contact the NSF Help Desk at info@nsfgrfp.org