National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) 2026

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) is a prestigious US fellowship run by the National Science Foundation. It is designed to support outstanding students at the beginning of research-based graduate study in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines supported by NSF.

The fellowship is primarily for students pursuing research-based master's or doctoral study at accredited institutions in the United States. GRFP offers generous support that typically includes a stipend and a cost-of-education allowance paid to the graduate institution for tuition and required fees. The programme is not tied to a single university, so fellows may use it at eligible US institutions offering appropriate graduate programmes.

Applicants are generally US citizens, US nationals, or permanent residents who intend to enroll in or are at an early stage of an eligible graduate programme. Selection is competitive and is based on NSF's review criteria, especially intellectual merit and broader impacts. Fields usually span a wide range of NSF-supported STEM and STEM education areas, while some professional practice degrees and non-NSF fields are not supported.

Students apply directly through the NSF GRFP application system. A typical application includes academic transcripts, personal and research statements, and reference letters. Applicants should review the current solicitation carefully to confirm field eligibility, degree status rules, and annual deadlines before applying.