NSF GRFP: Graduate Research Fellowship Program

Eligibility

GRFP eligibility rules are specific and strictly enforced.

• Citizenship — must be a US citizen, US national, or US permanent resident at the time of application
• Degree status — must be in the first two years of a graduate program, or applying before starting a graduate program
• Application limit — maximum of 2 lifetime applications total. Students who applied as seniors may apply once more in their first or second year of graduate school
• Field of study — must be in an NSF-supported STEM field. Check the solicitation for the full list of eligible fields
• No prior master's — students who have completed a master's degree in a STEM field at the time of application are generally ineligible unless enrolled in a doctoral program and still within the first two years

Application Components

The GRFP application consists of two essays plus reference letters. There is no budget component since the award amount is fixed.

• Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement (3 pages) — describe your background, motivations, preparation for graduate study, and long-term career goals
• Graduate Research Plan Statement (2 pages) — describe a research plan for your graduate work. This does not have to be the exact project you end up doing
• Reference Letters (3 required) — from faculty or research supervisors who can speak to your research potential and academic preparation
• Transcripts — uploaded directly with the application

Review Criteria

GRFP applications are evaluated on two criteria: Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. Reviewers evaluate both essays against both criteria. Intellectual Merit encompasses the applicant's research preparation, the quality of the proposed research plan, and potential for future contributions to the field. Broader Impacts includes the applicant's potential to benefit society, broaden participation in STEM, and contribute to desired societal outcomes. Successful applications clearly address both criteria in both essays. The most common weakness is neglecting Broader Impacts in the research plan or failing to describe specific past activities beyond volunteering.