Overview

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited United States institutions.

The fellowship is competitive, and those planning to apply should devote a sincere effort to their application. The 2021 GRFP application will be available here . The first step to understanding the ins and outs of the application is reading the solicitation.

2022 GRFP Deadlines

All applications are due at 5:00 p.m. local time, as determined by the applicant’s mailing address.

GRFP Fellows Receive the Following

Award Information

• Three years of support
  • $34,000 annual stipend
  • $12,000 cost-of-education allowance to institution
• Supercomputer access

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship if you:

• Are a US citizen, US national or permanent resident alien; and
• Are a graduating senior, or have completed a B.A./B.S. degree, or are in the first year or the first semester of the second year in graduate school at the time of the application deadline (mid- November); and
• Are pursuing a research-based master’s or doctoral degree in the GRFP-supported disciplines, including: chemistry, computer and information science and engineering, engineering, geosciences, life sciences, mathematics, physics and anatomy, psychology, social sciences and STEM education.

Applicants who have completed more than twelve months of graduate study may be considered eligible if they have had an interruption in graduate study of at least two consecutive years prior to November 2022.  To be eligible, applicants must not have attended graduate school for two years prior to August 1, 2022.  A statement describing the extenuating circumstance is required in the application.

Application Process

NSF GRFP Proposals are evaluated on two merit review criteria: Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts.

Intellectual Merit

• Ability to plan and conduct research
• Excellence when working both independently and on a team
• Aptitude in interpreting and communicating research findings

Broader Impacts

Activities and projects that:

• Integrate research and education
• Communicate your methodology and findings to a diverse audience
• Encourage diversity and enable full participation
• Enhance global scientific and technical understanding
• Benefit society

Upcoming Fall sessions

What is the GRFP  (9/15)

What is the GRFP (9/16)

Writing the NSF GRFP “Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement session ( 9/22)

Writing the NSF GRFP “Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement session (9/23)

Timely topics-Writing Effective Letters for NSF GRFP Applicants (9/23) 

Developing a Research Plan Statement for NSF GRFP (9/29)

Developing a Research Plan Statement for NSF GRFP (9/30)

NSF Awardee panel (10/6 and 10/7, details forthcoming)

Additional Resources

UConn awardees

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

 

Contact

For more information about the NSF GRFP and resources available for UConn applicants, please contact Rowena Grainger (rowena.grainger@uconn.edu). For one on one advising appointments and review of application materials, please make an appointment via nexus. Please note, that drafts must be sent 24 hours prior to your advising appointment.