(GRFP) View PDF
PROGRAM SOLICITATION
NSF 21-602
REPLACES DOCUMENT(S):
NSF 20-587
National Science Foundation
Directorate for Biological Sciences
Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering
Directorate for Education and Human Resources
Division of Graduate Education
Directorate for Engineering
Directorate for Geosciences
Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences
Office of Integrative Activities
Office of International Science and Engineering
Application Deadline(s) (received by 5 p.m. local time of applicant’s mailing address):
October 18, 2021
Life Sciences
October 19, 2021
Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Materials Research, Psychology, Social Sciences, STEM Education and Learning
October 21, 2021
Engineering
October 22, 2021
Chemistry, Geosciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND REVISION NOTES
1. This solicitation covers the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 competition.
2. Applications must be submitted in Research.gov through the GRFP Application Module (https://www.research.gov/grfp/Login.do).
3. Applications are due at 5:00 p.m. local time of the applicant's mailing address.
4. In FY2022, NSF will continue to fund outstanding Graduate Research Fellowships in all areas of science and engineering supported by NSF and
continue to emphasize high priority research areas in alignment with NSF goals and priorities (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wpcontent/
uploads/2021/04/FY2022-Discretionary-Request.pdf). Applications are encouraged in all disciplines supported by NSF.
5. Portions of the eligibility criteria have been rewritten for clarity.
6. Reference letters are due October 29 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
7. Applicants and reference letter writers requiring accessibility accommodation are asked to notify the GRF Operations Center at least four weeks before
the deadline to coordinate assistance with NSF in submitting the application or reference letter.
SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
General Information
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Program Title:
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
Synopsis of Program:
The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific
and engineering workforce of the United States. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing fulltime
research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education. The
GRFP provides three years of support over a five-year fellowship period for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their
potential for significant research achievements in STEM or STEM education. NSF actively encourages women, persons who are members of
groups historically underrepresented in STEM, persons with disabilities, veterans, and undergraduate seniors to apply.
Cognizant Program Officer(s):
Please note that the following information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of contact.
Contact: GRF Operations Center,
telephone:
(866) 673-4737,
email: info@nsfgrfp.org
Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):
47.041
--- Engineering
47.049
--- Mathematical and Physical Sciences
47.050
--- Geosciences
47.070
--- Computer and Information Science and Engineering
47.074
--- Biological Sciences
47.075
--- Social Behavioral and Economic Sciences
47.076
--- Education and Human Resources
47.079
--- Office of International Science and Engineering
47.083
--- Office of Integrative Activities (OIA)
Award Information
Anticipated Type of Award:
Fellowship
Estimated Number of Awards:
2,500
The NSF expects to award 2,500 Graduate Research Fellowships per fiscal year under this program solicitation pending availability of funds.
Anticipated Funding Amount:
$138,000
Per award (Fellowship), pending the availability of funds.
Each Fellowship provides three years of support over a five-year fellowship period. For each of the three years of support, NSF provides a $34,000 stipend and
$12,000 cost of education allowance to the graduate degree-granting institution of higher education for each Fellow who uses the support in a fellowship year.
The Fellowship award is made to the institution of higher education at which a Fellow is enrolled and the institution is responsible for disbursement of the stipend
to the Fellow.
Eligibility Information
Organization Limit:
Fellowship applications must be submitted by the prospective Fellow. Applicants must use the GRFP application module in Research.gov
(https://www.research.gov/grfp/Login.do) to submit the application. Confirmation of acceptance in a graduate degree program in STEM or STEM education is
required at the time of Fellowship acceptance, no later than the deadline indicated in the fellowship offer letter, of the year the Fellowship is accepted.
Prospective Fellows must enroll in a non-profit university, college, or institution of higher education accredited in, and having a campus located in, the United
States, its territories or possessions, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico that offers advanced degrees in STEM and STEM education no later than fall of the
year the Fellowship is accepted. All Fellows from the date of Fellowship Start through Completion or Termination of the Fellowship must be enrolled in a
graduate degree-granting institution of higher education accredited in, and having a campus located in, the United States its territories or possessions, or the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Applicant Eligibility:
See the Detailed Eligibility Requirements in Section IV for full information. Eligibility is based on the applicant's status at
the application deadline.
Applicants must self-certify that they are eligible to receive the Fellowship. To be eligible, an applicant must meet
all of the following eligibility criteria at the application deadline:
Be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
Intend to enroll or be enrolled full-time in a research-based master's or doctoral degree program in an eligible Field
of Study in STEM or STEM education (See Appendix and Section IV.3 for eligible Fields of Study)
Have never previously accepted a Graduate Research Fellowship
If previously offered a Graduate Research Fellowship, have declined by the acceptance deadline
Have never previously applied to GRFP while enrolled in a graduate degree program
Have never earned a doctoral or terminal degree in any field
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Have never earned a master's or professional degree (see joint bachelor's-master's degree information below) in
any field, or completed more than one academic year in a graduate degree-granting program, unless (i) returning
to graduate study after an interruption of two (2) or more consecutive years immediately preceding the
application deadline, and; (ii) are not enrolled in a graduate degree program at the application deadline
Not be a current NSF employee
Number of Times An Individual May Apply
Undergraduate seniors and bachelor's degree holders who have never enrolled in a graduate degree program
have no restrictions on the number of times they can apply before enrolling in a degree-granting graduate program.
Graduate students enrolled in a degree-granting graduate program are limited to only one application to the GRFP,
submitted in the first year or beginning of the second year of their degree program.
Individuals applying while enrolled in a joint bachelor's-master's degree program are considered graduate students
who: i) must have completed three (3) years in the joint program, and; ii) are limited to one application to GRFP;
they will not be eligible to apply again as doctoral students.
Individuals holding joint bachelor's-master's degrees, currently enrolled as first-year doctoral students, who have
not previously applied as graduate students and enrolled in the doctoral program the semester following award of
the joint degree, may only apply in the first year of the doctoral program.
Individuals holding joint bachelor's-master's degrees who did not progress directly to a doctoral program the
semester following award of the joint degree must apply as returning graduate students (see below).
Applications withdrawn by November 15 of the application year do not count toward the one-time graduate
application limit. Applications withdrawn after November 15 count toward this one-time limit.
Applications not reviewed by NSF do not count toward the one-time graduate application limit.
There is a limited opportunity for returning graduate students to apply for a graduate research fellowship.
Individuals who have (i) completed more than one academic year in a degree-granting program, (ii) earned a
previous master's degree of any kind (including bachelor's-master's degree), or (iii) earned a professional degree
are eligible only if:
they have had a continuous interruption in graduate study of at least two consecutive years immediately
prior to the application deadline; and
are not enrolled in a degree-granting graduate program at the application deadline.
Limit on Number of Applications per Applicant: 1
An eligible applicant may submit only one application per annual competition.
Application Preparation and Submission Instructions
A. Application Preparation Instructions
Letters of Intent: Not applicable
Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not applicable
Application Instructions: This solicitation contains information that deviates from the standard NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures
Guide (PAPPG) proposal preparation guidelines. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
B. Budgetary Information
Cost Sharing Requirements:
Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.
Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:
No indirect costs are allowed.
Other Budgetary Limitations:
Other budgetary limitations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
C. Due Dates
Application Deadline(s) (received by 5 p.m. local time of applicant’s mailing address):
October 18, 2021
Life Sciences
October 19, 2021
Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Materials Research, Psychology, Social Sciences, STEM Education and
Learning
October 21, 2021
Engineering
October 22, 2021
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Chemistry, Geosciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy
Application Review Information Criteria
Merit Review Criteria:
National Science Board approved Merit Review Criteria (Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts) apply. Additional Solicitation-Specific Review Criteria also apply
(see Section VI.A below).
Award Administration Information
Award Conditions:
NSF GRFP awards are made to the institution of higher education at which a Fellow is or will be enrolled. The awardee institution is responsible for financial
management of the award and disbursement of Fellowship funds to the individual Fellow. The institution will administer the awards, including any amendments,
in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and provisions (and any subsequent amendments) contained in the document NSF Graduate Research
Fellowship Program Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating Officials. All Fellowships are subject to the provisions (and any subsequent
amendments) contained in the document NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating Officials.
Reporting Requirements:
See reporting requirements in full text of solicitation and the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating
Officials. Fellows are required to submit annual activity reports and to declare fellowship status by the deadline specified in the notification sent by email each
year. Additional reporting requirements are presented in Section VII.C of this solicitation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Summary of Program Requirements
I. Introduction
II. Program Description
III. Award Information
IV. Eligibility Information
V. Application Preparation and Submission Instructions
A. Application Preparation Instructions
B. Budgetary Information
C. Due Dates
D. Application Submission Requirements
VI. Application Review Information
A. Merit Review Principles and Criteria
B. Application Review and Selection Process
VII. Award Administration Information
A. Notification of the Award
B. Award Conditions
C. Reporting Requirements
VIII. Agency Contacts
IX. Other Information
X. Appendix
I. INTRODUCTION
The Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is a National Science Foundation-wide program that provides Fellowships to individuals selected early in
their graduate careers based on their demonstrated potential for significant research achievements in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM)
or in STEM education. Three years of support over a five-year period are provided for graduate study that leads to a research-based master's or doctoral degree
in STEM or STEM education (see eligible Fields of Study in Appendix).
The program goals are: 1) to select, recognize, and financially support early-career individuals with the demonstrated potential to be high achieving scientists
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and engineers, and 2) to broaden participation in science and engineering of women, persons who are members of groups historically underrepresented in
STEM, persons with disabilities, and veterans. NSF actively encourages women, persons who are members of groups historically underrepresented in STEM,
persons with disabilities, veterans, and undergraduate seniors to apply. GRFP is a critical program in NSF's overall strategy to develop the globally-engaged
workforce necessary to ensure the Nation's leadership in advancing science and engineering research and innovation. The ranks of NSF Fellows include
numerous individuals who have made transformative breakthrough discoveries in science and engineering, become leaders in their chosen careers, and been
honored as Nobel laureates.
II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) awards Fellowships for graduate study leading to research-based master's and doctoral degrees in STEM
or in STEM education. GRFP supports individuals proposing a comprehensive plan for graduate education that takes individual interests and competencies into
consideration. The plan describes the academic achievements, attributes, and experiences that illustrate the applicant's demonstrated potential for significant
research achievements. The applicant must provide a detailed profile of their relevant education, research experience, and plans for graduate education that
demonstrates this potential.
Prospective applicants are advised that submission of an application implies their intent to pursue graduate study in a research-based program in STEM or
STEM education at an accredited, non-profit institution of higher education having a campus located in the United States, its territories or possessions, or the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. All applicants are expected to either have adequate preparation to enroll in a research-based master's or doctoral program, or
be enrolled in such a program by fall of the year the Fellowship is accepted. From the date of the Fellowship Start through Completion or Termination of the
Fellowship, applicants accepting the award (Fellows) must be enrolled in an accredited graduate degree-granting institution of higher education having a
campus located in the United States, its territories or possessions, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
In FY2022, NSF will continue to fund outstanding Graduate Research Fellowships in all areas of science and engineering supported by NSF and continue to
emphasize high priority research areas in alignment with NSF goals and priorities (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/FY2022-
Discretionary-Request.pdf). Applications are encouraged in all disciplines supported by NSF.
III. AWARD INFORMATION
The NSF expects to award 2,500 Graduate Research Fellowships per fiscal year under this program solicitation pending availability of funds.
Fellowship funding will be for a maximum of three years of financial support (in 12-month allocations, starting in summer or fall) usable over a five-year
fellowship period. The anticipated announcement date for the Fellowship awards is early April each year.
The institution at which a Fellow is enrolled is the official NSF awardee institution and receives up to a $46,000 award per Fellow who uses the support in a
fellowship year. The awardee institution is responsible for disbursement of fellowship funds to the Fellow. The Graduate Research Fellowship stipend is $34,000
for a 12-month tenure period, prorated in whole month increments of $2,833. The cost-of-education allowance provides payment in lieu of tuition and mandatory
fees to the institution of $12,000 per year of fellowship support.
During receipt of the fellowship support, the institution is required to exempt Fellows from paying tuition and fees normally charged to students of similar
academic standing, unless such charges are optional or are refundable (i.e., the institution is responsible for tuition and required fees in excess of the cost-ofeducation
allowance). Acceptance of fellowship funds by the awardee institution indicates acceptance of and adherence to these and other terms and conditions
of the NSF GRFP award. Refer to NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating Officials for restrictions on
the use of the cost-of-education allowance.
GRFP awards are eligible for supplemental funding as described in Chapter VI of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 22-1).
Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities
to work on NSF-supported projects as described in Chapter II.E of the PAPPG. Fellows with disabilities may apply for assistance after consulting the instructions
in the document NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating Officials.
The NSF Career-Life Balance Initiative (Dear Colleague Letter NSF 21-021) offers limited paid and unpaid leave options for Fellows facing dependent-care
issues (childbirth/adoption and elder care).
Honorable Mention
The NSF accords Honorable Mention to meritorious applicants who do not receive Fellowship offers. This is considered a significant national academic
achievement.
IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
Organization Limit:
Fellowship applications must be submitted by the prospective Fellow. Applicants must use the GRFP application module in Research.gov
(https://www.research.gov/grfp/Login.do) to submit the application. Confirmation of acceptance in a graduate degree program in STEM or STEM education is
required at the time of Fellowship acceptance, no later than the deadline indicated in the fellowship offer letter, of the year the Fellowship is accepted.
Prospective Fellows must enroll in a non-profit university, college, or institution of higher education accredited in, and having a campus located in, the United
States, its territories or possessions, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico that offers advanced degrees in STEM and STEM education no later than fall of the
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year the Fellowship is accepted. All Fellows from the date of Fellowship Start through Completion or Termination of the Fellowship must be enrolled in a
graduate degree-granting institution of higher education accredited in, and having a campus located in, the United States its territories or possessions, or the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Applicant Eligibility:
See the Detailed Eligibility Requirements in Section IV for full information. Eligibility is based on the applicant's status at
the application deadline.
Applicants must self-certify that they are eligible to receive the Fellowship. To be eligible, an applicant must meet
all of the following eligibility criteria at the application deadline:
Be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
Intend to enroll or be enrolled full-time in a research-based master's or doctoral degree program in an eligible Field
of Study in STEM or STEM education (See Appendix and Section IV.3 for eligible Fields of Study)
Have never previously accepted a Graduate Research Fellowship
If previously offered a Graduate Research Fellowship, have declined by the acceptance deadline
Have never previously applied to GRFP while enrolled in a graduate degree program
Have never earned a doctoral or terminal degree in any field
Have never earned a master's or professional degree (see joint bachelor's-master's degree information below) in
any field, or completed more than one academic year in a graduate degree-granting program, unless (i) returning
to graduate study after an interruption of two (2) or more consecutive years immediately preceding the
application deadline, and; (ii) are not enrolled in a graduate degree program at the application deadline
Not be a current NSF employee
Number of Times An Individual May Apply
Undergraduate seniors and bachelor's degree holders who have never enrolled in a graduate degree program
have no restrictions on the number of times they can apply before enrolling in a degree-granting graduate program.
Graduate students enrolled in a degree-granting graduate program are limited to only one application to the GRFP,
submitted in the first year or beginning of the second year of their degree program.
Individuals applying while enrolled in a joint bachelor's-master's degree program are considered graduate students
who: i) must have completed three (3) years in the joint program, and; ii) are limited to one application to GRFP;
they will not be eligible to apply again as doctoral students.
Individuals holding joint bachelor's-master's degrees, currently enrolled as first-year doctoral students, who have
not previously applied as graduate students and enrolled in the doctoral program the semester following award of
the joint degree, may only apply in the first year of the doctoral program.
Individuals holding joint bachelor's-master's degrees who did not progress directly to a doctoral program the
semester following award of the joint degree must apply as returning graduate students (see below).
Applications withdrawn by November 15 of the application year do not count toward the one-time graduate
application limit. Applications withdrawn after November 15 count toward this one-time limit.
Applications not reviewed by NSF do not count toward the one-time graduate application limit.
There is a limited opportunity for returning graduate students to apply for a graduate research fellowship.
Individuals who have (i) completed more than one academic year in a degree-granting program, (ii) earned a
previous master's degree of any kind (including bachelor's-master's degree), or (iii) earned a professional degree
are eligible only if:
they have had a continuous interruption in graduate study of at least two consecutive years immediately
prior to the application deadline; and
are not enrolled in a degree-granting graduate program at the application deadline.
Limit on Number of Applications per Applicant: 1
An eligible applicant may submit only one application per annual competition.
Additional Eligibility Info:
Eligibility is based on the applicant's status at the application deadline.
Detailed Eligibility Requirements:
Described in detail below are the eligibility requirements for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program: (1) citizenship, (2) degree
requirements, and (3) field of study, degree programs, and proposed research. Applicants are strongly advised to read the entire program
solicitation carefully to ensure that they understand all the eligibility requirements. Applicants must self-certify that they meet all eligibility
criteria.
1. Citizenship
Applicants must be United States citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States by the application deadline.
The term "national" designates a native resident of a commonwealth or territory of the United States. It does not refer to a citizen of
another country who has applied for United States citizenship and who has not received U.S. citizenship by the application deadline.
2. Degree Requirements
Applicants are eligible to apply: 1) as undergraduates or bachelor's degree holders who have never enrolled in a degreegranting
graduate program, and who will be prepared to attend graduate school in fall of the award year; or 2) as graduate
students who have not completed more than one academic year of a graduate program in an eligible field of study (see
Appendix).
Below are detailed guidelines to determine eligibility:
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a. Applicants not currently enrolled in a graduate degree program:
With no prior graduate degree program enrollment
Undergraduate students on track to receive a bachelor's degree by the fall of the year following the application
(e.g., senior or final year of bachelor's degree)
Bachelor's degree holders never enrolled in a graduate degree program can apply an unlimited number of times
prior to enrolling in a graduate degree program. They must be prepared to enroll in a full-time graduate degree
program by fall of the year they are offered a Graduate Research Fellowship.
With prior enrollment in a graduate degree program
Applicants must not have completed more than one academic year of graduate study as indicated in the
academic transcript issued by the Registrar of the universities attended as of the application deadline (see
exception below).
Applicants re-entering graduate study: applicants who have completed more than one academic year of
graduate study or earned a previous master's or professional degree are eligible only if they have had an
interruption in graduate study of at least two consecutive years immediately prior to the application
deadline, and are not enrolled in a graduate program at the deadline. Applicants must not have engaged in
any graduate coursework during the interruption. Applicants should address the reasons for the interruption in
graduate study in the Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement.
b. Applicants pursuing a master's degree simultaneously with a bachelor's degree (joint bachelor's-master's degree program):
Individuals applying while enrolled in a joint bachelor's-master's degree program are considered graduate students,
who: 1) must have completed three years in the joint program, and; ii) are limited to one application to GRFP; they
will not be eligible to apply again as doctoral students.
Individuals holding joint bachelor's-master's degrees, currently enrolled as first-year doctoral students, who have
not previously applied as graduate students and enrolled in the doctoral program the semester following award of
the joint degree, may only apply in the first year of the doctoral program.
Individuals holding joint bachelor's-master's degrees who did not progress directly to a doctoral program the
semester following award of the joint degree must apply as returning graduate students (see above).
c. Applicants currently enrolled in a graduate degree program:
Applicants must not have completed more than one academic year of graduate study as indicated in the
academic transcript issued by the Registrar of the universities attended, as of the application deadline.
Participation in pre-graduate summer activities (e.g., bridge programs) prior to graduate status as indicated in
the academic transcript issued by the Registrar before the start of the fall graduate program is not included in
this total.
Graduate coursework taken without being enrolled in a graduate degree-granting program is not counted in this
limit.
3. Field of Study, Degree Programs, and Proposed Research
Fellowships are awarded for graduate study leading to research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology,
engineering or mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education, in eligible Fields of Study listed in the Appendix. If awarded, Fellows must
enroll in a graduate degree program consistent with the Major Field of Study proposed in their application.
Only research-based master's and doctoral degrees in STEM or STEM education are eligible for GRFP support. Professional degree
programs and graduate programs that are primarily course-based with no thesis are ineligible for GRFP support.
Within eligible fields of study, there are ineligible areas of study and ineligible areas of proposed research. See below for ineligible
areas of study and proposed research.
Applications determined to be ineligible will not be reviewed.
a. Ineligible degree programs
Individuals are not eligible to apply if they will be enrolled in a practice-oriented professional degree program such as
medical, dental, law, and public health degrees at any time during the fellowship. Ineligible degree programs include, but
are not limited to, MBA, MPH, MSW, JD, MD, DVM and DDS. Joint or combined professional degree-science programs
(e.g., MD/PhD or JD/PhD) and dual professional degree-science programs are also not eligible. Individuals enrolled in a
graduate degree program while on a leave of absence from a professional degree program or professional degree-graduate
degree joint program are not eligible.
b. Ineligible areas of study
Individuals are not eligible to apply if they will be enrolled in graduate study focused on clinical practice, counseling, social
work, patient-oriented research, epidemiological and medical behavioral studies, outcomes research, and health services
research. Ineligible study includes pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic, and behavioral interventions for disease or disorder
prevention, prophylaxis, diagnosis, therapy, or treatment. Research to provide evidence leading to a scientific basis for
consideration of a change in health policy or standard of care is not eligible. Graduate study focused on community, public,
or global health, or other population-based research including medical intervention trials is also not eligible.
c. Ineligible proposed research
Individuals are not eligible to apply if they will conduct research for which the goals are directly human disease- or healthrelated,
including the etiology, diagnosis, and/or treatment of physical or mental disease, disorder, abnormality, or
malfunction. Research activities using animal models of disease, for developing or testing of drugs or other procedures for
treatment of disease or disorder are not eligible. Research focused on basic questions in plant pathology are eligible,
however, applied studies focused on maximizing production in agricultural plants or impacts on food safety, are not eligible.
d. Limited exceptions to ineligible proposed research
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Certain areas of bioengineering research directed at medical use are eligible. These include research projects in
bioengineering to aid persons with disabilities, or to diagnose or treat human disease or disorder, provided they apply
engineering principles to problems in medicine while primarily advancing engineering knowledge. Applicants planning to
study and conduct research in these areas of bioengineering should select biomedical engineering as the field of study.
Certain areas of materials research directed at development of materials for use in biological or biomedical systems are
eligible, provided they are focused on furthering fundamental materials research.
The Graduate Research Fellowship Operations Center is responsible for responding to questions about the
program. For questions concerning eligibility and fields of study, contact the Graduate Research Fellowship
Operations Center, (866) 673-4737, international (202) 331-3542, or info@nsfgrfp.org.
V. APPLICATION PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
A. Application Preparation Instructions
Fellowship applications must be submitted online using the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Application Module at
https://www.research.gov/grfp/Login.do according to the deadline corresponding with the Field of Study selected in the application.
Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. local time as determined by the applicant’s mailing address provided in the application. Applications received after
the Field of Study deadline will not be reviewed.
All reference letters must be submitted online by the reference writers through the GRFP Application Module (https://www.research.gov/grfp/Login.do) and must
be received by the reference letter deadline (see Application Preparation and Submission Instructions/C. Due Dates of this Solicitation), of 5:00 p.m. Eastern
Time (ET). Applicants are required to provide the name and contact information for three (3) reference writers. Up to five (5) potential reference letter
writers can be provided. Two reference letters (from non-family members) must be received by the reference letter deadline applications to be
reviewed. If fewer than two reference letters (one or none) are received by the reference letter deadline, the application will not be reviewed.
Applicants must submit the following information through the GRFP Application Module: Personal Information; Education, Work and Other Experience;
Transcript PDFs; Proposed Field(s) of Study; Proposed Graduate Study and Graduate School Information; the names and email addresses of at least three
reference letter writers; Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement PDF; and Graduate Research Plan Statement PDF.
Only the information required in the GRFP Application Module will be reviewed. No additional items or information will be accepted or reviewed. Do not provide
links to web pages within the application, except as part of citations in the References Cited section. Images must be included in the page limits. Review of the
application and reference letters is based solely on materials received by the application and reference letter deadlines. No materials will be accepted via
email.
Applicants must follow the instructions in the GRFP Application Module for completing each section of the application. The statements must be written using the
following guidelines:
standard 8.5" x 11" page size
11 point or higher font, except text that is part of an image
Times New Roman font for all text, Cambria Math font for equations, Symbol font for non-alphabetic characters (it is recommended that equations and
symbols be inserted as an image)
1" margins on all sides, no text inside 1" margins (no header, footer, name, or page number)
No less than single-spacing (approximately 6 lines per inch)
Do not use line spacing options such as “exactly 11 point,” that are less than single spaced
PDF file format only
Compliance with these guidelines will be automatically checked by the GRFP Application Module. Documents that are not compliant will not be accepted by the
GRFP Application Module. Applicants are strongly encouraged to proofread and upload their documents early to ensure they are format-compliant and that
non-compliant documents do not delay upload of the complete application for receipt by the deadline. Applications that are not compliant with these format
requirements will not be reviewed.
The maximum length of the Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement is three (3) pages (PDF). The maximum length of the Graduate
Research Plan Statement is two (2) pages (PDF). These page limits include all references, citations, charts, figures, images, and lists of publications and
presentations. Applicants must certify that the two statements (Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement, and Graduate Research Plan
Statement) in the application are their own original work. As explained in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG): “NSF expects
strict adherence to the rules of proper scholarship and attribution. The responsibility for proper scholarship and attribution rests with the authors of a proposal; all
parts of the proposal should be prepared with equal care for this concern. Authors other than the PI (or any co-PI) should be named and acknowledged. Serious
failure to adhere to such standards can result in findings of research misconduct. NSF policies and rules on research misconduct are discussed in the PAPPG,
as well as 45 CFR Part 689."
Both statements must address NSF’s review criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts (described in detail in Section VI). Intellectual Merit and Broader
Impacts must be addressed individually under separate headings in both Personal and Research Plan statements to provide reviewers with the
information necessary to evaluate the application with respect to both Criteria. Applications in which Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts are not
addressed separately under separate headings will not be reviewed.
In the application, applicants must list their undergraduate institution, and all graduate institutions attended with a start date prior to the fall term in which the
application is submitted. Transcripts are required for all degree-granting programs listed. Transcripts may be included for all other institutions listed in the
Education section. If the applicant started at the current institution in the fall of the application year and the institution does not provide unofficial or official
transcripts prior to completion of the first term, the applicant may submit a class schedule/enrollment verification form in place of a transcript. At least one
transcript must be included for the application to be accepted by the GRFP Application Module.
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Transcripts must be uploaded through the GRFP Application Module by the Field of Study application deadline. Applicants should redact personally-identifiable
information (date of birth, individual Social Security Numbers, personal financial information, home addresses, home telephone numbers and personal email
addresses) from the transcripts before uploading. Transcripts must be uploaded as a PDF to be accepted by the GRFP Application Module. Transcripts must not
be encrypted; the GRFP Application Module does not accept encrypted or password-protected transcripts.
Applicants who earned master’s degrees in joint bachelor's-master’s degree programs should submit transcripts that clearly document the joint program. If the
transcript does not document the joint program, applicants must upload a letter from the registrar of the institution certifying enrollment in a joint program,
appended to the transcript for that institution. Failure to provide clear documentation of a joint program may result in an application being returned without
review.
Failure to comply fully with the above requirements will result in the application not being reviewed.
Applications that are incomplete due to missing required transcripts and/or reference letters (fewer than two letters received), or that do not have
"received" status in the Application Module on the application deadline for the selected Field of Study) will not be reviewed. Applicants are advised
to submit applications early to avoid unanticipated delays on the deadline dates.
Reference Letters
Applicants are required to provide the name and contact information for three (3) reference writers. Up to five (5) potential reference letter writers can be
provided. Two reference letters from non-family members must be received by the reference letter deadline for an application to be reviewed. If fewer
than two reference letters (one or none) are received by the reference letter deadline, the application will not be reviewed.
All reference letters must be received in the GRFP Application Module by 5:00 p.m. ET (Eastern Time) on the letter submission deadline date (see the deadline
posted in GRFP Application Module and in Application Preparation and Submission Instructions/C. Due Dates of this Solicitation). No exceptions to the
reference letter submission deadline will be granted. Each letter is limited to two (2) pages (PDF). The GRFP Application Module allows applicants to request up
to five (5) reference letters and to rank those reference letters in order of preference for review. If more than three reference letters are received, the top three
letters according to ranked preference will be considered for the application. Reference writers will be notified by an email of the request to submit a letter of
reference on behalf of an applicant. Reference writers will not be notified of the ranked preference for review provided by the applicant.
To avoid disqualifying an application, reference writers should upload the letter well in advance of the 5:00 p.m. ET deadline. No letters will be
accepted via email. Letter writers will receive a confirmation email after successful upload via the GRFP Application Module.
For technical assistance with letter upload: NSF Help Desk: rgov@nsf.gov; 1-800-381-1532
Applicants must enter an email address for each reference writer into the GRFP Application Module. An exact email address is crucial to matching the reference
writer and the applicant in the GRFP Application Module. Applicants should ask reference writers well in advance of the reference writer deadline, and it is
recommended they provide copies of their application materials to the writers.
Applicant-nominated reference writers must upload their letters through the GRFP Application Module. Reference letter requirements include:
Institutional (or professional) letterhead, if available
Signed, including the name, professional title of the reference writer, department, and institution
Two (2) page limit (PDF file format)
Standard 8.5" x 11" page size
11-point or higher Times New Roman font and 1" margins on all sides
Single spaced using normal (100%) single-line spacing
The reference letter should address the NSF Merit Review Criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts (described in detail below). It should include details
explaining the nature of the relationship to the applicant (including research advisor role), comments on the applicant's potential for contributing to a globallyengaged
United States science and engineering workforce, statements about the applicant's academic potential and prior research experiences, statements
about the applicant's proposed research, and any other information to aid review panels in evaluating the application according to the NSF Merit Review Criteria.
Application Completion Status
Applicants should use the "Application Completion Status" feature in the GRFP Application Module to ensure all application materials, including reference
letters, have been received by NSF before the deadlines. For technical support, call the NSF Help Desk at 1-800-381-1532 or e-mail rgov@nsf.gov.
Interdisciplinary Applications
NSF welcomes applications for interdisciplinary programs of study and research; however, data on interdisciplinary study is collected for informational purposes
only. Interdisciplinary research is defined as "a mode of research by teams or individuals that integrates information, data, techniques, tools, perspectives,
concepts, and/or theories from two or more disciplines or bodies of specialized knowledge to advance fundamental understanding or to solve problems whose
solutions are beyond the scope of a single discipline or area of research practice" (Committee on Facilitating Interdisciplinary Research, Committee on Science,
Engineering, and Public Policy, 2004. Facilitating interdisciplinary research. National Academies. Washington: National Academy Press, p. 2). Applications
must be received by the deadline for the first Major Field of Study designated in the application. Applications will be reviewed by experts in the first
Major Field of Study listed. If awarded, Fellows will be required to enroll in a degree program consistent with the Major Field of Study in which the
application was funded.
Withdrawal of a GRFP application
To withdraw a submitted application, the applicant must withdraw their application using the Withdrawal option in the GRFP Application Module.
Applications withdrawn by November 15 of the application year do not count toward the one-time graduate application limit. Applications withdrawn
after November 15 count toward this limit.
B. Budgetary Information
Cost Sharing:
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Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.
Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:
No indirect costs are allowed.
Other Budgetary Limitations:
NSF awards $46,000 each year to the GRFP institution to cover the Fellow stipend and cost-of-education allowance for each NSF Graduate Research Fellow
"on tenure" at the institution.
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Fellowship stipend is $34,000 for a 12-month tenure period, prorated in monthly increments of $2,833. The
institutional cost-of-education allowance is $12,000 per tenure year per Fellow.
C. Due Dates
Application Deadline(s) (received by 5 p.m. local time of applicant’s mailing address):
October 18, 2021
Life Sciences
October 19, 2021
Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Materials Research, Psychology, Social Sciences, STEM Education and
Learning
October 21, 2021
Engineering
October 22, 2021
Chemistry, Geosciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy
D. Application Submission Requirements
Applicants are required to prepare and submit all applications for this program solicitation through the GRFP Application Module. Detailed instructions for
application preparation and submission are available at: https://www.research.gov/grfp/Login.do. For user support, call the NSF Help Desk at 1-800-381-1532 or
e-mail rgov@nsf.gov. The NSF Help Desk answers general technical questions related to the use of the system. Specific questions related to this program
solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this solicitation.
VI. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION
A. Merit Review Principles and Criteria
Applications are reviewed by disciplinary and interdisciplinary scientists and engineers and other professional graduate education experts. Reviewers are
selected by Program Officers charged with oversight of the review process. Care is taken to ensure that reviewers have no conflicts of interest with the
applicants. Applications are reviewed in broad areas of related disciplines based on the selection of a Field of Study (see Fields of Study in Appendix).
Selection of a Major Field of Study determines the application deadline, the broad disciplinary expertise of the reviewers, and the discipline of the
graduate degree program if awarded a Fellowship. Applicants are advised to select the Major Field of Study in the GRFP Application Module (see Fields of
Study in Appendix) that is most closely aligned with the proposed graduate program of study and research plan. Applicants who select “Other” must provide
additional information describing their studies.
Each application will be reviewed independently in accordance with the NSF Merit Review Criteria using all available information in the completed application. In
considering applications, reviewers are instructed to address the two Merit Review Criteria as approved by the National Science Board - Intellectual Merit and
Broader Impacts (NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide). Applicants must include separate statements on Intellectual Merit and
Broader Impacts in their written statements in order to provide reviewers with the information necessary to evaluate the application with respect to
both Criteria as detailed below. Applicants should include headings for Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts in their statements.
The following description of the Merit Review Criteria is provided in Chapter III of the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG):
All NSF proposals are evaluated through use of the two National Science Board approved merit review criteria. In some instances, however, NSF will
employ additional criteria as required to highlight the specific objectives of certain programs and activities.
The two merit review criteria are listed below. Both criteria are to be given full consideration during the review and decision-making processes;
each criterion is necessary but neither, by itself, is sufficient. Therefore, proposers must fully address both criteria. (PAPPG Chapter II.C.2.d.i.
contains additional information for use by proposers in development of the Project Description section of the proposal.) Reviewers are strongly
encouraged to review the criteria, including PAPPG Chapter II.C.2.d.i., prior to the review of a proposal.
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When evaluating NSF proposals, reviewers will be asked to consider what the proposers want to do, why they want to do it, how they plan to
do it, how they will know if they succeed, and what benefits could accrue if the project is successful. These issues apply both to the technical
aspects of the proposal and the way in which the project may make broader contributions. To that end, reviewers will be asked to evaluate all
proposals against two criteria:
Intellectual Merit: The Intellectual Merit criterion encompasses the potential to advance knowledge; and
Broader Impacts: The Broader Impacts criterion encompasses the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired
societal outcomes.
The following elements should be considered in the review for both criteria:
1. What is the potential for the proposed activity to:
a. Advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields (Intellectual Merit); and
b. Benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader Impacts)?
2. To what extent do the proposed activities suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?
3. Is the plan for carrying out the proposed activities well-reasoned, well-organized, and based on a sound rationale? Does the plan incorporate a
mechanism to assess success?
4. How well qualified is the individual, team, or organization to conduct the proposed activities?
5. Are there adequate resources available to the PI (either at the home organization or through collaborations) to carry out the proposed activities?
Additionally, Chapter II of the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide states:
Broader impacts may be accomplished through the research itself, through the activities that are directly related to specific research projects,
or through activities that are supported by, but are complementary to, the project. NSF values the advancement of scientific knowledge and
activities that contribute to achievement of societally relevant outcomes. Such outcomes include, but are not limited to: full participation of
women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); improved
STEM education and educator development at any level; increased public scientific literacy and public engagement with science and
technology; improved well-being of individuals in society; development of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce; increased
partnerships between academia, industry, and others; improved national security; increased economic competitiveness of the US; and
enhanced infrastructure for research and education.
Additional Solicitation Specific Review Criteria
Applicants are reviewed on their demonstrated potential to advance knowledge and to make significant research achievements and contributions to their fields
throughout their careers. Reviewers are asked to assess applications using a holistic, comprehensive approach, giving balanced consideration to all
components of the application, including the educational and research record, leadership, outreach, service activities, and future plans, as well as individual
competencies, experiences, and other attributes. The aim is to recruit and retain a diverse cohort of early-career individuals with high potential for future
achievements, contributions, and broader impacts in STEM and STEM education.
B. Application Review and Selection Process
Applications submitted in response to this program solicitation will be reviewed online by Panel Review.
The application evaluation involves the review and rating of applications by disciplinary and interdisciplinary scientists and engineers, and other professional
graduate education experts.
The primary responsibility of each reviewer is to evaluate eligible GRFP applications by applying the Merit Review Criteria described in Section VI.A, and to
recommend applicants for NSF Graduate Research Fellowships. Reviewers are instructed to review the applications holistically, applying the Merit Review
Criteria and noting GRFP’s emphasis on demonstrated potential for significant research achievements in STEM or in STEM education. From these
recommendations, NSF selects applicants for Fellowships or Honorable Mention, in line with NSF’s mission and the goals of GRFP. After Fellowship offers are
made, applicants are able to view verbatim reviewer comments, excluding the names of the reviewers, for a limited period of time through the NSF GRFP
Module.
VII. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
A. Notification of the Award
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program applicants will be notified of the outcomes of their applications by early April of the competition year. The NSF
publishes lists of Fellowship and Honorable Mention recipients on the GRFP Module at https://www.research.gov/grfp/Login.do in early April.
B. Award Conditions
NSF GRFP awards are made to the institution of higher education at which a Fellow is or will be enrolled. The awardee institution is responsible for financial
management of the award and disbursement of Fellowship funds to the Fellow. The NSF GRFP award consists of the award notification letter that includes the
applicable terms and conditions and Fellowship management instructions. All Fellowships are made subject to the provisions (and any subsequent
amendments) contained in the document NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating Officials.
NSF GRFP awards provide funds for NSF Fellows who have "on tenure" status. The institution will administer the awards, including any amendments, in
accordance with the terms of the Agreement and provisions (and any subsequent amendments) contained in the document NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Program Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating Officials.
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The applicant must accept or decline the Fellowship by the deadline indicated in the award notification letter by logging into the GRFP Module at
https://www.research.gov/grfp/Login.do with the applicant User ID and password. Failure to comply with the deadline and acceptance of Fellowship Terms
and Conditions by the deadline will result in revocation of the Fellowship offer and render applicants ineligible to re-apply.
Terms and Conditions
Awardees must formally accept and agree to the terms and conditions of the Fellowship award. Acceptance of the Fellowship constitutes a commitment to
pursue a graduate degree in an eligible science or engineering field. Acceptance of a Fellowship award is an explicit acceptance of this commitment and
assurance that the Fellow will be duly enrolled in a graduate degree program consistent with the field of study indicated in their application by the beginning of
the following academic year. Major changes in scope later in the graduate career require NSF approval. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating Officials includes the terms and conditions that apply to the Fellowship and subsequent institutional award, in
addition to the eligibility requirements (U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident, degree requirements, and field of study) and Certifications in the application.
Each institution, in accepting the funds, also certifies that the Fellows are eligible to receive the Fellowship under these terms and conditions. Fellows are
expected to make satisfactory academic progress towards completion of their graduate degrees, as defined and certified by the Fellow's GRFP institution. In
cases where Fellows have misrepresented their eligibility, or have failed to comply with the Fellowship Terms and Conditions, the Fellowship will be revoked,
and the case may be referred to the Office of the Inspector General for investigation. This action may result in requiring the Fellow to repay Fellowship funds to
the National Science Foundation.
An individual may not accept the Graduate Research Fellowship if the individual accepts or is supported by another federal graduate fellowship.
Responsible Conduct of Research
It is the responsibility of the Fellow, in conjunction with the GRFP institution, to ensure that all academic and research activities carried out in or outside the US
comply with the laws or regulations of the US and/or of the foreign country in which the academic and/or research activities are conducted. These include
appropriate human subject, animal welfare, copyright and intellectual property protection, and other regulations or laws, as appropriate. All academic and
research activities should be coordinated with the appropriate US and foreign government authorities, and necessary licenses, permits, or approvals must be
obtained prior to undertaking the proposed activities.
In response to the America COMPETES Act, all Fellows supported by NSF to conduct research are required to receive appropriate training and oversight in the
Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research.
Research Involving Human Subjects
Projects involving research with human subjects must ensure that subjects are protected from research risks in conformance with the relevant Federal policy
known as the Common Rule (Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects, 45 CFR 690). All projects involving human subjects must either (1) have
approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) before issuance of an NSF award; or, (2) must affirm that the IRB has declared the research exempt from IRB
review, in accordance with the applicable subsection, as established in 45 CFR § 690.104(d) of the Common Rule. Fellows are required to comply with this
policy and adhere to the organization's protocol for managing research involving human subjects.
Research Involving Vertebrate Animals
Any project proposing use of vertebrate animals for research or education shall comply with the Animal Welfare Act [7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.] and the regulations
promulgated thereunder by the Secretary of Agriculture [9 CFR 1.1-4.11] pertaining to the humane care, handling, and treatment of vertebrate animals held or
used for research, teaching or other activities supported by Federal awards. In accordance with these requirements, proposed projects involving use of any
vertebrate animal for research or education must be approved by the submitting organization's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) before an
award can be made. For this approval to be accepted by NSF, the organization must have a current Public Health Service (PHS) Approved Assurance.
Projects involving the care or use of vertebrate animals at an international organization or international field site also require approval of research protocols by
the US grantee’s IACUC. If the project is to be funded through an award to an international organization or through an individual fellowship award that will
support activities at an international organization, NSF will require a statement from the international organization explicitly listing the proposer’s name and
referencing the title of the award to confirm that the activities will be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws in the international country and that the
International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research Involving Animals (see: http://www.cioms.ch/) will be followed.
Legal Rights to Intellectual Property
The National Science Foundation claims no rights to any inventions or writings that might result from its fellowship or traineeship grants. However, fellows and
trainees should be aware that the NSF, another Federal agency, or some private party may acquire such rights through other support for particular research.
Also, fellows and trainees should note their obligation to include an Acknowledgment and Disclaimer in any publication.
C. Reporting Requirements
Acknowledgment of Support and Disclaimer
All publications, presentations, and creative works based on activities conducted during the Fellowship must acknowledge NSF GRFP Support and provide a
disclaimer by including the following statement in the Acknowledgements or other appropriate section:
"This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program under Grant No. (NSF grant number).
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the
National Science Foundation."
Annual Activities Report and Annual Fellowship Status Declaration
Fellows are required to submit an Annual Activities Report and to complete Fellowship Status Declaration by the deadline date each year (deadline notification
sent by email), using NSF's GRFP Module. The GRFP Module permits online submission and updating of activity reports, including information on research
accomplishments and activities related to broader impacts, presentations, publications, teaching and research assistantships, awards and recognitions, and
other scholarly and service accomplishments. These reports must be reviewed and satisfactory progress verified by the faculty advisor or designated graduate
program administrator prior to submission to NSF.
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Fellows must declare their intent to utilize the Fellowship for the following year using the NSF GRFP Module. Failure to declare Fellowship status by the
established deadline violates the terms and conditions for NSF Fellowship awards, and results in termination of the Fellowship.
Program Evaluation
The Division of Graduate Education (DGE) conducts evaluations to provide evidence on the impact of the GRFP on individuals' educational decisions, career
preparations, aspirations and progress, as well as professional productivity; and provide an understanding of the program policies in achieving the program
goals. Additionally, it is highly desirable to have a structured means of tracking Fellows beyond graduation to gauge the extent to which they choose a career
path consistent with the intent of the program and to assess the impact the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship has had on their graduate education experience.
Accordingly, Fellows and Honorable Mention recipients may be contacted for updates on various aspects of their employment history, professional activities and
accomplishments, participation in international research collaborations, and other information helpful in evaluating the impact of the program. Fellows and their
institutions agree to cooperate in program-level evaluations conducted by the NSF and/or contracted evaluators. The 2014 GRFP evaluation is posted on the
"Evaluation Reports" Web page for NSF's Education and Human Resources Directorate: https://www.nsf.gov/ehr/Evaluation_Resources.jsp.
GRFP institutions are required to submit the GRFP Completion Report annually. The Completion Report allows GRFP institutions to certify the current status of
all GRFP Fellows at the institution. The current status will identify a Fellow as: In Progress, Graduated, Transferred, or Withdrawn. For Fellows who have
graduated, the graduation date is a required reporting element.
VIII. AGENCY CONTACTS
Please note that the program contact information is current at the time of publishing. See program website (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?
pims_id=6201) for any updates to the points of contact.
General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:
Contact: GRF Operations Center,
telephone:
(866) 673-4737,
email: info@nsfgrfp.org
For questions related to the use of GRFP Application Module, contact:
NSF Help Desk: telephone: 1-800-381-1532; e-mail: rgov@nsf.gov
The Graduate Research Fellowship Operations Center is responsible for processing applications and responding to requests for information. General inquiries
regarding the Graduate Research Fellowship Program should be made to:
Graduate Research Fellowship Operations Center, telephone: 866-NSF-GRFP, 866-673-4737 (toll-free from the US and Canada) or 202-331-3542
(international). email: info@nsfgrfp.org
IX. OTHER INFORMATION
The NSF website provides the most comprehensive source of information on NSF Directorates (including contact information), programs and funding
opportunities. Use of this website by potential proposers is strongly encouraged. In addition, "NSF Update" is an information-delivery system designed to keep
potential proposers and other interested parties apprised of new NSF funding opportunities and publications, important changes in proposal and award policies
and procedures, and upcoming NSF Grants Conferences. Subscribers are informed through e-mail or the user's Web browser each time new publications are
issued that match their identified interests. "NSF Update" also is available on NSF's website.
Grants.gov provides an additional electronic capability to search for Federal government-wide grant opportunities. NSF funding opportunities may be accessed
via this mechanism. Further information on Grants.gov may be obtained at https://www.grants.gov.
Students are encouraged to gain professional experience in other countries through their university graduate programs, and to participate in
international research opportunities offered by NSF. Other funding opportunities for students are available at http://www.nsfgrfp.org/.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent Federal agency created by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 USC
1861-75). The Act states the purpose of the NSF is "to promote the progress of science; [and] to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare by
supporting research and education in all fields of science and engineering."
NSF funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. It does this through grants and cooperative agreements to more than 2,000
colleges, universities, K-12 school systems, businesses, informal science organizations and other research organizations throughout the US. The Foundation
accounts for about one-fourth of Federal support to academic institutions for basic research.
NSF receives approximately 55,000 proposals each year for research, education and training projects, of which approximately 11,000 are funded. In addition,
the Foundation receives several thousand applications for graduate and postdoctoral fellowships. The agency operates no laboratories itself but does support
National Research Centers, user facilities, certain oceanographic vessels and Arctic and Antarctic research stations. The Foundation also supports cooperative
research between universities and industry, US participation in international scientific and engineering efforts, and educational activities at every academic level.
Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities
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to work on NSF-supported projects. See the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide Chapter II.E.6 for instructions regarding preparation of these
types of proposals.
The National Science Foundation has Telephonic Device for the Deaf (TDD) and Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) capabilities that enable individuals
with hearing impairments to communicate with the Foundation about NSF programs, employment or general information. TDD may be accessed at (703) 292-
5090 and (800) 281-8749, FIRS at (800) 877-8339.
The National Science Foundation Information Center may be reached at (703) 292-5111.
The National Science Foundation promotes and advances scientific progress in the United States by competitively awarding
grants and cooperative agreements for research and education in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
To get the latest information about program deadlines, to download copies of NSF publications, and to access abstracts of awards,
visit the NSF Website at https://www.nsf.gov
Location: 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314
For General Information
(NSF Information Center):
(703) 292-5111
TDD (for the hearing-impaired): (703) 292-5090
To Order Publications or Forms:
Send an e-mail to: nsfpubs@nsf.gov
or telephone: (703) 292-8134
To Locate NSF Employees: (703) 292-5111
PRIVACY ACT AND PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENTS
The information requested on the application materials is solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. It will be
used in connection with the selection of qualified applicants and may be disclosed to qualified reviewers as part of the review process; to the institution the
nominee, applicant or fellow is attending or is planning to attend or is employed by for the purpose of facilitating review or award decisions, or administering
fellowships or awards; to government contractors, experts, volunteers and other individuals who perform a service to or work under a contract, grant,
cooperative agreement, advisory committee, committee of visitors, or other arrangement with the Federal government as necessary to complete assigned work;
to other government agencies needing data regarding applicants or nominees as part of the review process, or in order to coordinate programs; and to another
Federal agency, court or party in a court or Federal administrative proceeding if the government is a party. Information from this system may be merged with
other computer files to carry out statistical studies the results of which do not identify individuals. Notice of the agency's decision may be given to nominators,
and disclosure may be made of awardees' names, home institutions, and fields of study for public information purposes. For fellows or awardees receiving
stipends directly from the government, information is transmitted to the Department of the Treasury to make payments. See System of Record Notices, NSF-12,
"Fellowships and Other Awards," 63 Federal Register 265 (January 5, 1998). Submission of the information is voluntary; however, failure to provide full and
complete information may reduce the possibility of your receiving an award.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a valid Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) control number. The OMB control number for this collection is 3145-0023. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to
average 12 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions. Send comments regarding this burden estimate and any other aspect of this
collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:
Suzanne H. Plimpton
Reports Clearance Officer
Policy Office, Division of Institution and Award Support
Office of Budget, Finance, and Award Management
National Science Foundation
Alexandria, VA 22314
X. APPENDIX
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
Major Fields of Study
Note: Applications are reviewed based on the selection of a Major Field of Study. As an example, CHEMISTRY is a Major Field of Study, and Chemical
Catalysis is a subfield under CHEMISTRY.
Selection of a Major Field of Study determines the application deadline, the broad disciplinary expertise of the reviewers who will review the application, and the
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discipline of the graduate program if the Fellowship is accepted. The subfield category designates specific expertise of the reviewers. Applicants can select
“Other” if their specific subfield is not represented in the list of subfields under the Major Field of Study. The "Other" subfield category should be selected only if
the proposed subfield is not covered by one of the listed subfields, and should not be used to designate a subfield that is more specific than the subfields listed.
If the proposed subfield is not listed in the Appendix, it may not be eligible for Fellowship support.
CHEMISTRY
Artificial Intelligence
Chemical Catalysis
Chemical Measurement and Imaging
Chemical Structure, Dynamics, and Mechanism
Chemical Synthesis
Chemical Theory, Models and Computational Methods
Chemistry of Life Processes
Computationally Intensive Research
Environmental Chemical Systems
Macromolecular, Supramolecular, and Nanochemistry
Other (specify)
Quantum Information Science
Sustainable Chemistry
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES & ENGINEERING
Algorithms and Theoretical Foundations
Artificial Intelligence
Bioinformatics and other Informatics
Communication and Information Theory
Computational Science and Engineering
Computationally Intensive Research
Computer Architecture
Computer Networks
Computer Security and Privacy
Computer Systems and Embedded Systems
Data Mining and Information Retrieval
Data Science
Databases
Formal Methods, Verification, and Programming Languages
Graphics and Visualization
Human Computer Interaction
Machine Learning
Natural Language Processing
Other (specify)
Quantum Computing and Communication
Quantum Information Science
Robotics and Computer Vision
Software Engineering
ENGINEERING
Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
Artificial Intelligence
Bioengineering
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computationally Intensive Research
Computer Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Energy Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Industrial Engineering & Operations Research
Manufacturing Engineering
Materials Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Nuclear Engineering
Ocean Engineering
Optical Engineering
Other (specify)
Quantum Engineering
Quantum Information Science
Systems Engineering
Wireless Engineering
GEOSCIENCES
Aeronomy
Artificial Intelligence
Arctic-Antarctic
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Atmospheric Chemistry
Biogeochemistry
Biological Oceanography
Chemical Oceanography
Climate and Large-Scale Atmospheric Dynamics
Computationally Intensive Research
Geobiology
Geochemistry
Geodynamics
Geomorphology
Geophysics
Glaciology
Hydrology
Magnetospheric Physics
Marine Biology
Marine Geology and Geophysics
Other (specify)
Paleoclimate
Paleontology and Paleobiology
Petrology
Physical and Dynamic Meteorology
Physical Oceanography
Quantum Information Science
Sedimentary Geology
Solar Physics
Tectonics
LIFE SCIENCES
Artificial Intelligence
Biochemistry
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Biophysics
Cell Biology
Computationally Intensive Research
Developmental Biology
Ecology
Environmental Biology
Evolutionary Biology
Genetics
Genomics
Microbial Biology
Neurosciences
Organismal Biology
Other (specify)
Physiology
Proteomics
Quantum Information Science
Structural Biology
Systematics and Biodiversity
Systems and Molecular Biology
MATERIALS RESEARCH
Artificial Intelligence
Biomaterials
Ceramics
Chemistry of Materials
Computationally Intensive Research
Electronic Materials
Materials Theory
Metallic Materials
Other (specify)
Photonic Materials
Physics of Materials
Polymers
Quantum Information Science
MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
Algebra, Number Theory, and Combinatorics
Analysis
Applied Mathematics
Artificial Intelligence
Biostatistics
Computational and Data-enabled Science
Computational Mathematics
Computational Statistics
Computationally Intensive Research
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Geometric Analysis
Logic or Foundations of Mathematics
Mathematical Biology
Other (specify)
Probability
Quantum Information Science
Statistics
Topology
PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY
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