"The purpose of the U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and strength of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States."

To be eligible, an applicant must meet all the following eligibility criteria by the application deadline:

1. Must, at the time of submission, be a U.S. citizen, national, or a permanent resident ("green-card" holder).
2. Must intend to enroll or be enrolled full-time in an eligible research-based master's or doctoral degree program in an eligible field of study in STEM.
3. Must never have previously accepted an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.
4. Must have declined any previously offered NSF Graduate Research Fellowship by the deadline (if applicable).
5. Must have completed less than one academic year in a graduate degree program.
6. Must not be a current NSF employee.

Reference letters are due Friday, October 16.

[Note: The 2026 GRFP list of "eligible fields" includes psychology and a generic social sciences designation; there are also specific criteria for eligible research. See the DCSS news item about NSF funding for relevant context.]

See the complete announcement and application instructions on the NSF website.