NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) helps ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science [including social science] and engineering in the United States and reinforces its diversity. The purpose of the program is to increase the Nation’s human capacity in science [including social science] and engineering by providing fellowships for early-career graduate students who pursue research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in NSF-supported disciplines. NSF Fellows are anticipated to become knowledge experts who can contribute significantly to research, teaching, and innovations in science and engineering.

Current Fellows

Requirements

Basic Requirements

  • Register and enrolled in at least 12 units each quarter on “tenure”
  • 3.0 GPA or above
  • Maintain satisfactory progress
  • Be enrolled in Bruin Direct Deposit
  • Cannot work more than 25% (10hrs/wk) during the academic year. Cannot work more than 50% (20hrs/wk) during the summer.
  • Exceptions for additional employment above the stated percentages will not be considered by the Division of Graduate Education.

Deadline

Reporting Deadline

May 1st, 2026 at 8:59 PM PDT

All fellows, regardless of status, must submit forms/declare tenure via the Graduate Fellowship Administration System on Fastlane. Failure to do so will result in cancellation of your GRFP.

  • Required actions:
    • 2025-26 Annual Activities Report
    • 2025-26 Academic/Research Advisor Confirmation Form
    • 2026-27 Fellowship Status Declaration
      • Declare Tenure/Reserve Status for 2026-27
      • Reach out to Coordinating Official for specific instructions if you are graduating in 2025.

FAQ

FAQs

NSF GRFP Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

General information and tips to help awardees navigate the program.

End of Program

End of Program

Graduating seniors should refer to the below PDF to understand the Fellowship End Date Policy.

Fellowship End Date Policy (PDF)

New Awardees

NSF GRFP Fellowship New Awardees Workshop

See below for upcoming virtual orientation sessions for 2026–27 new awardees. Presentation slides and a session recording will be shared via Google Drive after the first session concludes.

All sessions cover the same material, so you only need to attend one. However, attendance at one session is required for all new awardees.

During the orientation, we will review key NSF GRFP policies at UCLA, provide an overview of program basics, and allow time for questions and answers.

Note that this is a workshop for GRFP awardees and NOT an information session for prospective applicants.

Contact

NSF GRFP Campus Coordinating Official at UCLA

Jane Sin
Fellowships and Financial Services
1228 Murphy Hall
askgrad@grad.ucla.edu

Prospective Applicants

Eligibility

 

Basic Requirements

  • must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or permanent green card resident
  • be in a research-focused Master’s or Ph.D. program in an NSF-supported field
  • be enrolled in an eligible program at an accredited United States graduate institution by the coming Fall
  • be in the first year of their first graduate program
  • meet all other eligibility requirements as set forth in the current Program Solicitation

For a complete list of the program eligibility requirements please visit the program solicitation.

Deadlines

 

Deadlines

Letters of References (ALL Applicants)
 
Friday, Nov. 7 2025
 
Life Sciences
 
Monday, Nov. 10 2025
 
Computer & Info Sci and Engineering, Materials Research, Psychology, Social Sciences, STEM Education and Learning
 
Wednesday, Nov. 12 2025
 
Engineering
 
Thursday, Nov. 13 2025
 
Chemistry, Geosciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics & Astronomy
 
Friday, Nov. 14 2025

NSF Transcript Policy Update (2025):
NSF now requires official transcripts from all institutions attended to be submitted with GRFP applications. Unofficial transcripts are no longer accepted. Please review NSF’s updated guidance here.

Early April: GRFP Application Results Announced

Early May: Deadline to Accept Fellowship

  • Check deadline indicated award notification letter for exact date

Workshops

UCLA Graduate Writing Center (GWC)

NSF GRFP Application Writing Workshop

All GWC workshops have concluded. Presentation slides and session recordings are available upon request. To request access, please use the links below.

Links

Contact

NSF GRFP Program Contact

GRF Operations Center

If you have questions about the topics below, please contact the GRF Operations Center.

  • General program information
  • Application (non-technical) assistance
  • Review inquiries
  • Reviewer inquires
  • Selection notification inquires

Tel: 1-866-NSF-GRFP (1-866-673-4737)

Email: info@nsfgrfp.org

NSF Help Desk

Technical questions from GRFP Applicants, GRFP Fellows, GRFP Reference Writers, and GRFP Coordinating Officials should be addressed to the NSF Help Desk.

Tel: 1-800-673-6188

Email: fastlane@nsf.gov

UCLA NSF GRFP Coordinating Official 

Jane Sin
Fellowships and Financial Services
1228 Murphy Hall
askgrad@grad.ucla.edu