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 50% (20hrs/wk) during the academic year.
  • Exceptions for additional employment above the stated percentages will not be considered by the Division of Graduate Education.

Deadline

Reporting Deadline

TBD for Spring 2027

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:
    • 2026-27 Annual Activities Report
    • 2026-27 Academic/Research Advisor Confirmation Form
    • 2027-28 Fellowship Status Declaration
      • Declare Tenure/Reserve Status for 2027-28
      • 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

All new awardee orientation sessions have now concluded. A recording of the session and the presentation slides were shared with all new awardees directly by email. If you did not receive the email or are unable to access the Google Drive link, please contact the NSF GRFP Coordinating Official, Jane Sin. It is imperative that you watch the orientation recording and review the accompanying materials.

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 (all 5pm Eastern Time)

Reference Letters (for ALL Applicants)
 
Friday, Oct. 16, 2026
 
Life Sciences
 
Monday, Oct. 19, 2026
 
Computer & Information Sciences and Engineering, Materials Research, Psychology, Social Sciences
 
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026
 
Engineering
 
Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026
 
Chemistry, Geosciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics & Astronomy
 
Friday, Oct. 23, 2026

Transcript Policy Update (2026):
NSF now accepts unofficial graduate transcripts if the IHE does not provide official transcripts for first year students in their first term. Official graduate transcripts are still required.

Updated Ineligible Fields of Study and Research (2026):
NSF has updated its list of ineligible fields of study and research. Applicants should carefully review the current eligibility guidance listed in the program solicitation before submitting an application.

Early April 2027: GRFP Application Results Announced

Early May 2026: 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