Applications are now open for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program 2027 in the United States. This prestigious fellowship supports outstanding students who plan to pursue research-based master’s or doctoral degrees in eligible science, technology, engineering, mathematics and social science fields.
The fellowship is administered by the U.S. National Science Foundation. Selected fellows receive a five-year award that includes three years of financial support. For each funded year, the program provides a $37,000 stipend to the fellow and a $16,000 education allowance to the academic institution.
Applicants should carefully check the citizenship conditions before starting an application. The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program 2027 is only open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and permanent residents of the United States. International students holding temporary student visas are not eligible.
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program 2027 Details
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Host country | United States |
| Funding organization | U.S. National Science Foundation |
| Fellowship name | NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program |
| Degree level | Research-based Master’s and PhD |
| Eligible fields | STEM and eligible social science fields |
| Award duration | Five years |
| Financial support | Three funded years |
| Annual stipend | $37,000 |
| Education allowance | $16,000 per funded year |
| Reference-letter deadline | October 16, 2026 |
| Application deadline | October 19–23, 2026, depending on the field |
About the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, commonly called NSF GRFP, aims to develop the next generation of researchers and leaders in science and engineering. It recognizes students who demonstrate strong potential to make meaningful contributions to research, scientific knowledge and society.
The fellowship is awarded to individual students rather than directly to a particular research project. Successful applicants can pursue an eligible research-based graduate degree at an accredited nonprofit U.S. institution with a campus located in the United States, its territories, possessions or Puerto Rico.
The award lasts for five years. Fellows may use three years of financial support during that five-year period, providing some flexibility in arranging their graduate studies and research activities.
Financial Benefits
Successful applicants for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program 2027 will receive the following benefits:
- A five-year fellowship award
- Three years of financial support during the five-year award period
- A $37,000 annual stipend paid to the fellow
- A $16,000 annual cost-of-education allowance paid to the institution
- Coverage of tuition and mandatory institutional fees during funded fellowship years
- Total annual support of $53,000 for each funded year
- Up to $159,000 in combined support across three funded years
- No post-graduate service requirement
- Possible access to supplemental support during an approved medical leave
The cost-of-education allowance is paid directly to the institution rather than to the student. Fellows should consult their graduate institution for information about the stipend-payment schedule and management of the fellowship.
Eligible Fields of Study
The fellowship supports research-based graduate education in eligible STEM and social science fields. Major areas include:
- Chemistry
- Computer and information science and engineering
- Engineering
- Geosciences
- Life sciences
- Materials research
- Mathematical sciences
- Physics and astronomy
- Psychology
- Social sciences
- STEM education and learning research
Applicants must select their proposed major field of study carefully because this selection determines their application deadline and the group that reviews their application.
Practice-oriented professional degree programs are not supported. Programs such as MBA, MPH, MSW, JD, MD, DVM and DDS are ineligible. Joint professional and research degrees, including MD/PhD and JD/PhD programs, are also not eligible under the fellowship rules.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program 2027, applicants must meet all the following conditions by their application deadline:
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or permanent resident
- Intend to enroll or already be enrolled full-time in an eligible research-based master’s or doctoral program
- Study in an eligible STEM or social science field
- Have completed less than one academic year in a graduate degree program
- Never have previously accepted an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
- Have declined any previously offered NSF fellowship by the required deadline, if applicable
- Not be a current NSF employee
Eligible applicants may include undergraduate students in the final year of a bachelor’s program, bachelor’s degree holders who have not enrolled in a graduate degree program, certain joint bachelor’s-master’s students and eligible first-year graduate students.
Students already enrolled in a graduate program can generally apply only once, during the first year of their first graduate degree program. Individuals who have already earned a master’s, doctoral or other terminal degree are not eligible.
International students studying in the United States on temporary visas cannot apply. Applicants waiting for permanent-resident status are also ineligible unless they have officially obtained permanent residency by the time they submit the application.
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Required Application Materials
Applicants should prepare the following information and documents:
- Personal and contact information
- Details of all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
- Official undergraduate academic transcripts in PDF format
- Graduate transcript, when applicable
- Academic honours, fellowships and scholarships
- Publications and presentations, if available
- Employment, research and other relevant experience
- Proposed major and subfield of study
- Names and contact details of three reference writers
- At least two submitted reference letters
- Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement
- Graduate Research Plan Statement
Applicants may request up to five reference letters and rank them in order of preference. However, NSF requires information for three reference writers, and at least two letters must be received for the application to be reviewed.
The Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement has a maximum length of three pages. The Graduate Research Plan Statement has a maximum length of two pages. Both statements must include separate headings for Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts.
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated according to two main NSF review criteria:
Intellectual Merit
This criterion considers the applicant’s potential to advance knowledge within their chosen field. Reviewers may consider academic preparation, research experience, creativity, problem-solving ability and the quality of the proposed graduate research plan.
Broader Impacts
This criterion considers the applicant’s potential to benefit society and contribute to desired social outcomes. Applicants may discuss teaching, mentoring, community engagement, science communication, increasing participation in STEM or other activities that connect research with society.
A strong application should provide clear evidence of both research potential and broader contributions. Applicants should use specific examples rather than relying on general statements.
Application Deadlines
The application deadline depends on the applicant’s selected major field of study. All deadlines are at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
- October 16, 2026: All reference letters
- October 19, 2026: Life Sciences
- October 20, 2026: Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Materials Research, Psychology and Social Sciences
- October 22, 2026: Engineering
- October 23, 2026: Chemistry, Geosciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy
Applications submitted after the relevant field deadline will not be accepted. Applicants should also remember that reference letters are due before the main application deadlines.
How to Apply
Applications for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program 2027 must be completed through the NSF GRFP Application Module on Research.gov.
First, applicants should read the official funding notice and confirm their eligibility. They must then create a Research.gov account or sign in to an existing account. After opening the GRFP Application Module, applicants can enter their personal and academic information, choose an eligible field of study, upload transcripts and statements, and register their reference writers.
The two required statements must follow NSF’s page limits and formatting rules. Applicants should use the official templates and carefully review every uploaded PDF before submitting the application. Reference writers must submit their letters separately by October 16, 2026.
There is no application fee. Applicants are strongly advised to submit early because NSF does not accept applications or reference letters after the published deadlines.
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Final Thoughts
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program 2027 is an excellent opportunity for eligible students planning research careers in STEM and related social sciences. Its combination of a personal stipend, education funding and flexible five-year award period can provide valuable support during graduate study.
However, applicants must pay close attention to the citizenship requirement, graduate-enrollment limit and field-specific deadline. Begin preparing transcripts, research statements and reference letters early so there is enough time to submit a complete and competitive application.
