National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP)

Overview

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The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the quality and vitality of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. A goal of the program is to broaden participation of the full spectrum of diverse talents in STEM. The five-year fellowship provides three years of financial support inclusive of an annual stipend of $37,000.

As the oldest graduate fellowship of its kind, the GRFP has a long history of selecting recipients who achieve high levels of success in their future academic and professional careers. The reputation of the GRFP follows recipients and often helps them become life-long leaders that contribute significantly to both scientific innovation and teaching. Past fellows include numerous Nobel Prize winners, former U.S. Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, Google founder, Sergey Brin and Freakonomics co-author, Steven Levitt.

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Upcoming Workshops

Roadmap to Applying 

• 9/1/2026 (Virtual) 10:00-11:30 am - Regsiter (https://utah.zoom.us/meeting/register/S1WCkCxJToKqJwRdAJY8wQ )
• 9/2/2026 (Virtual) 3:00-4:30 pm - Register (https://utah.zoom.us/meeting/register/UlrpoyEeSKGdWO2YLqjNZg)
• 9/3/2026 (Virtual) 10:00-11:30 am - Register (https://utah.zoom.us/meeting/register/_hXTiBTmTNyolYGExuIK9A )
• 9/9/2026 (Virtual) 10:00-11:30 am - Register (https://utah.zoom.us/meeting/register/BohZ0-rxSAuOWzt97-y4IQ )
• 9/10/2026 (Virtual) 3:00-4:30 pm - Register (https://utah.zoom.us/meeting/register/jZWU9ItaScCMMMbeMMYKsw)
• 9/15/2026 (Virtual) 10:00-11:30 am - Register (https://utah.zoom.us/meeting/register/8nEBn4CGSoWdR2ByN9_FWg )

Crafting a Compelling Personal Statement 

• 9/15/2026 (In-Person) 6:00-8:00 pm  - Gardner Commons: Rm 3105
• 9/16/2026 (In-Person) 10:00-11:30 am  - Gardner Commons : Rm 3680
• 9/21/2026 (In-Person) 3:00-4:30 pm - Marriott Library: Rm 1150

Previous winning NSF GRFP essay examples:

•  Previous Successful Proposals (U login Required)
•  Alex Lang's NSF Support Site 

 

Financial Support

The graduate research fellowship provides generous support for graduate students and their research, which includes the following as of Fall 2024:

• A $37,000-per-year stipend for three years
• Graduate tuition coverage for three years

 In addition, University of Utah generously provides fellows with a research & professional development allowance of $2,000/year for three years, as well as provides health insurance coverage (medical, dental, and vision) for three years.  Additional information regarding student health insurance can be found on our student health insurance web page.

Fellows may be eligible for additional funding to complete a non-academic internship via the NSF-INTERN program; email fellowships@gradschool.utah.edu for more information.