Preparing a Successful National Science Foundation GRFP Application

Are you a first or second year graduate student in a research-based master’s or doctoral program in a STEM or STEM education field? Are you seeking fellowship support? If so, the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) may be an option for you. This workshop is intended to help students understand the NSF GRFP application and how to prepare a successful application. The application is extensive; students who are interested in applying should start the application prior to the workshop and come to the session with their questions. Students are encouraged to submit their questions several days in advance of the workshop to gsdean@umn.edu. Students are also asked to view a slide presentation prior to the workshop (this material will not be presented at the workshop). Panelists will answer students’ questions about aspects of the application and the NSF GRFP review process.

Eligible students:

• must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or permanent resident
• be in a research-focused master’s or Ph.D. program in an NSF-supported field
• have completed no more than twelve months of full-time graduate student (or the equivalent)

Brief program description:

The Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is a National Science Foundation-wide program that provides Fellowships to individuals selected early in their graduate careers based on their demonstrated potential for significant research achievements in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education. Three years of support is provided by the program for graduate study that leads to a research-based master's or doctoral degree in STEM or STEM education (see Fields of Study in the program solicitation). The application deadline, determined by the applicant’s primary field of study, is in October.

For questions, please contact the Graduate School Fellowship Office, gsfellow@umn.edu.