At the School of Engineering, the Graduate and Professional Studies office provides preparation webinars and writing workshops in the Fall of each application cycle to Engineering students interested in applying to the National Science Foundation(NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) program.
Engineering: See our Events & News section below for upcoming sessions or to read the latest news on awardees in the School of Engineering.
UCI Graduate Division: Grad Division also offers numerous resources related to applying to the GRFP. In 2024, Grad Division launched an incentive program ($500 for submitting, and $1000 for winning) for students to submit applications and continues to offer consultation appointments with fellowship mentors through their office.
NSF GRFP Program Information
The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and in STEM education. The GRFP provides three years of support for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant research achievements in STEM and STEM education. NSF especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, persons with disabilities, and veterans to apply. NSF also encourages undergraduate seniors to apply.
More information about the GRFP can be found at https://www.nsfgrfp.org/ and in the solicitation and FAQs.
Below are the application deadlines and eligibility requirements for the 2025 cycle:
Deadlines
- October 15, 2024: Chemistry; Geosciences, Mathematical Sciences; Physics and Astronomy
- October 16, 2024: Life Sciences
- October 17, 2024: Engineering
- October 18, 2024: Computer and Information Science and Engineering; Materials Research
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
- Intend to enroll or be enrolled full-time in a research-based Master’s or doctoral degree program in an eligible Field of Study in STEM or STEM education (See Appendix and Section IV.3 for eligible Fields of Study)
- Never previously accepted a Graduate Research Fellowship
- Declined any previously offered Graduate Research Fellowship by the acceptance deadline
- Never previously applied to GRFP while enrolled in a graduate degree program
- Never earned a doctoral or terminal degree in any field
- Have completed no more than one academic year (according to institution’s academic calendar) while enrolled in a graduate degree program (non-degree coursework must be clearly identified in the transcript and does not count toward this limit)
- Individuals holding joint Bachelor’s-Master’s degrees who did not apply while enrolled in the joint program, may apply as second-year graduate applicants if enrolled in an eligible doctoral program the beginning of the academic year immediately following the academic award year of the joint degree
- Individuals with prior graduate enrollment who have: (i) completed more than one academic year in any graduate degree-granting program, (ii) earned a previous master’s degree of any kind (see guidance for joint Bachelor’s-Master’s degree-holders above), or (iii) earned a professional degree must meet the following requirements:
- not enrolled in a graduate degree program at application deadline
- two or more consecutive years past graduate degree enrollment or completion at the application deadline
- Not be a current NSF employee.
Engineering NSF GRFP Informational
Engineering NSF GRFP Writing Clinic
