The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is a highly competitive program that provides financial support to graduate students pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The program provides three years of financial support, including an annual stipend and a cost of education allowance, as well as opportunities for professional development and networking.
Winning an NSF GRFP award is a prestigious achievement that can help to support a student’s graduate education and enhance their career prospects. In addition to the financial support, the program provides opportunities for fellows to participate in professional development activities, such as workshops and conferences, and to connect with other NSF fellows and researchers in their field.
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, established in 1952, is the oldest fellowship program in the United States that directly supports graduate students in STEM fields. Over 60,000 Graduate Research Fellowships have been awarded by the NSF since its inception, with many recipients going on to achieve notable accomplishments, including Nobel laureates and members of the National Academy of Sciences.
Awardees of 2023
On May 9, 2023, the National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded 11 students and alumni from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) prestigious Graduate Research Fellowships. The recipients and their respective fields of study are as follows:
Lacie Allen-Bey ’21: Medical Anthropology
Naomi Alyafei ’21: Bioengineering
Amanda Gomez ’21: Biomedical Engineering
Miranda Lumbreras ’19: Life Sciences – Cell Biology
Kalei Oliver: Archaeology
Samantha Oviedo: Biochemistry
Tristan Pepper: Biomedical Engineering
Justin Sharpe ’21: Geoscience – Paleoclimate
Morgan Struthers ’21: Biomedical Engineering
Joshua Chaj Ulloa: Biomedical Engineering
Juan Vasquez ’20: Life Sciences – Neurosciences
Additionally, Bethany Cruz ’20, studying Social Psychology, received an honorable mention from the NSF.
Several of the awardees, including Allen-Bey, Cruz, Gomez, Oliver, and Sharpe, participated in this program.
These fellowships provide a three-year annual stipend of $37,000, a $12,000 cost of education allowance, and access to professional development opportunities. The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program aims to support outstanding graduate students pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in STEM disciplines at accredited U.S. institutions.
Important Timeline for NSF GRFP
The NSF GRFP award notification timeline varies each year, but typically follows a similar timeline:
Application deadline: The application deadline for the NSF GRFP typically falls in late October or early November.
Review process: After the application deadline, applications are reviewed by experts in the relevant fields. This review process can take several months, with reviewers evaluating applications based on criteria such as intellectual merit and broader impacts.
Notification of results: Award notifications are typically sent out in early to mid-April. This time it was delayed a bit and pushed to May. Applicants who have been selected to receive the fellowship will receive an email notification, followed by a formal offer letter. Applicants who have not been selected will also receive a notification.
Acceptance deadline: Award recipients typically have several weeks to accept or decline the fellowship offer. An alternate candidate may offer the fellowship if a recipient refuses the offer.
The deadline for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) varies depending on the field of study. Generally, the deadline falls in late October or early November each year. However, the exact deadline can vary from year to year, and it’s best to check the official NSF website for the most up-to-date information.
If you have missed the deadline for the current year, you may still have the opportunity to apply next year. Keep in mind that the competition for NSF GRFP is extremely competitive, so it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Overall, the NSF GRFP award notification timeline can be a lengthy process, with applicants typically waiting several months to receive notification of their award status. It is important for applicants to be patient and to plan accordingly, to ensure that they can meet any deadlines and requirements associated with the fellowship.