Graduate Writing Center

Supporting Graduate Students' Academic and Professional Success

National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) Application Workshop Series

What is the NSF GRFP?

NSF

The purpose of the NSF GRFP is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States and broaden the participation of the full spectrum of diverse talents in STEM. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing research-based Master's and Ph.D. degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and STEM education fields within NSF's mission. This effort is accomplished by providing up to three years of support with an annual stipend of $37,000 for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant achievements in science and engineering research. The GRFP supports over 100 subfields. The GRFP encourages applications from underrepresented groups, including women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans, to broaden and diversify those participating in science and engineering.

The NSF GRFP 2026 application portal will likely open between late July and early August 2025. Application deadlines vary by discipline but generally fall in mid to late October of the same year. Specific deadlines and further details will likely be announced in early June 2025.

Application Workshop Series Information

  • What is the NSF GRFP Application Workshop Series?

    For students who intend to apply to the NSF GRFP, this series of workshops offered through the Graduate Writing Center provides an overview of the program, guides students through writing personal and research statements via peer and instructor feedback, and addresses the process of requesting letters of recommendation, among other application components.

     

  • Who is eligible to attend?

    This workshop series is for incoming first-year graduate students and current first-year graduate students going into their second year for the 2024-2025 academic year. 

    In addition, you must meet all NSF GRFP's eligibility criteria (reproduced below from their website):

    • Be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident

    • Intend to enroll or be enrolled in a research-based master’s or doctoral degree program in an eligible Field of Study in STEM or STEM education

    • Have never previously accepted a Graduate Research Fellowship

    • If previously offered a Graduate Research Fellowship, have declined by the acceptance deadline

    • Have never previously applied to GRFP while enrolled in a graduate degree program

    • Have never earned a doctoral or terminal degree in any field

    • Have never earned a master’s or professional degree in any field, or completed more than one academic year in a graduate degree-granting program, unless (i) returning to graduate study after an interruption of two or more consecutive years immediately preceding the application deadline, and; (ii) not enrolled in a graduate degree program at the application deadline

    • Not be a current NSF employee

    You can self-certify your eligibility to receive the fellowship by taking the Eligibility Questionnaire.

  • What is the workshop schedule?

    Workshops will be held via Zoom on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. starting July 11th, 2025, and ending August 29th, 2025

    Week 1 (July 11th): NSF GRFP Basics and Letter of Recommendation

    Week 2 (July 18th): How to Write the Personal Statement

    Week 3 (No workshop): Writing Personal Statement & Completing Homework 1

    Week 4 (August 1st): Personal Statement Peer Review

    Week 5 (August 8th): Research Statement Writing

    Week 6 (No workshop): Writing Research Statement & Completing Homework 2

    Week 7 (August 22nd): Research Statement Peer Review

    Week 8 (August 29th): You Be the Reviewer 

  • How do I register?

    Registration will open during Week 8 of the Spring 2025 quarter and close Friday, June 27th  at 5 p.m. via WcOnline. We will accept up to 25 participants, but there will be a waitlist option for those interested in participating once registration is full, with the potential of a second section opening, depending on expressed interest. For questions or concerns, please contact the Graduate Writing Center Specialist, Dr. Lauren Hammond. 

  • Micro-credential available to attendees

    Participants of the series are eligible to receive a micro-credential at the end of the series if the following criteria are met: 

    • Attend all 6 synchronous online sessions
    • Submit draft materials during peer review sessions (Week 4 and 7)
    • Attend (at least) 3 one-on-one consultations with a GWC consultant by the end of the summer term

    If all the above criteria is met, participants can request their credential by sending an email to gwcwrite@ucr.edu.

Past Materials