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

What is the NSF GRFP?

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.

Application Workshop Series Information

• What are the deadlines for this NSF GRFP application cycle?

  Deadlines to submit NSF GRFP applications depend on the discipline and subfield you are applying in. Find your discipline and corresponding deadline below:  

  Life Sciences

  October 19, 2026

  Computer and Information Science and Engineering; Materials Research; Psychology; Social Sciences

  October 20, 2026

  Engineering

  October 22, 2026

  Chemistry; Geosciences; Mathematical Sciences; Physics and Astronomy

  October 23, 2026

• 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 starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. 

  In addition, you must meet all NSF GRFP's eligibility criteria (2026-2027 application cycle):

  • Must, at the time of submission, be a U.S. citizen, national, or a permanent resident (“green-card” holder)
  • Must intend to enroll or be enrolled in an eligible research-based master's or doctoral degree program in an eligible field of study in STEM, including STEM education (See Appendix and Section IV.3 for eligible Fields of Study);
  • Never have previously accepted a Graduate Research Fellowship;
  • Have declined any previously offered Graduate Research Fellowship by the declination deadline (if applicable);
  • Have completed less than one academic year in a graduate degree program (according to the institution’s academic calendar; non-degree coursework must be clearly identified in the transcript and does not count toward this limit). 

  You are eligible to apply if the following statuses apply to you (2026-2027 application cycle):

  • Undergraduate in the final (senior) year of a bachelor’s degree program
  • Bachelor’s degree-holder with NO enrollment in a graduate degree program (non-degree graduate coursework allowed)
  • Individual enrolled in a joint bachelor’s-master’s degree program with at least three undergraduate years completed  
  • First-year graduate student in their first graduate degree program with less than one academic year completed in the degree program (according to institution’s academic calendar)
• What is the workshop schedule?

  Workshops will be held via Zoom on Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. starting July 8th, 2026 and ending August 26th, 2026.

  Week 1: NSF GRFP Basics and Letter of Recommendation

  Week 2: How to Write the Personal Statement

  Week 3 (Asynchronous): Writing Personal Statement & Completing Homework 1

  Week 4: Personal Statement Peer Review

  Week 5: Research Statement Writing

  Week 6 (Asynchronous): Writing Research Statement & Completing Homework 2

  Week 7: Research Statement Peer Review

  Week 8: You Be the Reviewer

• How do I register?

  Registration will open during Week 10 of the Spring 2026 quarter via our Registration Form. 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 our Lead Consultant at gwcwrite@ucr.edu, or our GWC Specialist, Sarah Ceja.