NSF Programs for Graduate Students
The Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) and Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement (DDRI) opportunities are briefly summarized here.
The NSF GRFP recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported STEM disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited US institutions. The five-year fellowship includes three years of financial support including an annual stipend of $37,000 and a cost of education allowance of $16,000 to the institution.
Open to: First-year graduate students in their first graduate degree program with less than one academic year completed in the degree program, senior undergraduate students, and bachelor's degree holders with no prior enrollment in a graduate program (see solicitation for eligibility details). Please note: to be eligible, Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents ("green card" holders) by the application deadline, and if offered a fellowship, at the time of acceptance.
Proposal Due Dates: October 2026 – deadlines vary by field of study
Support Documents and Information:
- Solicitation:
- (provides detailed instructions and FAQs)
- including required templates
- (assemble and submit your application here)
NSF Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (DDRIG) opportunities
NSF DDRIG awards provide funding for doctoral students to improve the quality of dissertation research. These grants provide funds for items not normally available through the student's university and may include costs associated with travel, data collection activities, equipment, subject payments, and materials/supplies.
Open to: Doctoral students at the appropriate stage of their academic career to enable submission of a finalized dissertation proposal, most typically very near, or having advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.
Visit NSF's to see the list of programs that currently accept DDRIG proposals. Deadlines vary by program.
