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The Graduate School

University information technology (uit), main navigation, graduate research fellowship.

Prize Amount: $27,000 plus tuition benefit – if eligible subsidized health insurance

For: full-time graduate students who are conducting research or creative projects and who are pursuing the terminal graduate degree in their departments.

Due: December 2024 (2025-2026 application to open in October)* * Your department may have an earlier deadline. 

The University Graduate Research Fellowship (UGRF) is a one-year, non-renewable award. The intent of the GRF is to provide the opportunity for full-time research during the fellow’s academic year. 

Recipients of the University Graduate Research Fellowship

• receive an $27,000 stipend for the regular academic year,
• are eligible to participate in the Graduate Student Subsidized Health Insurance Program ,
• and have tuition paid through the Graduate Tuition Benefit Program (TBP).

Eligibility

All full-time graduate students working toward a Ph.D. or the other terminal graduate degree in their department are eligible to apply.

• Both domestic and international graduate students are eligible to apply.
• Awardees must satisfactorily have passed all preliminary and qualifying examinations prior to Fall Semester 2024.
• Fellows are expected to be engaged in full-time research or creative work during the academic year of the fellowship.
• If a department’s graduate student support level is greater than the UGRF stipend, subject to the approval from the home department and dean of the Graduate School, fellows may work up to 10 hours weekly as a teaching, research, or graduate assistant (equivalent to 0.25 FTE).
• It is expected that recipients will not accept other employment.

Limitations

Departments may submit a maximum of two proposals. For departments with more than one applicant, the chair must rank the proposals on a separate sheet of paper and explicitly comment on their relative quality.

Selection Process & Criteria

Proposals will be reviewed and awardees selected by a committee of University of Utah faculty members active in research and/or creative work from across the campus. The selection committee is chaired by the dean of the Graduate School and ten faculty appointed by the dean of the Graduate School.

The committee bases its selection on the following:

• Quality/impact of the research or creative project;
• Candidate’s achievements (published papers, conference presentations, etc.)
• Candidate’s potential for success; i.e., academic excellence (assessed by academic record and references).

Applications

The following must be submitted via AcademicWorks:

• Particular emphasis should be placed on evidence of the student's high potential for achievement in research or creative work.
• The statement should direct the reader to the location of this evidence in the student's proposal and/or record of graduate study.
• a statement of the department’s standards of rigor that the selection committee can refer to in its deliberations, and
• a statement of the student’s potential for future success appropriate to the discipline.
• Purpose of the project;
• Essential features of the methodology, including analytical and/or creative methods;
• Hypotheses or projected results (if appropriate to the methodology);
• Potential impact, value, importance of the research or creative project;
• The proposal should be 3, but not more than four 4, single-spaced pages in length (no appendices) using a 12-pt. font with one-inch margins. Proposals must be written so their meaning is clear to faculty outside the student's particular discipline.
• An official University of Utah transcript.
• Two letters of recommendation.
• Student's vita or resume.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 2024 (2025-2026 application to open in October)

Recipient Spotlights SEE ALL RECIPIENTS

Stefano Filipazzi

Mathematics

Stefano is from Bellano, a small village in northern Italy by the Alps. He is currently pursuing a PhD in mathematics, with a focus on algebraic geometry.

Emily Nicolosi

Emily Nicolosi is a PhD student in the Department of Geography at the University of Utah. Emily received her undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Studio Art from the University of Vermont.

Mohammed Ghashami

Mechanical Engineering

Mohammed received his BSc degree from University of Tehran, Iran in 2012 and started his PhD program under supervision of Dr. Keunhan Park in Fall 2013.

Niloofar Farhang

Bioengineering

Niloofar Farhang is a 4th year bioengineering PhD student studying gene and cell therapies for back pain under the direction of Dr. Robby Bowles.

Graduate Research Fellowship Program

What is GRFP?

Fellowship benefits.

• Five year fellowship period with three years of financial support
• Annual stipend of $37,000
• Cost-of-education allowance of $16,000 to the institution
• No post-graduate study service requirement
• Access to supplemental funding to sustain research while on medical deferral (e.g. family leave)

Learn More »

Am I Eligible ?

To be eligible for the NSF GRFP, you must:

• be a US citizen, US national, or permanent resident
• intend to pursue a research-based Master’s or Ph.D. program in a GRFP-supported field
• be enrolled in an eligible program at an accredited United States graduate institution, with a US campus, by fall following selection
• be at an early stage in your graduate career
• have completed no more than one academic year of full-time graduate study (or the equivalent)
• Graduate students are limited to only one application to the GRFP, submitted either in the first year or in the second year of graduate school

Click here for more information

What's My Level?

Application level selection.

The GRFP Application requires you to select the academic level that best describes the stage of your academic career. Use the GRFP Academic Level Questionnaire to help you select the appropriate academic level in your application. Levels are determined as follows:

Level 1. You have not previously enrolled in a graduate degree-granting program, but plan to start graduate study next fall. Includes undergraduates in the final year of a bachelor’s degree program and individuals who previously earned a bachelor’s degree.

Level 2. First year graduate student currently enrolled in a graduate degree-granting program, who has never applied to GRFP before as a graduate student or returning graduate student, or a student currently enrolled in a joint bachelor’s-master’s degree program (must have completed three academic years in program).

Level 3. Second year graduate student who has completed no more than one academic year of graduate study while enrolled in any graduate degree-granting program, does not have a graduate degree, and has never applied to GRFP before as a graduate student or returning graduate student.

Level 4. Returning graduate student who is not currently enrolled in a degree-granting program, and may have more than one academic year in a graduate-degree granting program and/or a master’s or professional degree, followed by an interruption of at least two years just prior to the GRFP application deadline. Note: address the reasons for the interruption and why you should be considered to be in the early stages of your graduate education in the Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement.

GRFP recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who have demonstrated the potential to be high achieving scientists and engineers, early in their careers. Applicants must be pursuing full-time research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education at accredited US institutions.

• Oct. 17, 2022 - Life Sciences
• Oct. 18, 2022 - Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Materials Research, Psychology, Social Sciences, STEM Education and Learning
• Oct. 20, 2022 - Engineering
• Oct. 21, 2022 - Chemistry, Geosciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy
• Oct. 28, 2022 - 5:00 PM ET
• Aug. 31, 2022 - 11:15 AM to 1:15 PM ET Info for Applicants Webinar 1
• Sept. 21, 2022 - 11:15 AM to 1:15 PM ET Info for Applicants Webinar 2
• Sept. 28, 2022 - 11:15 AM to 1:15 PM ET Reading the Fine Points of the GRFP Solicitation Webinar

NSF welcomes scientists and engineers to serve as reviewers of GRFP applications. Serving as a GRFP Reviewer is an excellent opportunity to apply your research and career expertise to help identify future science and engineering leaders.

• Sep. 15, 2022 - 5:00 PM ET
• Nov. 1, 2022 - 11AM to 1 PM ET Reviewer Training Webinar #1
• Nov. 4, 2022 - 2 PM to 4 PM ET Reviewer Training Webinar #2
• Nov. 10, 2022 - 2 PM to 4 PM ET Reviewer Training Webinar #3
• Nov. 15, 2022 - 2 PM to 4 PM ET Reviewer Training Webinar #4

Reference Writers

Reference letters are a key component of a strong GRFP application package. The most effective reference letters provide detailed and specific information about how an applicant meets the NSF Merit Review Criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts.

• Oct. 5, 2022 - 11:15 AM to 1:15 PM ET Info for Reference Writers & Research Mentors
• Oct. 6, 2022 - 11 AM to 1 PM ET Reference Writers Webinar

APPLICATION PREPARATION:

ONLY COMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE REVIEWED .

Jane Street Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF)

• Biological Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
• Fall Quarter (September-December)
• Early graduate school
• Professional training
• Scholarship
• No citizenship requirements

Jane Street Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) supports exceptional doctoral students currently pursuing a PhD in mathematics, computer science, physics, or statistics. Fellows will also receive a $45,000 USD stipend (or the equivalent in your local currency) to help with living expenses while completing their PhD. All Finalists will receive a $5,000 monetary award. Those selected as Fellows will receive this in addition to their Fellowship stipend.

Eligibility

• PhD students who have at least one year remaining in a program in computer science, math, physics, or statistics, or have committed to commence a PhD program at a specified university in the Fall of 2024 are eligible to apply.
• Students must remain in good academic standing as an active, full-time member of their PhD program at a degree-granting accredited research institution in the United States, Canada, or Europe for the duration of the academic year of the award, or the award will be forfeited. Deferrals for medical reasons and other extenuating circumstances may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
• International students are eligible and encouraged to apply!

Fellowship Website:

Your information has been submitted. Thanks!

Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF)

🏆 available:, scholarship description.

The Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) is designed to help meet the continuing needs of the aeronautics and space effort by increasing the number of highly trained scientists and engineers in aerospace, space science, space applications and space technology. The GRF Program awards assistantships for graduate study leading to research-based masters or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering.

Fellowship money awarded by the SC Space Grant Consortium will be administered through the your institution’s Grants and Sponsored Programs Offices. Indirect charges (IDCs) are NOT ALLOWED on any SC Space Grant student awards. A maximum of $16,000 will be awarded from the SC Space Grant Consortium, which must be matched 1:1 by the host institution with non-federal funds, the total being applied toward a graduate assistantship, totaling $32,000. In an effort to make the fellowship prestigious, one with the potential to attract and hold the best and brightest students, a requirement is that the stipend amount of $26,000 out of $32,000. A signature from the official responsible for committing the institution is required for the application.

All applicants must be either full-time graduate students enrolled in an accredited consortium member institution or an applicant for full time admission to a Masters or Doctorate program in an accredited consortium member institution. Applicants must be citizens of the U.S. (see U.S. citizenship requirements here). An individual accepting this award may not concurrently receive other Federal fellowships or traineeships. Underrepresented minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are strongly urged to apply.

Eligibility Requirements

• Award is available to U.S. citizens

Application Requirements

• Application form required

How To Apply

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Donor: NASA South Carolina Space Grant Consortium

The NASA SCSGC is committed to excellence in students and faculty research and to promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and expanding outreach projects across the state of South Carolina. We specifically seek to include underrepresented groups in all of the programs and activities supported by the SCSGC. The consortium devises programs to encourage researchers and students to conduct aerospace related research and to address the science education pipeline problem.

• Funding Opportunities Requiring Program Nomination or Institutional Endorsement

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program

The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) provides three-year graduate research fellowships in science, mathematics and engineering, including Women in Engineering and Computer and Information Science awards. Fellowships are awarded for graduate study leading to research-based master’s or doctoral degrees in the mathematical, physical, biological, behavioral and social sciences; engineering; the history of science and the philosophy of science; and for research-based Ph.D. degrees in science education.

The NSF highly encourages minority students to apply. Fellowships are intended for individuals in the early stages of their graduate study at any appropriate, accredited, non-profit U.S. institution or appropriate international institution of higher education offering advanced degrees in science, mathematics, or engineering is considered eligible.

Fall 2023 Information Session

NSF GRFP Information Session Led by Professor William Hahn, this information session will provide a comprehensive overview of the GRFP and provide guidance on how to competitively frame the statements to meet the agency’s funding priorities. Date : TBA Location: Zoom

Writing for the GRFP

Students seeking assistance preparing proposals should reach out to Elizabeth George, Associate Director of Graduate Fellowships & Awards at [email protected].

Check back for writing workshop dates.

Special Sessions :  Open-Writing with Individual Assistance from Writing Center Tutors The Writing Center offers appointments with tutors who are grant-writing specialists (designated in the tutor’s bio which pops up when you schedule an appointment); you can also sign up for any other open slot, since all tutors should be prepared to help with both your personal statement and your research statement.  Follow the below link to setup an account and schedule an appointment:  http://writingcenter.georgetown.edu/

• Three (3) years of stipend, currently $37,000 per year, disbursed over a five-year period while student is on “active” tenure.
• $16,000 cost-of-education allowance to the home institution per year of “active” tenure.
• Opportunities for international research through  GROW  and federal internships through  GRIP
• Supercomputing resources through  XSEDE

Student Eligibility

• U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents.
• Undergraduate seniors and bachelor’s degree holders may apply before enrolling in a degree-granting graduate program.
• Graduate students enrolled in a degree-granting graduate program are limited to only one application to the GRFP, submitted in the first year or at the beginning of the second year of their degree program.
• Individuals pursuing a master’s degree simultaneously with the bachelor’s degree (joint bachelor’s-master’s degree) must have completed three (3) years in the joint program and are limited to one application to GRFP; they will not be eligible to apply again as a doctoral degree student.
• Individuals holding joint bachelor’s-master’s degrees currently enrolled as first-year doctoral students, who have not previously applied as graduate students and enrolled in the doctoral program the semester following award of the joint degree, may apply as first-year doctoral students only.
• There is a limited opportunity for returning graduate students to apply for a graduate research fellowship. Individuals who have (i) completed more than one academic year in a degree-granting program, (ii) earned a previous master’s degree of any kind (including bachelor’s-master’s degree), or (iii) earned a professional degree (e.g., law, medicine) are eligible only if: 1) they have had a continuous interruption in graduate study of at least two consecutive years immediately prior to the application deadline; and 2) are not enrolled in a degree-granting graduate program at the application deadline. ​​
• Applications withdrawn by November 15 of the application year do not count toward the one-time graduate application limit. Applications withdrawn after November 15 count toward this one-time limit.
• Applications not reviewed by NSF (returned without review) do not count toward the one-time graduate application limit
• Fellowships cannot be held or combined concurrently with other federal or government-funded fellowships (e.g., Boren, Fulbright, Fulbright-Hays, SMART, etc.)

Eligible Fields of Study

• Computer & Information Science & Engineering

Engineering

• Geosciences

Life Sciences

• Materials Research
• Mathematical Sciences
• Physics & Astronomy
• Psychology –  except clinical or counseling
• Social Sciences
• STEM Education & Learning Research
• Other: see full list of fields in the Appendix of the 2024 program solicitation

Ineligible Fields of Study

• M.D./Ph.D., J.D./Ph.D. and other joint professional degree-science programs
• Medical, dental, law, and public health programs
• MBA, MPH, MSW, J.D., M.D., DDS and other practice-oriented professional degree programs
• bioengineering research with diagnosis or treatment specific goals which apply engineering principles to problems in biology and medicine;
• bioengineering research to aid persons with disabilities
• Other ineligible fields of study: consult Appendix of the 2024 program solicitation  

Application Information

• Official NSF 2024 program solicitation  
• Research.gov: Application and  Help Desk
• NSFGRF Operations Center  web site  for guidance and  general inquiries

Application Materials & Evaluation The Research.gov application consists of the following:

• Personal, Relevant Background, and Future Goals Statement (3-page maximum)*
• Graduate Research Statement (2-page maximum)*
• Undergraduate and Graduate (if applicable) Transcripts
• Three (3) Letters of Reference (uploaded separately to research.gov by selected referees)

*Applications, and specifically the   two statements , will be evaluated according to the NSF’s stated  “Broader Impacts” and “Intellectual Merit” criteria . Familiarity with these criteria is strongly encouraged. Applicants are advised to read the 2024 program solicitation and to attend the  information sessions  and the  grant-writing workshop series scheduled for August and again in September/October 2023. Early consultation with advisors, letter writers, and Elizabeth George (Coordinating Official), and review of the below Applicant Resources  strongly advised.

The application must be submitted in Research.gov no later than  5:00 p.m. local time, as determined by applicant’s mailing address.

Application Deadlines :

October 16, 2023

October 17, 2023

Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Materials Research, Psychology, Social Sciences, STEM Education and Learning

October 19, 2023

October 20, 2023

Chemistry, Geosciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy

Applicant Resources

Resources Provided by the Graduate School

• NSF GRFP Information Session:   Program Overview  — Prof. William Hahn, September 2020

Resources Provided or Endorsed by the NSF

• NSFGRFP.org , the application processing center, is a great resource for applicants and referees
• Video :  Applying to the NSF GRFP  – NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program

Resources Provided by Other Institutions or Former Fellows

• Video: Applying to the NSF GRF Program (2020) – Provided by NSF GRF Program Directors  — forthcoming!
• NSF-GRFP Insights: Application Resources for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program  – courtesy of Dr. Robin Walker and the University of Missouri
• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program  – Neale Fox
• Advice for Applying for Graduate Science Fellowships  – Philip Guo
• Advice for NSF-GRF Applications  – Mallory P. Ladd
• Helping Students to Tell Their Stories  – James M. Lang
• Leave Dr. Seuss Out of It  –  Female Science Professor
• How to Win a Graduate Fellowship  – Michael Kiparsky
• Where Storytelling Meets Science  – Lesley McCollum and Michelle Lavery
• Video :  5 Tips for Writing a Winning NSF GRF Proposal  – by Ritu Raman
• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship  – Alex Hunter Lang

“Breaking News” & Other Live Guidance on Social Media

• NSF GRFP on   Facebook
• NSF GRFP on  LinkedIn
• NSF GRFP on  Twitter

​Questions?

Please contact Elizabeth George ([email protected]), Georgetown’s NSF GRF Coordinating Official.

Current Fellows

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NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

View guidelines, important information for proposers.

All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in this funding opportunity and in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted. It is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets these requirements. Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.

The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing full-time research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education. The GRFP provides three years of support over a five-year fellowship period for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant research achievements in STEM or STEM education.  NSF actively encourages submission of applications from the full spectrum of diverse talent in STEM.

NSF GRFP was established to recruit and support individuals who demonstrate the potential to make significant contributions in STEM.  Thus, NSF especially encourages applications from undergraduate seniors and Bachelor's degree-holders interested in pursuing research-based graduate study in STEM.  First- and second-year graduate students in eligible STEM fields and degree programs are also encouraged to apply.

Updates and announcements

Revision notes, grfp 2021 program and application information, program contacts.

The Graduate Research Fellowship Operations Center is responsible for processing applications and responding to requests for information.  General inquiries regarding the Graduate Research Fellowship Program should be made to:

Graduate Research Fellowship Operations Center, telephone: 866-NSF-GRFP, 866-673-4737 (toll-free from the US and Canada) or 202-331-3542 (international). email: [email protected]

Program events

• July 18, 2024 - IOS Virtual Office Hour: Graduate Research Fellowship Program
• August 15, 2023 - Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI) Virtual Office…
• August 9, 2023 - MCB Virtual Office Hour: Graduate Research Fellowship Program

Additional program resources

• Non-NSF website with comprehensive information on how to apply, eligibility, phone numbers and email addresses
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program
• Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating Officials
• List of Fellows and Honorable Mentions

Awards made through this program

Organization(s).

• Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO)
• Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE)
• Directorate for STEM Education (EDU)
• Division of Graduate Education (EDU/DGE)
• Directorate for Engineering (ENG)
• Directorate for Geosciences (GEO)
• Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS)
• Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE)
• Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP)
• Office of Integrative Activities (OD/OIA)
• Office of International Science and Engineering (OD/OISE)

What is a Graduate Research (Assistant) Fellow (GRAF or GRF)?

A GRF/ GRAF is not an employee role, but an award given to Graduate Students at Queen’s to financially support them in the completion of their degree. You are paid to carry out tasks that are essential to the completion of your graduate thesis, classes, or project. As in, if you did not do these tasks, you would not be able to graduate. This award can be thought of as similar to a Queen’s Graduate Award (QGA), but related to specific thesis tasks. 

Example 1: You are an MA student in Sociology, and your thesis project explores access to healthcare among university students. You are awarded a GRF/ GRAF in order to undertake online interviews with students that you will use as part of your final thesis project. Without undertaking these interviews, you would not be able to complete your MA project.

Example 2: You are a PhD student in Biology who is in charge of caring for animals used by members of the lab for observations/experiments. While this work may not contribute to your thesis alone, this forms a part of your responsibilities towards your own thesis, and counts as GRF work. Ensure however, that this distribution of responsibilities is even and fair, and that you are not solely contributing labour towards such exercises!

As someone with a GRF/ GRAF award, you receive a T4A tax form, and are not recognised by Queen’s as an employee or unionized worker. You do not receive formal union protection or benefits, and you likely have a lower hourly wage and no paid sick leave. In fact, many GRF/GRAF’s will not provide an hourly wage, but instead are paid out as a lump sum for a promised amount of work (to be done in the future). You do not have access to union protection for workplace issues such as harassment or safety concerns. You may sign a form called a ‘Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) Learning Plan’ at the start of your duties.

GRF/ GRAF awards are only for research tasks that directly contribute to your thesis or project. If your duties are not a part of your own graduate research completion, you should have a GRA contract. 

Why does this matter? Well, GRAs are employees that are unionized as part of PSAC Local 901, which means they have a guaranteed hourly wage, sick pay, health and safety protection, and access to union representation and advocacy. Moreover, only as a GRA will you have access to PSAC 901 bursaries. GRAFs are not recognised as employees by Queen’s (they are technically scholarships) and, as such, are not formally part of the union. They usually have a lower hourly wage and do not receive union protection or benefits.

How can you tell if the university has classified your work as an RA or a GRAF? As an RA, you will have signed a ‘Research Assistant Form’. As a GRAF, you will have signed a ‘Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) Learning Plan’.

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NIJ FY24 Graduate Research Fellowship

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The Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) program provides grants to accredited academic institutions to support outstanding doctoral students whose dissertation research is relevant to criminal or juvenile justice. 

Solicitation Overview

Who may apply.

A university may apply on behalf of a student who is:

• Currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program in the sciences or engineering.
• Proposing dissertation research relevant to criminal or juvenile justice or victimization.

Accredited universities in the U.S. or its territories are eligible. 

Financial support to allow promising students to devote full attention to their dissertation research. The fellowship includes up to 3 years of support over a five-year period:

• $41,000/year in Salary and Fringe
• $16,000/year in Cost of Education Allowance (tuition, fees, indirect or administrative costs)
• $3,000/year in Research Expenses

Maximum Award

Approximately 20 awards, up to $180,000 per award. 

NIJ encourages the following entities to apply

Eligible applicants in all science and engineering fields are encouraged to apply.

NIJ will also give special consideration to proposals from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs); proposals with inclusive research; and proposals that include consideration and measurement of issues of diversity, discrimination, and bias across age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation, as applicable

Research and evaluation topic areas

All topics relevant to criminal or juvenile justice or victimization are welcome. GRF spans the full scope of NIJ’s mission and programs.

Basic Minimum Requirements

The following must be included with the application: 

• Proposal narrative
• Budget web-based form
• Verification of current enrollment
• Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts
• Statement of support from the dissertation committee chair or equivalent
• Biosketches, Curriculum Vitae, or Resumes
• Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire

How to Apply & Tips for Success

Start early! 

The university applies on behalf of the student, so early communication is critical. Most universities have an Office of Sponsored Programs (or similar office) that helps university researchers apply for federal grants. Contact them and start assembling the application documents early.

Other helpful tips:

• Browse past fellows’ abstracts . 
• Clearly articulate the relevance to criminal justice.
• Include preliminary results, if available.
• Experimental design
• Proofread for errors
• Visit the program FAQs .

To apply, the university must first register with the System for Award Management (SAM).  Registration and renewal can take up to 10 business days to complete . Register at:  sam.gov/content/home . 

After registering with SAM , the SF-424 and SF-LLL must be submitted in Grants.gov by 11:59pm eastern time on April 10, 2024 . Submit the SF-424 and SF-LLL as early as possible, but no later than 48 hours before the Grants.gov deadline . 

Finally, the full application , including attachments, must be submitted in JustGrants by 8:59pm eastern time on April 17, 2024 .

See examples of successful applications and other useful information .

Footnote 1 on page 6 has been removed. Questions about whether a degree program qualifies under “sciences or engineering” may be directed to the OJP Response Center. In particular, we would like to clarify that Social Work is considered to be a qualifying degree program field.

Footnote 1 on page 6 has been modified.

Similar Opportunities

• NIJ FY24 Research and Evaluation on School Safety
• NIJ FY 2023 Invited to Apply - Research and Evaluation in Safety, Health, and Wellness in the Criminal Justice System
• NIJ FY23 Research and Evaluation on Policing Practices, Accountability Mechanisms, and Alternatives

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• Document Library

Frequently Asked Questions: Graduate Research Fellowship Program - GRFP Fellowship Terms and Conditions for NSF GRFP Fellows

"Frequently Asked Questions" are not comprehensive. Individuals should refer to the original, policy documents - Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) Program Solicitation ( NSF 12-599 ) and Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating Officials ( NSF 13-085 ) - for official guidance and/or contact the GRFP Institution Coordinating Official (CO) or NSF Program Office ( [email protected] ) to fully address specific questions.

Where do I find assistance with GRFP Fellowship questions and answers?

• How do I update my contact information?
• How do I update my degree information?
• What if I miss deadlines?
• May I defer my Fellowship?
• What is a GRFP month?
• May I go on Reserve and take a leave of absence from my graduate program?
• May I change my Fellowship Start (i.e., Summer to Fall and vice versa) after the Fellowship Year has begun?

Fellow and Institution Eligibility

• I am not a US citizen, national or permanent resident alien and was offered a Fellowship. May I accept it?
• I am currently enrolled in, will enroll in, or will transfer into a graduate program that is listed in the Program Solicitation as ineligible and was offered a Fellowship. May I accept it?
• I am currently enrolled in, will enroll in, or will transfer into a field of study that is listed in the Program Solicitation as ineligible and was offered a Fellowship, may I accept it?
• I am currently enrolled in, will enroll in, or will transfer into a graduate program that is not accredited and was offered a Fellowship. May I accept it?

Fellowship Offers and Acceptance/Declination

• May I delay a year and defer my Fellowship Offer?
• Must I be enrolled as a graduate student at all times?
• I have decided to take a year off to work, travel, etc.; may I defer my Fellowship offer?
• What do I do if I have not been accepted into a graduate program at the time of the Fellowship Offer?
• What happens if I missed the Fellowship acceptance deadline?

Fellowship Start Dates

• I am entering graduate school this fall and will first enroll in the fall; may I receive Summer Stipend payments prior to enrollment?
• How could I be eligible for a "Summer" Start?
• My courses start in mid-August, which start date is appropriate?
• When may I start the Fellowship?

GRFP Institution

• May I enroll in a graduate program at a non-US institution?
• What is a GRFP Institution?
• May I attend any US institution?

Fellowship Year

• How long is the Fellowship Year?
• May a Fellowship Year be broken up into smaller units, such as semesters, quarters, months, etc.?

Satisfactory Academic Progress

• How is academic progress defined?
• How does academic progress affect the Fellowship?
• Where do I report my satisfactory academic progress?
• What if I am placed on academic probation?
• What do I do if I do not have a research advisor at the time my Annual Activities Report needs to be verified by my advisor?

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)

• Do I have to participate in RCR training, if I am on Reserve, just taking classes, or received a Fellowship prior to the 2010 Competition?

Acknowledgment of NSF Support

• When should I acknowledge NSF support?
• How do I acknowledge NSF support?
• Where do I find the NSF Grant Number?

Use of NSF Logo

• Can I use the NSF Logo when acknowledging support?
• Who cannot use the NSF Logo?
• Where can I find Logo usage and standard information?

Service Expectations

• What does NSF expect of me in terms of service?
• I am on Tenure; may I participate in paid/unpaid activities?
• I am on Tenure; may I work an outside job?

Reporting Requirements

• What types of Reports must I file?
• How do I submit reports?
• I am on a Medical Deferral; am I required to submit an Activities Report?
• I am a first-year graduate student and have not joined a research group or started a research project; what do I report on my Activities Report?
• I am on a Military Deferral; am I required to submit an Activities Report?
• I am graduating; am I required to submit an Annual Activities Report?
• I am graduating in December; am I required to submit an Annual Activities Report?
• I am leaving my graduate program; am I required to submit an Annual Activities Report?
• I am not on Tenure; am I required to submit reports?
• Why do I need to include my academic/research advisor information?

Tenure Declaration

• What is "Tenure Declaration"?

Changes in Field of Study (FOS), Degree Plan, or Research Plan

• What is a major versus minor field of study (FOS)?
• What are eligible FOS or degree programs?
• May I pursue an ineligible FOS or degree program while on Reserve status?
• I am a new Fellow, and in my application I indicated I would be pursuing a degree in physics (major FOS); may I now change to a degree program in environmental economics (major FOS)?
• I am a new Fellow, and in my application I indicated I would be pursuing a degree in particle physics (minor FOS); may I now change to a degree program in nuclear physics (minor FOS)?
• I am a new Fellow, and in my application I proposed a specific research project; do I now have to do that specific project?
• I am a Continuing Fellow; may I switch degree programs from electrical engineering (minor FOS) to systems engineering (minor FOS)?
• I am a Continuing Fellow; may I change degree programs from computer engineering (major FOS) to computational biology (major FOS)?
• I am a Continuing Fellow and my research is not working out; may I change projects?
• I am a new Fellow; may I change the degree I proposed in my application?
• I am in a master's degree program and wish to pursue a doctoral degree now; may I change my degree program?
• I am in a doctoral degree program and wish to pursue a master's degree now; may I change my degree program?

GRFP Institution and Institutional Changes

• I am a new Fellow; how will the CO at my proposed graduate institution know about me?
• Does the GRFP Institution of record really matter?
• I am a new Fellow; may I change my proposed graduate institution?
• I am a new Fellow; may I change my proposed graduate institution in the GRFP Database that populates the public listing of GRFP Fellows and Honorable Mentions?
• I am a Continuing Fellow; may I transfer graduate institutions?
• I am planning to change institutions; may I have a break in enrollment?
• At what point in time during the year may I transfer between institutions?

Fellowship Details

• How many years of support do I have?

Fellowship Status Options

• What are my Fellowship Status options?
• What is the time frame for the different statuses?
• How and when can I change statuses?
• How do I choose between statuses from year to year?
• It is past the May 1 deadline for Tenure Declaration; may I change my status?
• I have used my three years of Tenure Status; why should I continue being a Fellow?

Tenure Status

• What is Tenure Status
• Do I have to be enrolled while on Tenure?
• Do I get paid vacation?
• May I take the Summer off and still get paid?
• Do I have to be enrolled in the Summer while on Tenure?
• May I use my Tenure by semester, quarter, etc.?

Reserve Status

• What is Reserve Status?
• May I use my Reserve Status by semester, quarter, etc.?
• May I participate or enroll in ineligible activities or degree programs while on Reserve?
• Do I have to be enrolled while on Reserve?
• Do I have to submit Activities Reports while on Reserve?
• May I take the summer off while on Reserve?
• I am on Reserve; may I take a leave of absence from my graduate program ?
• Once I have used my two years of Reserve Status; what are my Status options?
• Once I have used my three years of Tenure Status; what are my Status options?

Forfeit Status

• What is Forfeit Status?
• Does Forfeit affect the Cost-of-Education (COE) allowance?
• Can Forfeit Status be used in monthly increments?
• Do I have to be engaged in my graduate program while on Forfeit?
• Do I have to submit Activities Reports while on Forfeit?
• May I take the summer off and Forfeit?

Military Deferral Status

• What is Military Deferral Status?
• How long may I remain in Military Deferral?
• Do I need to be on Military Deferral to participate in required military training?
• Do I have to submit Activities Reports while on Military Deferral?
• Can Military Deferral Status be used in monthly increments?
• Does Military Deferral Status affect the Stipend and COE allowance?
• What happens to the"deferred" months from a Military Deferral?
• Do I have to be enrolled while on Military Deferral?
• How do I request a Military Deferral?
• Do I need to renew my Military Deferral?

Medical Deferral Status

• What is Medical Deferral Status?
• When can a Medical Deferral take place?
• Is there Family Leave available?
• What is the definition of family?
• Can Medical Deferral Status be used in monthly increments?
• Is there a paid Medical Deferral option?
• Is there a limit on the paid Medical Deferral?
• Are Medical Deferrals available in weekly increments?
• Do I have to be on Tenure, to receive a paid Medical Deferral?
• Is there a limit on the number of times that a Medical Deferral can be requested?
• What happens to the"deferred" months from a Medical Deferral?
• Do I have to submit Activities Reports while on Medical Deferral?
• Do I have to be enrolled while on Medical Deferral?
• Does a Medical Deferral affect the Cost-of-Education (COE) allowance?
• How do I request a Medical Deferral?
• Do I need to renew my Medical Deferral?

Tenure Beyond Degree Completion

• If I have eligibility left in my five year Fellowship, may I remain a GRFP Fellow after graduation?
• I am completing a Master's/Doctoral Degree and have not used all of my Tenure eligibility; may I continue to be paid?
• I am completing a Master's/Doctoral Degree and have not used all of my Reserve eligibility; may I continue to participate in GRFP activities?
• I am completing a Master's/Doctoral Degree and have not used all of my Tenure eligibility; may I continue to be paid while I finish research, publications, presentations, etc.?
• I am completing a Master's and continuing on for a doctoral degree in an NSF-approved degree program. I have not used all of my Fellowship; may I continue as a Fellow on Tenure/Reserve?
• I am completing a Master's and continuing on for a doctoral/professional degree in an ineligible degree program. I have not used all of my Fellowship; may I continue as a Fellow on Tenure/Reserve?

Fellowship Completion

• Do Fellowships expire?
• I have used my three years of Tenure; may I continue participating in GRFP activities?
• I have completed my doctoral degree and still have Tenure eligibility; may I be considered an NSF postdoc?

Fellowship Termination

• Who can Terminate a Fellowship?
• Under what circumstances does the GRFP Institution or NSF Terminate a Fellowship?
• What are the most common causes of Fellowship Termination
• I need to discontinue my Fellowship; what do I do?
• If I Terminate my Fellowship during a Tenure Year, how much do I get paid?

Other Support

• What is the difference between a Fellowship, assistantship and traineeship?
• What is a Federal Fellowship?
• What is Graduate Research Opportunities Worldwide (GROW)?
• Where can I find more information on GROW?
• I received a GRFP Fellowship Offer and currently have a Federal Fellowship (DOE, EPA, etc.); may I accept the GRFP Fellowship?
• I received a GRFP Fellowship Offer and currently have a Federal Fellowship (DOE, EPA, etc.); what are my options?
• Where can I find funding for my Reserve Years?
• May I be supported by a Traineeship (e.g., NIH, IGERT, etc.) while on Reserve?
• May I accept or be paid from a private Foundation Fellowship?
• How much is the Fellowship Stipend?
• I am graduating in May (nine months of Tenure); how much will I be paid?
• When will I be paid?
• Will withholdings (taxes, insurance, Social Security, FICA, etc.) be taken out of my Stipend checks?
• No taxes were withheld from my Stipend payments; am I still responsible for taxes?
• My GRFP Institution pays me 6 months at a time, and I am graduating in May (nine months into this Fellowship Year); am I entitled to the full Stipend amount?
• Under what circumstances are Stipend payments withheld?
• Are Stipends taxable?
• Will NSF provide tax advice?
• Are Fellows employees of the NSF
• Given that I am paid by the Federal Government, do I still have a tax liability on my Stipend?
• Will NSF issue W-2 or 1099 forms?
• May I also be paid (supplement my Stipend) from a university or private Fellowship?
• May I be paid (supplement my Stipend) as a teaching or research assistant on top of my Stipend?
• May I have an outside job?
• Does the NSF GRFP Fellowship provide funds for my research project?
• May I accept funding for my research project?
• I have responsibility for another individual (e.g., spouse, child, or parent); is there an "add-on" to my Stipend?
• Does the Fellowship cover living expenses?

Cost-of-Education (COE) Allowance

• What is the COE allowance?
• How much is the COE allowance?
• What expenses may be charged by the GRFP Institution?
• Is the COE allowance mine to spend?
• May my health insurance be charged to the COE allowance?
• May the COE be used for application fees, last semester's tuition, etc.?

Tuition and Fees

• I am on Tenure; do I pay tuition and fees?
• I am on Tenure; is my GRFP Institution permitted to charge me the difference between the COE and the required tuition and fees?
• I am on Tenure; do I pay student fees?
• I am on Reserve; do I pay tuition and fees?
• I am a veteran; may I also accept educational benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Fellowship Resources

• How do I access the cyberinfrastructure resources through XSEDE?
• My disability requires special assistance or equipment; is there funding available?

Academic/Research Advisors Responsibilities

• What are my advisor's responsibilities?

• The GRFP Institution CO is the first point of contact for all Fellowship questions.
• Fellowship offers are made to individuals, and financial awards are made to institutions.
• GRFP Fellowship Terms and Conditions are governed by the GRFP Fellowship Offer Letter, Program Solicitation and Administrative Guide for Fellows and Coordinating Officials.
• GRFP Institutional Award Terms and Conditions are governed by the GRFP Award Letter, which incorporates all relevant policy documents.
• The GRFP FastLane Module is used for all transactions and has extensive "how to" help .
• The NSF GRFP website has the Fellowship training materials and other opportunities of interest.
• The GRFP Office can be reached at [email protected] .

Edit your profile in the GRFP FastLane Module.

This information can be updated in the Annual Activities Report.

Failure to meet the established GRFP Deadlines will result in Termination (loss) of the Fellowship. When in doubt, you are strongly encouraged to contact your CO.

No. There is no general Fellowship deferral - only approved Military or Medical Deferrals. Deferrals are different from Reserve years. While on deferral, a Fellow's clock stops, i.e., the remaining time available for Tenure or Reserve periods is not affected. Reserve years are counted in the 5-year period allowed for the Fellowship.

A GRFP month is 14 or more days in a calendar month.

No, there is no leave-of-absence status. Only approved Military or Medical Deferrals are allowed.

No retroactive changes are permitted. Fellowship starting date may only be changed at the time of Tenure declaration when going from Tenure to Reserve status, or vice versa.

No. Applicants certify that they were eligible with respect to citizenship by the application deadline. Non US citizens are not eligible for the GRFP Fellowship Program, and GRFP Institutions may not use the GRFP Award to fund ineligible individuals. NSF refers such cases to the Office of the Inspector General for investigation.

No. GRFP Institutions may not use the GRFP Award to fund individuals in ineligible programs or fields of study. Eligibility criteria are detailed in the Program Solicitation and reiterated in the Guide.

GRFP Awards may only be made to accredited, US universities, colleges, or non-profit academic institutions of higher education offering advanced degrees in science and engineering. Because institutional accreditation questions are complex, please contact the GRFP Office via [email protected] for guidance.

In general there are to be no delays in the start of your graduate program, beyond NSF-approved Military and Medical Deferrals.

If an unusual research or educational opportunity arises that would necessitate the Fellow being unenrolled for part or all of a year of graduate study, the Fellow should consult with the CO, who must confirm that the opportunity furthers the Graduate Fellow's educational and degree progress. For Fellows who are pursuing activities where institutional enrollment is not required or permitted, the non-enrollment period is subject to the approval of the CO. By retaining the Fellow on their Grants Roster , the GRFP institution approves the specific arrangement of non-enrollment status. A non-enrolled Fellow can be on Tenure or Reserve Status. In all cases, the expectation is that the Fellow is engaged full-time, working toward completion of an eligible graduate degree.

No. To accept the Fellowship offer, you must be accepted to and planning to enroll full time in an eligible graduate program no later than the fall immediately following the Fellowship offer. There are to be no delays in the start of your graduate program, beyond documented and NSF-approved Military and Medical deferrals. Reserve status is not a deferral option.

Unless you are accepted to a graduate program before the May 1 acceptance deadline and intending to enroll full-time in the Fall immediately following the Fellowship offer, you may not accept the Fellowship. If you decline the Fellowship by the May 1 deadline, you may reapply for the Fellowship in subsequent competitions, providing you continue to meet the eligibility criteria detailed in the Program Solicitation. If you do not respond by the deadline, you are ineligible to re-apply to future GRFP Competitions.

The Fellowship Offers not acted on by the deadline (May 1) are revoked and will not be reinstated. In addition, you are ineligible to re-apply to future GRFP Competitions.

No. Stipend payments require Fellows be enrolled full-time and fully engaged in their graduate program. In this situation, Fellows are only eligible for a "Fall" Start.

To be eligible to receive Stipend Payments during the summer, Fellows are expected to be actively engaged in their graduate program through coursework or research under the direction of an Academic/Research Advisor, with summer enrollment status as required by the GRFP Institution.

Fall. Upon accepting the Fellowship, the Fellow selects Summer/June 1 or Fall/September 1 to coincide with the approximate graduate program enrollment (e.g., Fall for Fellows starting graduate school in August/September/October).

The exact starting date of graduate study is mutually determined by the Fellow and the CO, in accordance with the Fellowship policies.

Yes, but you must be affiliated with a degree program at a US Institution. The Fellows Abroad option allowing a Fellow to be affiliated solely with a non-US institution was discontinued after the 2010 Competition, in favor of offering more substantive international research experiences for Fellows (e.g. GROW ). Fellows are, however, encouraged to take part in NSF-provided opportunities and other study abroad programs approved by their institutions. See nsfgrfp.org for other funding opportunities. In cases where a Fellow studies abroad during part or all of the academic year, the Fellow may choose to be on Tenure or Reserve if the CO approves the study abroad period as furthering the Graduate Fellow's educational and degree progress. These study abroad periods may include field courses, extended workshops, and other activities as deemed appropriate by the CO and the GRFP institution. While Fellows must be affiliated with a US-based institution, NSF encourages graduate students to establish collaborative relationships with international researchers.

The term "GRFP Institution" refers to those US higher education institutions that currently have GRFP Fellows. Generally, any accredited, US university, college, or non-profit academic institution of higher education offering advanced degrees in science and engineering may be approved by NSF as a GRFP Institution.

GRFP Awards may only be made to accredited, US universities, colleges, or non-profit academic institutions of higher education offering advanced degrees in science and engineering. Because institution accreditation questions are complex, please contact the GRFP Office via [email protected] for guidance.

Each Fellowship Year is comprised of twelve months.

No. Each Fellowship Year is comprised of twelve months.

Satisfactory Academic Progress refers to academic degree progress and is defined by the Fellow's GRFP Institution.

Fellows certified by the CO to be making unsatisfactory academic progress will have their Fellowships terminated by NSF.

Fellows are required to submit an Annual Activities report that documents their activities, accomplishments, progress and productivity for each fellowship year. The Annual Activities Report must be reviewed and approved by the Academic/Research Advisor by signing the Academic/Research Advisor Confirmation form. The Fellows complete the Annual Activities Report and upload the signed confirmation form in FASTLANE. The Satisfactory Academic Progress is certified in FASTLANE by the Coordinating Official (CO), which is generally the graduate dean or similar university administrator.

Satisfactory Academic progress is defined and certified by the GRFP Institution. In these circumstances, Fellows should speak with their CO and/or the GRFP Award PI.

If you don't have an Advisor the Report may be verified by the department/program director of graduate studies or similar, appropriate departmental/program administrator.

Regardless of status, all Fellows supported by NSF to conduct research are required to receive appropriate training and oversight in the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (effective with the 2010 Competition). Fellows whose Fellowship Offers were prior to the 2010 Competition are strongly encouraged to participate in such training, and their GRFP Institutions may require this training. Fellows should check with the CO about the RCR training requirements at their institutions.

All publications, presentations, and creative works based on activities conducted during the Fellowship must acknowledge NSF GRFP support.

The Fellow is responsible for assuring that an acknowledgement of NSF support is made:

• in any publication (including Web pages) of any material based on or developed during the fellowship in the following terms:
• "This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program under Grant No. (NSF grant number)."
• NSF support also must be orally acknowledged during all news media interviews, including popular media such as radio, television and news magazines.

Fellows should obtain the NSF grant number from their CO. It will be the"base award number" on the five-year, GRFP grant.

The NSF's logo can be used by recipients of NSF support for the sole pupose of acknowledging that support. The NSF logo can be used to link to an NSF website to acknowledge NSF assistance or affiliation.

NSF's logo cannot be used in a manner that falsely implies employment by or affiliation with NSF. NSF's logo cannot be used to imply or endorse a product or service.

The NSF logo usage guidelines provide information can be found at https://www.nsf.gov/policies/logos.jsp

NSF requires no formal service of Fellows, beyond the expectation that Fellows meet Fellowship requirements and are actively engaged in their graduate programs, research, and broader impact activities throughout the Fellowship at the GRFP Institution, irrespective of their Tenure Status. Fellows also agree to cooperate in GRFP Evaluations conducted by the NSF and/or contracted evaluators.

Fellows are expected to devote full time to advanced scientific study or work during tenure. However, because it is generally accepted that teaching or similar activity constitutes a valuable part of the education and training of many graduate students, a Fellow may choose to undertake a reasonable amount of such teaching or similar activity, without NSF approval. It is expected that furtherance of the Fellow's educational objectives and the gain of substantive teaching or other experience, not service to the institution as such, will govern such activities.

Compensation for such activities is determined by the GRFP institution and is based on the institution's general employment policies. Fellows are required to check with their GRFP institution about specific policies pertaining to GRFP fellowship and paid activities.

Outside employment is not governed by the NSF. Fellows should check with their CO about specific institution policies.

Irrespective of Status, all Continuing Fellows are required to submit two reports by May 1 each year: an Annual/Final Activities Report and Fellowship Year Tenure Declaration. As part of the Annual Activities Report, an Academic/Research Advisor Confirmation Form that confirms satisfactory academic progress toward the degree must be signed by the advisor and uploaded by the Fellow.

All reports are submitted via the GRFP FastLane Module.

Irrespective of Status, all Continuing Fellows are required to submit an Annual/Final Activities Report by May 1 each year. For full-year deferrals, the text box field in the Activities Report in the GRFP FastLane Module need only contain"no activities to report due to medical deferral," if appropriate.

Fellows should report on their degree progress (e.g., coursework, lab rotations, etc.).

Irrespective of Status, all Continuing Fellows are required to submit an Annual/Final Activities Report by May 1 each year. For full-year deferrals, the text box field in the Activities Report in the GRFP FastLane Module need only contain"no activities to report due to military deferral," if appropriate.

Yes. Fellows graduating (Completing) their Fellowship during the year are required to submit a Final Activities report within 30 days of Completion/Termination as part of the Fellowship Terms and Conditions.

Yes. Fellows graduating (Completing) their Fellowship during the year are required to submit a Final Activities report within 30 days of Completion/Termination as part of the Fellowship Terms and Conditions. The Activities Reports module is available throughout the year.

Yes. Fellows discontinuing (Terminating) their Fellowship are required to submit a Final Activities report within 30 days of Completion/Termination. The Activities Reports are available throughout the year.

Yes. Irrespective of Status, all Continuing Fellows are required to submit two reports by May 1 each year: an Annual/Final Activities Report and Fellowship Year Tenure Declaration.

The Academic/Research Advisors review Fellow Annual Activities Reports and sign the Academic/Research Advisor Confirmation Form, which verifies Fellow satisfactory academic progress. Academic advisors may be the department/program director of graduate studies or similar, appropriate departmental/program administrator.

The Academic or Research Advisors review Fellow Annual Activities Reports and verify Fellow satisfactory academic progress. Academic advisors may be the department/program director of graduate studies or similar, appropriate departmental/program administrator.

For each Fellowship year, Fellows must inform the GRFP Office of their intent to use the Fellowship financial resources (Stipend and COE) by "declaring tenure" in the GRFP FastLane Module. Funds are disbursed to the GRFP Institutions based on the information provided. Failure to Declare Tenure by the deadline will result in Termination of the Fellowship. Terminated Fellowships may not be reinstated.

For GRFP purposes, the major FOS are Chemistry; Computer And Information Science And Engineering; Engineering; Geosciences; Life Sciences; Mathematical Sciences; Materials Research, Physics And Astronomy; Psychology; Social Sciences; and STEM Education and Learning Research. The minor FOS are the listings under each heading . Generally in policy documents, major FOS are the bolded and capitalized headings and minor FOS are listings under each heading.

The GRFP supports graduate students pursuing research-based graduate degrees in graduate programs that are within the scope of the Agency's mission. With some specifically noted exceptions, practice-oriented professional degrees, joint professional degree-science, medical, dental, law, public health, clinical, counseling, business administration/management, social work, education or history programs are not eligible. The Program Solicitation and Guide specifically address the degree programs and research thrusts that are outside of the Foundation's mission. Please see these policy documents or contact the NSF Program Office for additional guidance.

No. Reserve status requires that Fellows actively engage in an NSF-eligible FOS and graduate degree program.

No. Acceptance of the Fellowship is an explicit agreement that the Fellow will be affiliated with an NSF-approved graduate degree program in the FOS indicated in the application. Given that applications are reviewed in the context of disciplinary norms, major FOS changes are not permitted.

This is a minor FOS change and is subject to the approval of the CO, using the GRFP FastLane Module.

No, not as long as your degree program and research project both remain in the same major FOS proposed in your application and there is no minor FOS change. If there is a minor FOS change in either the degree program or research project, it is subject to the approval of the CO, using the GRFP FastLane Module.

This is a major change in FOS and constitutes a "change in scope" - one that alters the program to the extent that it is significantly different from that originally submitted with the Fellowship Application. Such changes require the prior written approval of the CO and NSF. Using the GRFP FastLane Module for submission, a change-in-scope request requires significant and compelling justifications for approval.

Approval is required if the project change involves minor or major changes in FOS. Minor FOS changes in research projects are subject to the approval of the CO, using the GRFP FastLane Module. If the research project change is significant and a major change in FOS, this constitutes a "change in scope" - one that alters the project to the extent that it is significantly different. Such changes require the prior written approval of the CO and NSF. Using the GRFP FastLane Module for submission, changes-in-scope requests require significant and compelling justifications for approval.

Fellows do not need to request approval to change between a master's and a doctoral degree when there is no FOS change. Fellows should update their GRFP FastLane profile to reflect the appropriate degree.

Fellows do not need to request NSF approval to change between a master's and a doctoral degree when there is no field of study or institutional change. Fellows should update their GRFP FastLane profile to reflect the appropriate degree.

Fellows do not need to request approval to change between a master's and a doctoral degree when there is no field of study or institutional change. Fellows should update their GRFP FastLane profile to reflect the appropriate degree.

It is particularly important for new Fellows to confirm that their GRFP Record properly reflects their graduate GRFP Institution. If your institution is listed correctly when you Accept and Declare Tenure, your name will populate the correct GRFP FastLane institutional Grants Roster that is reviewed by the CO.

Yes. Because Fellowship funding is made through an Award to the GRFP Institution on record, Fellows with incorrect institutional affiliations risk delay or forfeiture of Stipend payments.

Yes. Please note that the new proposed institution must be approved by NSF and is subject to the aforementioned institutional eligibility requirements (e.g., US, accredited, etc.). A Change Request is submitted by the Fellow and approved by the CO at the new GRFP Institution, and by NSF. It is the Fellow's responsibility to arrange for admission to the institution in a manner that allows the Fellow to meet relevant NSF deadlines.

No. This is automatically populated based on the application records, and historical records are not changed.

Yes. Please note that the new proposed institution must be approved by NSF and is subject to the aforementioned institutional eligibility requirements (e.g., US, accredited, etc.). A Change Request is submitted by the Fellow and is approved by the COs at the current and at the new GRFP Institution, and by NSF. It is the Fellow's responsibility to arrange for admission to the institution in a manner that allows the Fellow to meet relevant NSF deadlines. Any additional changes to FOS, degree program, etc. may also require additional approvals.

When transitioning from one GRFP Institution to another, Fellows should not plan to have a significant break in enrollment. Full-time engagement in a graduate research program is expected; therefore, any break exceeding one month requires prior NSF approval. Enrollment breaks between graduate programs or GRFP Institutions exceeding three or more months are generally not approved, and if approved, may require forfeiture of Stipend payments.

There is no specific time designated for this action. However, such transfers should be judiciously planned to ensure all approvals are obtained in a timely manner and Fellowship policies are followed. Fellows should keep in mind that a significant break in enrollment may not be approved; Stipend payments may be forfeited; etc. The Fellow must submit a Tenure Change Request to NSF.

The Fellowship Period is five years maximum, unless there is a Military or Medical Deferral. The Fellowship provides up to three years of financial support (Tenure: Stipend and institutional Cost-of-Education Allowance) and up to two additional years (Reserve) with no financial support and continued access to other aspects of GRFP ( Graduate Research Opportunities Worldwide , professional development pilot programs, XSEDE , etc.).

During the Fellowship Period, Fellows must be in one of the following Fellowship Statuses: Tenure, Reserve, Forfeit, Medical Deferral, or Military Deferral.

During the Fellowship Period (five-year maximum), the Fellowship provides up to three Tenure years of financial support (Stipend and institutional Cost-of-Education Allowance) and two Reserve Years. Tenure and Reserve Statuses are only assigned on an annual basis (12-month increments).

A Fellow may change between statuses from one year to the next, but may only change the Fellowship Year start (Summer or Fall) when switching between Statuses (e.g., Reserve to Tenure). The Tenure Declaration deadline is May 1.

With the assistance of an Academic/Research Advisor, Fellows should plan for the judicious use of Fellowship resources (annual Statuses) at the beginning of their Fellowship.

Retroactive changes are not permitted after the May 1 deadline. This applies regardless of whether the Fellowship year has begun. If an extraordinary opportunity arises, the Fellow should have the GRFP Institution and CO contact the NSF Program Office for guidance.

A Fellow may choose to go on Reserve to continue to participate in Fellowship opportunities, such as new pilot professional development programs, international research experiences, use of XSEDE Resources, etc.

Fellowship Tenure Status is the period of time during which Fellows actively utilize Fellowship Support - receiving a Stipend and/or institutional COE. Tenure Status ensures that Fellows have the resources (time and financial support) to devote full-time effort to their graduate programs of study. Tenure includes periods of full-time research and/or coursework under the direction of an Academic/Research Advisor at the GRFP Institution, whether or not the GRFP Institution is in session, as well as any normal, short vacation periods.

Fellows on Tenure are normally enrolled full-time in a graduate degree program at their GRFP Institution. Full-time status is established by each GRFP Institution and may include reduced course load requirements, such as following admission to candidacy or equivalent status. For Fellows who are pursuing activities where institutional enrollment is not required or permitted, the CO and GRFP Institution must agree to keep the Fellow on their Grants Roster and to approve the specific arrangement of non-enrollment status. A non-enrolled Fellow can be on Tenure or Reserve Status. In all cases, the expectation is that the Fellow is engaged full-time, working toward completion of an eligible graduate degree.

Tenure includes periods of full-time research and/or coursework, as well as any normal, short vacation periods.

No. Summer is not considered a "short vacation period."

No. Fellowship Tenure Status is granted in 12-month increments corresponding to a Fellowship Year (Summer or Fall Start) and may not be broken into smaller units spread across more than one year, except in cases of NSF-approved Medical or Military Deferral. Portions of a Tenure year cannot be deferred for later use.

Fellows are expected to devote full time to advanced scientific study or work during tenure. However, because it is generally accepted that teaching or similar activity constitutes a valuable part of the education and training of many graduate students, a Fellow may choose to undertake a reasonable amount of such teaching or similar activity. It is expected that furtherance of the Fellow's educational objectives and the gain of substantive teaching or other experience, not service to the institution as such, will govern such activities. Compensation for such activities is determined by the GRFP institution and is based on the institution's general employment policies. Fellows are required to check with their GRFP institution about specific policies pertaining to GRFP fellowship and paid activities.

Reserve Status ensures that Fellows have the flexibility of incorporating professional development opportunities (e.g., research assistantships, teaching assistantships, internships, etc.) into their graduate programs. Fellows may use Reserve Status to postpone Fellowship Support for up to two years, in 12-month increments, during the five-year Fellowship Period. Fellows on Reserve Status must remain actively engaged in full-time research and/or coursework, leading to an eligible graduate degree in an NSF-supported field.

No. Fellowship Reverse Status is granted in 12-month increments corresponding to a Fellowship Year (Summer or Fall Start) and may not be broken into smaller units spread across more than one year, except in cases of NSF-approved Medical or Military Deferral. Portions of an unused Reserve year cannot be held for later use.

No. Fellows on Reserve must remain actively engaged in full-time research and/or coursework, leading to an eligible graduate degree in an NSF-supported field.

Fellows on Reserve are normally enrolled full-time in a graduate degree program at their GRFP Institution. Full-time status is established by each GRFP Institution and may include reduced course load requirements, such as following admission to candidacy or equivalent status. In cases where a Fellow has a period of non-enrollment during the academic year, the Fellow may be on Reserve status only if the CO approves the non-enrollment period as part of the Fellow's graduate education program and normal degree progress. These non-enrollment periods may include field courses, extended workshops, and other activities as deemed appropriate by the CO and the Fellow's institution and conforming to the terms of the Guide.

No. Summer is not considered a "short vacation period. Fellows on Reserve must remain actively engaged in full-time research, coursework, or professional development opportunities (e.g., research assistantships, teaching assistantships, internships, etc.), leading to an eligible graduate degree in an NSF-supported field.

No. Fellows on Reserve are enrolled full-time in a graduate degree program at their GRFP Institution. Full-time status is established by each GRFP Institution and may include reduced course load requirements, such as following admission to candidacy or equivalent status. In cases where a Fellow has a period of non-enrollment during the academic year, the Fellow may be on Reserve status only if the CO approves the non-enrollment period as part of the Fellow's graduate education program and normal degree progress. These non-enrollment periods may include field courses, extended workshops, and other activities as deemed appropriate by the CO and the Fellow's institution and conforming to the terms of the Guide.

Fellows not on NSF-approved Military or Medical Deferrals who have used two years of Reserve Status must choose Tenure or Forfeit Status for subsequent years.

If the Fellow is in the final year of Tenure (completing 36 months of financial support) with Reserve left, he/she may choose to go on Reserve, to continue to participate in Fellowship opportunities, or Terminate the Fellowship (i.e., surrender the two remaining years of Fellowship eligibility on Reserve). Terminated Fellowships will not be reinstated.

Any months of funding not utilized during a year of Tenure are Forfeit (lost). Fellows on Forfeit Status must remain full-time students and be actively engaged in research and/or coursework, leading to an eligible graduate degree in an NSF-supported field. Annual Activities Reports are required during Forfeit Status.

Yes. The institutional COE allowance is calculated by the number of months that a Fellow is on Tenure.

Yes. Because Forfeit Status is the forfeiture or loss of Stipend Payments, a portion of a Tenure Year can be Forfeited in monthly increments.

Yes. Fellows with Forfeit Status remain actively engaged in a graduate degree program at their GRFP Institution; they are just not receiving Stipend Payments. For Fellows who are pursuing activities where institutional enrollment is not required or permitted, the GRFP Institution must agree to keep the Fellow on their Grants Roster and to approve the specific arrangement of non-enrollment status. This is a rare occurrence and is not a general deferral option - NSF must approve any non-enrollment Forfeit statuses for Fellows.

Fellows with Forfeit Status must be actively engaged in a graduate degree program at their GRFP Institution. Summer is not considered a "short vacation period." NSF must approve any non-enrollment Forfeit statuses for Fellows.

Military Deferral is intended for Fellows who must interrupt their graduate studies for Active Duty. Fellows must request Military Deferrals, via the GRFP FastLane module, and submit a copy of their duty orders to the CO at the GRFP Institution. The GRFP Institution must agree to keep the Fellow on their Grants Roster.

Military Deferral must be renewed each year, and a new copy of duty orders must be submitted to the CO at the GRFP Institution. Failure to renew Military Deferral Status may result in Termination of the Fellowship. The GRFP Institution must agree to keep the Fellow on their Grants Roster. While on deferral, a Fellow's clock stops, i.e., the remaining time available for Tenure or Reserve periods is not affected.

No. Within a given Fellowship Year, duly authorized military service or training is permitted without penalty to the Fellow with the approval of the CO and NSF, if the service does not compromise the Fellow's enrollment status and degree progress.

Irrespective of Status, all Continuing Fellows are required to submit two reports by May 1 each year: an Annual/Final Activities Report and Fellowship Year Tenure Declaration. Because of the unique nature of Military Deferrals and potential difficulty in filing reports, Fellows are advised to discuss reporting requirements with their CO prior to Deferral. For full-year deferrals, the text box field in the Activities Report in the GRFP FastLane Module need only contain "no activities to report due to military deferral," if appropriate.

Yes. Military Deferrals can be granted for all or part of a Fellowship Year, in monthly increments.

Yes. Military Deferral is intended for Fellows who must interrupt their graduate studies for Active Duty. Therefore, no Stipend or COE allowance is utilized.

The unused, deferred months are available for use at a later date, and current Fellowship Terms apply.

In cases of an NSF-approved Military Deferral, active enrollment is not required; however, the GRFP Institution must agree to keep the Fellow on their Grants Roster.

Fellows must request Military Deferrals, via the GRFP FastLane module, and submit a copy of their duty orders to the CO at the GRFP Institution.

Yes. Military Deferral must be renewed each year, and a new copy of duty orders must be submitted to the CO at the GRFP Institution. Failure to renew Military Deferral Status may result in Termination of the Fellowship.

Medical Deferrals may be requested when an extended absence (more than one month) is necessary due to serious illness or other medical condition (mental or physical health) or when dependent-care (family leave) situations prevent full-time Fellowship Activity for an extended period. The GRFP Institution must agree to keep the Fellow on their Grants Roster. While on deferral, a Fellow's clock stops, i.e., the remaining time available for Tenure or Reserve periods is not affected.

Fellows may be granted a Medical Deferral for all or part of a Tenure or Reserve Year.

Yes. Medical Deferrals may be requested when an extended absence (more than one month) is necessary due to medical (mental or physical health) or dependent-care (family leave) situations. NSF considers dependent care to include child care, adoption, maternity/paternity leave, elder care, and extended family illness.

Family refers to immediate family members - spouse/partner, child, dependent, sibling, or parent.

Yes. Medical Deferrals can be granted for all or part of a Fellowship Year,in monthly increments.

For Fellows on Tenure with an NSF-approved Medical Deferral, there is a limited paid leave option: (1) If the GRFP Institution's graduate student leave policies allow for paid leave, those leave policies apply; or (2) In the absence of paid graduate student leave policies at the GRFP Institution, Fellows may continue to receive stipend payments for a period not to exceed three months total during the three Tenure Years. The three months may be broken up into shorter, monthly time frames across multiple Tenure Years (e.g., use of two months of Stipend under Medical Deferral in Tenure Year 1 and one month in Tenure Year 3).

Fellows may include a request for 1, 2 or 3 months paid Leave with the medical deferral request submitted through the GRFP Fastlane Module.

Yes. For Fellows on Tenure with an NSF-approved Medical Deferral, the limits are set by the formal GRFP Institution Policies, or in the absence of such policies, the limit is three months. The three months may be broken up into shorter, monthly time frames across multiple Tenure Years.

No. Medical Deferrals may be requested when an extended absence (more than one month) is necessary due to serious illness or other medical condition (mental or physical health) or when dependent-care (family leave) situations prevent full-time Fellowship Activity for an extended period. Medical Deferrals are taken in monthly increments.

Yes. Fellows on Tenure with an NSF-approved Medical Deferral may continue to receive stipend payments as detailed in the Guide .

No. Fellows can request Medical Deferrals as needed Approval is based on the documentation provided to the CO supporting the purpose of a Medical Deferral.

The unused, deferred months are available for use at a later date, and current Fellowship Terms and Conditions apply.

Irrespective of Status, all Continuing Fellows are required to submit two reports by May 1 each year: an Annual/Final Activities Report and Fellowship Year Tenure Declaration. Because of the unique nature of Medical Deferrals, Fellows are advised to discuss reporting requirements with their CO prior to Deferral. For full-year deferrals, the text box field in the Activities Report in the GRFP FastLane Module need only contain "no activities to report due to medical deferral," if appropriate.

In cases of an NSF-approved Medical Deferral, active enrollment is not required; however, the GRFP Institution must agree to keep the Fellow on their Grants Roster.

To request Medical Deferrals, Fellows should first contact their CO and secure an institutionally approved medical or family leave based on the GRFP Institution's graduate student leave policies. Using the GRFP FastLane Module, Fellows must formally submit a Request for a Medical Deferral. The Request should provide an estimate of the length of time (in whole months) needed for the approved Deferral, which will establish the time period to be recorded for the Deferral. The nature of the medical or family situation need not be disclosed to NSF in the documentation provided. The Deferral Request is approved by the CO and forwarded to NSF for final review and approval. The GRFP Institution retains relevant documentation indicating that the condition merits a Medical Deferral.

Yes. A Medical Deferral must be renewed if the Medical Deferral extends into a new Fellowship Year. Failure to renew a Medical Deferral Status may result in Termination of the Fellowship.

Only Fellows who have not completed their five-year Fellowship Period and are completing a Master's degree have the option of continuing their original Fellowship by enrolling in an NSF-approved doctoral degree program.

No. There is no continued Fellowship support upon degree completion and under no circumstance is the GRFP Fellowship considered a Postdoctoral Fellowship or employment by NSF. No Fellowship will be extended past the final academic term of graduate study leading to a graduate degree, except as detailed in the Guide where a Master's degree leads to enrollment in a doctoral degree program.

No Fellowship will be extended past the final academic term of graduate study leading to a graduate degree, except as detailed in the Guide where a Master's degree leads to enrollment in a doctoral degree program. There is no continued Fellowship support upon degree completion and under no circumstance is the GRFP Fellowship considered a Postdoctoral Fellowship or employment by NSF.

GRFP Fellows who have not completed their five-year Fellowship Period and are completing a Master's degree have the option of continuing their original Fellowship by enrolling in an NSF-approved doctoral degree program. To remain a Fellow, the Fellow must be accepted into a doctoral program upon completion of the Master's degree; the transition period between degree programs generally may not exceed three months; and the Fellow must request NSF approval and complete any required actions. During the transition period, Tenure (on Tenure Fellows) or Reserve (on Reserve Fellows) months are forfeited. Requests with supporting documentation should be sent to [email protected] .

No. GRFP Fellows who have not completed their five-year Fellowship Period and are completing a Master's degree have the option of continuing their original Fellowship by enrolling in an NSF-approved doctoral degree program.

Yes. The Fellowship expires upon completion of 36 months of Stipend Payments, three years Tenure Status, or five years after Fellowship start, whichever comes first. The default is to complete the Fellowship after 36 months of financial support; Fellows wanting to be placed on Reserve for the following year must request this status by emailing [email protected] by May 1. Completed Fellows (i.e., used 36 months of Stipend Payments prior to the five-year Fellowship Period) with one or two years of Reserve status unused may continue to take part in future Fellowship opportunities, such as Graduate Research Opportunities Worldwide (GROW). To do so, Fellows must Declare Tenure or contact the Program Office [email protected] by the subsequent Tenure Declaration Deadline. Reserve status will be granted if the Fellow has not utilized two years of Reserve status and is still within the 5-year period of the Fellowship.

Yes. Completed Fellows (i.e., used 36 months of Stipend Payments prior to the five-year Fellowship Period) wishing to remain on Reserve Status (must have unused Reserve Years) to continue to take part in future Fellowship opportunities, such as the Nordic Research Opportunity, must Declare Tenure or contact the GRFP Program Office [email protected] by the subsequent Tenure Declaration Deadline. The GRFP FastLane Module default is to convert Fellows to Completed after 36 months of Support. Requests after the deadline are not approved.

No. Under no circumstance is the GRFP Fellowship considered a Postdoctoral Fellowship or employment by NSF. No Fellowship will be extended past the final academic term of graduate study leading to a graduate degree, except as indicated above where a Master's degree leads to enrollment in a doctoral degree program. There is no continued Fellowship support upon degree completion.

The Fellow, GRFP Institution, or NSF can Terminate a Fellowship.

In cases where a Fellow fails to comply with Fellowship Terms and Conditions, to make satisfactory progress towards an eligible graduate degree, to submit the Annual Activities Report or Declare Tenure Status by the posted deadlines, the GRFP Institution and/or NSF will Terminate the Fellowship. Terminated Fellowships may not be reinstated.

The most common causes of Fellowship Termination are failure to comply with the Fellowship Terms and Conditions and failure to meet deadlines.

Should a Fellow find it necessary to Terminate their Fellowship before completion of the 36 months of support, the Fellow is required to notify their CO and the Program Office and to submit a request to Terminate the Fellowship, via the GRFP FastLane Module. Terminated Fellowships may not be reinstated. Fellows discontinuing (Terminating) their Fellowship are also required to submit a Final Activities report within 30 days of Completion/Termination. The Activities Reports are available throughout the year.

If a Fellow Terminates affiliation with the GRFP Institution prior to the completion of a Tenure Period, the Fellow is entitled to Stipend Payments only for those months on Tenure at the GRFP Institution, provided the Fellowship Terms and Conditions were met. For Stipend Payment purposes, the last month of Tenure is defined as that month which contained 14 or more days in a calendar month on Tenure at the GRFP Institution.

Fellowships are generally made to individuals (GRFP), and assistantships (research or teaching) and traineeships (IGERT, NIH, GK12, etc.) generally fund individuals from a grant or award made to the institution (i.e., the institution selects the recipients versus the agency making the selection).

Federal Fellowships are defined as awards that are made to individuals from the US Government (e.g., Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, National Institutes of Health, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Agriculture, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration.)

GROW is a new NSF effort to expand opportunities for US graduate students to engage in international research collaborations. GROW is currently open only to active Fellows of the Graduate Research Fellowship Program. Through GROW NSF Graduate Fellows may apply for support to engage in research collaborations with investigators in partner countries located outside the United States.

Detailed information about GROW is available at www.nsf.gov/grow .

No. Starting with the 2011 Fellows forward, GRFP Fellowships cannot be concurrently accepted or combined with another US Government Federal Fellowship, irrespective of the Fellow's Status.

Starting with the 2011 Fellows forward, GRFP Fellowships cannot be concurrently accepted or combined with another US Government Federal Fellowship, irrespective of the Fellow's Status. You must decline the GRFP Fellowship Offer or terminate your current Federal Fellowship prior to accepting the GRFP Fellowship.

Many programs and departments have research and teaching assistantships and fellowships available for GRFP Fellows. In addition, the www.nsfgrfp.org website has a listing of other funding opportunities. See the Guide for rules regarding multiple funding sources.

Yes. Traineeships are appropriate for Fellows on Reserve.

Supplementation to a Fellowship while on Tenure is at the discretion of the GRFP Institution. Fellows should check with their CO.

The annual, 12-month GRFP Stipend amount is specified in each year's Program Solicitation and Fellowship Offer Letter. The amount is $30,000 for the 2013-2014 Fellowship Year.

The Stipend is pro-rated in monthly increments (e.g., graduation after nine months of Tenure results in nine-twelfths of the annual Stipend).

Fellowship Stipends are managed by the GRFP Institution. For disbursement procedures and schedules, Fellows should check with the CO. Regardless of the exact Stipend Payment Schedule, NSF requires that the Stipends be reported in no less than 1-month increments.

Fellowship Stipends are managed by the GRFP Institution. GRFP institutional policies regarding the withholding of taxes from Stipend Payments vary. Stipend Payments may not be reduced by items that the GRFP Institution would normally consider indirect costs or fringe benefits. For questions regarding withholdings, Fellows should check with the CO.

Stipends may be considered taxable income. Fellows bear the responsibility of filing and paying any taxes due.

No. The Stipend is pro-rated in monthly increments (e.g., graduation after nine months of Tenure results in nine-twelfths of the annual Stipend). Contact your CO about the repayment of funds.

Only Fellows on Tenure in good standing are eligible to receive Stipend Payments. If a Fellow does not conform to the Standards of Conduct of the GRFP Institution and/or the NSF, NSF reserves the right to withhold a Fellow's Stipend Payments or Terminate a Fellowship. In addition, Fellows who miss deadlines may Forfeit Stipend payments or be Terminated.

Stipends may be considered taxable income. Fellows may find it helpful to consult the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Tax Topic 421: Scholarship and Fellowship Grants and Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Education. These are available at http://www.irs.gov . Specific questions regarding the taxation of Fellowship funding and personal tax liability should be referred to the IRS. As such, NSF will not respond to questions regarding tax issues.

No. Specific questions regarding the taxation of Fellowship funding and personal tax liability should be referred to the IRS. NSF will not respond to questions regarding tax issues.

Fellows are not, in any sense, considered employees of the NSF.

Stipends may be considered taxable income. NSF will not deduct funds from the Stipend or pay any additional amounts, such as Social Security Taxes. Fellows bear the responsibility of filing and paying any taxes due.

No, NSF does not issue W-2 or 1099 forms for Fellows. Consult your institution's payroll office for information.

Supplementation to a Fellowship while on Tenure is at the discretion of the GRFP Institution. Fellows should check with their CO. See additional guidance on Stipend Supplementation in the Guide.

Fellows are expected to devote full time to advanced scientific study or work during tenure. However, because it is generally accepted that teaching or similar activity constitutes a valuable part of the education and training of many graduate students, a Fellow may choose to undertake a reasonable amount of such activities without NSF approval. It is expected that furtherance of the Fellow's educational objectives and the gain of substantive teaching or other experience, not service to the institution as such, will govern such activities Compensation for such activities is determined by the GRFP institution and is based on the institution's general employment policies. Fellows are required to check with their GRFP institution about specific policies pertaining to GRFP fellowship and paid activities.

No research or travel allowances are provided with the fellowship. Please see GROW for the opportunity to apply for funding an international research collaboration.

Yes. Fellows are permitted to solicit and accept, from NSF or other federal and private sources, support for research expenses, such as laboratory supplies, instrumentation usage fees, field-station usage fees, travel expenses, conference/registration fees, workshop expenses, or subscription fees. For Fellows on Tenure, support for living expenses associated with off-site research activities will require approval by the CO.

No dependent allowances are provided.

No. All living expenses are the responsibility of the Fellow.

The Fellowship provides a fixed cost-of-education (COE) Allowance to the GRFP Institution for Fellows on Tenure. The COE Allowance is without regard to the actual amount of tuition and fees involved. The amount is for the 2013-2014 Fellowship Year is $12,000.00

For Fellows in good standing on Tenure for six months, the GRFP Institution is entitled to receive the full COE Allowance. For Fellows in good standing on Tenure for one to five months, the GRFP Institution is entitled to receive one half of the COE Allowance. The COE allowance is reported in three amounts based on tenure: Zero months on tenure $0, 1-5 months on tenure $6,000 and 6-12 months on tenure $12,000 in any given fellowship year. If a Fellow transfers institutions mid-year (at 6 months), each institution will receive one-half of the COE Allowance.

The actual use of the COE Allowance is at the discretion of the GRFP Institution.

No. The Fellowship provides a fixed COE Allowance to the GRFP Institution, not to the Fellow.

The COE may not be applied retroactively and does not cover application fees or the like. The summer immediately following the Fellowship Offer is the earliest the COE may be utilized.

While on Tenure, Fellows are exempt from paying required tuition and fees normally charged to graduate students of similar academic standing. Fellows may be required to pay any fees or deposits that are refundable in whole or in part, that are optional (e.g., non-required coursework or tuition at other institutions not considered part of the Fellow's principal program of study), or that were incurred prior to the actual start of Fellowship (e.g., an admission application fee).

No. While on Tenure, Fellows are exempt from paying required tuition and fees normally charged to graduate students of similar academic standing. Fellows are required to check with their GRFP institution about specific policies concerning their fellowship.

While on Tenure, Fellows may be required to pay any fees or deposits that are refundable in whole or in part, that are optional (e.g., non-required coursework or tuition at other institutions not considered part of the Fellow's principal program of study), or that were incurred prior to the actual start of Fellowship (e.g., an admission application fee). Fellows are exempt from paying required tuition and fees normally charged to graduate students of similar academic standing.

Fellows on Reserve may be required to pay required and/or optional tuition and fees normally charged to graduate students of similar academic standing. Fellows should check with their CO.

Yes. Under Section 178(a) of Title 38, US Code, educational benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs may be received concurrently with Fellowship Support. The receipt of educational benefits from the Veterans Administration is allowed by NSF as payment supplementary to Fellowship support.

Access to XSEDE resources is not automatic and requests must be for cyberinfrastructure resources in support of research undertaken toward completion of the graduate program of study. See https://www.xsede.org/ and Appendix II in the Guide.

Fellows who have disabilities may apply for funding for special assistance or equipment through the Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) program. See https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/gpg/nsf04_23/2.jsp and Appendix VI in the Guide.

In coordination with the PI and CO, Fellows' Academic/Research Advisors have specific GRFP responsibilities: monitoring Fellows' degree progress; reviewing Fellows' Annual Activities Reports and verifying Fellows' satisfactory academic progress and continued eligibility by signing the Academic/Research Advisor Confirmation Form by May 1 each year; and recommending or approving, as appropriate, Fellows' participation in activities that require the Advisors' support.

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INTRODUCTION

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been entrusted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) with the task of conducting UGC-NET, which is a Test to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for ‘Assistant Professor’ as well as ‘Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor’ in Indian Universities and Colleges.The UGC-NET is being conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode w.e.f. December 2018 onwards.

Awarding of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and/ or Eligibility for Assistant Professorship depends on the aggregate performance of the candidate in Paper-I and Paper-II of UGC-NET. The candidates qualifying only for Assistant Professorship are not eligible to be considered for the award of JRF. Candidates who qualify the eligibility test for Assistant Professorship are governed by the rules and regulations of the concerned Universities/Colleges/State Governments, as the case may be for recruitment of Assistant Professor.

UGC-NET is conducted twice every year (June & December) . In order to regularize the UGC-NET examination cycle, the National Testing Agency (NTA), with the concurrence of UGC is conducting UGC NET December 2023 in 83 subjects, at selected cities across the country.

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NET JRF Scholarship 2023: Eligibility, Rewards, Application Process, Last Date

Megha Sharma ,

Aug 4, 2023

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NET JRF Scholarship 2023: Eligibility, Rewards, Application Process, Last Date Highlights

The NET JRF (National Eligibility Test for Junior Research Fellowship) provides financial assistance worth  INR 35,000  to students pursuing  M.Phil / Ph.D. degree . The National Eligibility Test (NET) for research fellowships is conducted by the  University Grants Commission (UGC) . Students of  Social Sciences and Humanities , including the Languages and Sciences stream, are eligible to participate in the doctoral-level scholarship program. The deadline for the  NET JRF scholarship still needs to be updated. However, the expected date for 2023 will be declared soon .

Table of Contents

• Eligibility Criteria
• Rewards and Benefits
• Application Process
• Selection Criteria
• Mode of Exam
• Important Dates
• Terms and Conditions

Contact Details

Net jrf eligibility criteria.

The general conditions of eligibility for National Eligibility Test- Junior Research fellowship as follows.

• Candidate must have passed post-graduation from a government recognized university or institute.
• General (EWS) category applicants must have secured a minimum of 55 percent marks or equivalent grade in a master’s degree.
• OBC, ST/SC, PWD or Transgender category  students must have obtained  50 percent marks in master’s program.
• Degree holders who have completed their master’s examination by  19th September 1991 are eligible for appearing NET with 5 percent relaxation in marks percentile.
• Applicants waiting for PG results and those pursuing master’s degree are eligible to apply for the UGC NET exam.
• In such a case, the candidate will only be considered for the admission of JRF and Assistant professor once they pass the master’s degree with the required percentile within the 2 years from the NET result date.
• General category applicants should not be more than 30 years old .
• There is no age limit criteria for the Assistant Professor program.
• Age relaxation of 5 years will be given to candidates of OBC, ST/ SC, PWD, Women, and Transgender.
• 5 year age relaxation is also be given to applicants with 5 years of research experience and candidates from Armed Forces.
• Applicants with an L.L.M. degree can avail the age relaxation of three years .

NET JRF Rewards and Benefits

The fellowship amount and duration can be extended if the research work has been observed as satisfactory by the concerned department of the college or university. The UGC revised rates of fellowship amount are as follows.

• INR 31,000 per month will be given to each Junior Fellow for the first 2 years.
• INR 35,000 per month will be given for remaining tenure (SRF).

Contingency A - Humanities and Social Sciences

• INR 10,000 per year for the first two years (JRF).
• INR 20,500 per year for the remaining tenure (SRF).

Contingency B - Science

• INR 12,000 per year will be given for two years (JRF).
• INR 25,000 per annum for the remaining tenure (SRF).

Reader Assistance/ Escorts

• For blind candidates and physically handicapped, INR 2,000 per month shall be granted as a special allowance.
• In case the accommodation is provided by the host institution, rent paid by the candidate shall be reimbursed as per the government of India norms.
• The fellow may be entitled to draw HRA on the basis of the categorization of cities if he or she makes their own arrangement of accommodation.
• HRA is not permissible for hostellers. However, candidates are only eligible to draw hostel fees excluding electricity, water, mess charges, etc.
• No separate medical assistance is provided.
• In addition to public holidays, 30 days of leave per year will be granted to each fellow.
• Maternity/ Paternity leaves will be given as per government rules.
• Intermittent Break of one year will be given to eligible women candidates, this can be availed 3 times during the fellowship.
• One year of academic leave without fellowship is permissible throughout the tenure.

Note : Expenditure on any foreign visit in connection with research work will not be reimbursed from UGC.

Tenure of Fellowship

Net jrf application process.

Detailed steps on how to apply for UGC NET-JRF are given below.

• Visit the official  National Testing Academy (NTA) .
• Click on UGC NET in the Quick links section.
• Fill up the online application form.
• Enroll all the required information.
• Get the application number for future reference.
• Upload the scanned image of the applicant’s photograph (It should not exceed 200 kb)
• Upload the signature in scanned image (The signature size should be in between 4 kb – 30 kb)

Note : All the scanned images must be in JPEG/ JPG format.

• Pay the fee through SBI/ HDFC/ ICICI/ Syndicate or Paytm payment gateway through net banking/ UPI/ debit card or credit card.
• Print 4 copies of confirmation page after the successful fee payment.

Application Fee Details

• For General category - INR 1000
• For General (EWS) and OBC (NCL) category - INR 500
• For SC/ST/PwDs and Transgender category - INR 250

Note : Applicants are advised to check their SMS/ e-mails and NTA website regularly for latest updates. Also any change in NET subject, examination center, date, etc. will not be permitted under any circumstances.

Selection Criteria for National Talent Hunt Examination for Junior Research Fellowship

NET JRF candidate selection process is based on the following criteria.

• Applicant should qualify the UGC NET Exam with minimum marks of eligibility percentile.
• It is mandatory to secure minimum marks in both paper 1 and 2.
• A merit list shall be generated for qualified candidates.
• Top 6 percent fellows will be entitled to the Assistant Professor post.
• Remaining candidates are eligible to avail the NET Junior Research Fellowship.
• In each UGC-NET exam around 3200 fellowships are being provided by the commission.
• NET JRF slots are categorized and allocated among different subjects.

UGC NET-JRF Mode of Exam

The exam will consist of two papers, paper 1 and paper 2

• Paper 1 is of 100 marks with a duration of o ne hour.
• There will be 50 objective type questions with 2 marks each .
• The paper will cover the research and teaching aptitude of the candidate.
• It will test the general awareness, comprehension, reasoning ability and divergent thinking of the candidate.
• There will be a total of 200 marks in paper 2 with a test duration of 2 hours.
• There will be 100 objective type questions with 2 marks each .
• Paper 2 is a subject-oriented test, it is based on the particular subject selected by the applicant.

Exam Timing

• Paper-I: 09.30 AM to 10.30 AM
• Paper-II: 11.00 AM to 01.00 PM

(09.30 am to 01.00 pm first shift and 02.00 pm to 05.30 pm second shift)

Note : The total duration of examination is 3 hours (180 minutes). No break time will be given between paper 1 and paper 2 examination.

NET-JRF Important Dates

The following key dates are tentative and can be changed by the providers.

• Application opening date: To be announced
• Application closing date: To be announced
• Last date to pay the application fee:  To be announced

Fellowship Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions listed below have to be adhered to during the tenure of fellowship.

• Selected candidates must join the fellowship program within 6 months from the date of the award letter.
• Applicants are requested not to send any documents or completed application forms to NTA.
• More than one application from a candidate is not entertained.
• Admit card for the UGC NET examination should be downloaded from the NTA website.
• A minimum of 40 percent marks in both the papers of NET examination is required to be eligible for the research fellowship.
• Phone Number : 011-23604446, 011-23604200, 011-40759000 
• Email ID:  [email protected]
• Address: University Grants Commission (UGC), Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi- 110 002, India.

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Junior Research Fellowships (JRF)

Forms Required to Fill at Joining and there after

ICMR JRF Examination is the first step in the process of admission to the Ph.D/ Research Programme through council's support. Test for ICMR JRF fellowship are conducted at the 12 centres viz. Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Srinagar and Varanasi once a year. The award of JRF is made on merit basis by holding an entrance examination after issuing a countrywide admission notice. The admission notice is published in leading English Newspapers of India usually during March/April and also on the website. The entrance examination is usually held in the first/second week of July.

ICMR holds a national level examination for determining the eligibility of Indian National candidates for the award of Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) through Indian Council of Medical Research. The award of Junior Research Fellowship to the successful eligible candidates will depend on their finding placement in a medical college / hospital / university / national laboratory / institution of higher learning and research as applicable.

• Two separate merit lists, one comprising the candidates qualifying for life sciences and the second for those candidates qualifying for social sciences, will be made on the basis of their performance in the above test.
• The candidates selected for the JRF programme of ICMR would be permitted to enroll themselves for the Ph.D. programme of any University recognised by the UGC/MCI. However, the JRF programme would not have any connection with the Ph.D. programme. The validity of fellowship awarded to a candidate will be six months.
• Another 100 candidates would be selected for consideration for positions of JRF under various research schemes of ICMR (subject to fulfilling the conditions for appointment under the schemes) for the duration of that scheme. These JRFs would also be permitted to complete Ph.D. while working in the scheme, if enrolled. The validity of result will be two years for placement in ICMR funded projects.
• SC/ST/OBC/Physically handicapped (PH) applicants will be given such special consideration as per policy guidelines. Candidates qualifying for the award of JRF will receive fellowship from ICMR.

Duration and Emoluments

The existing value of the fellowship is at present Rs. 31000/- (Rupees Thirty one thousands only) per month and an annual contingency grant up to Rs. 20,000/- per annum. The local institution shall review the performance of JRF after two years through an appropriate Review Committee constituted by the Head of the institution. The fellow may be awarded SRF after successful assessment by the Review Committee.

• The successful candidates would be notified by post. The list also would be available on the ICMR website.

Joining time

Selected candidates must join their respective course on the prescribed date as indicated in their admission letter. The selection of those who fail to join by the specified date shall automatically stand cancelled.

Procedure for Applying

Before applying, candidates are advised to go through the admission notice published in the advertisement in various Newspapers and the instructions given therein carefully. Fill in the application form according to the instructions given in this prospectus and the admission notice. Incomplete applications will not be considered and no correspondence will be entertained.

Educational Qualification

Post Graduate Degree (M.Sc./MA) in Basic Science or Post Graduate Degree (M.Sc./MA) in Professional Course.

The age limit for admission to the eligibility test is 28 years (upper age limit relaxable upto 5 years in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST, physically handicapped (PH) and female candidates, 3 years in the case of OBC category.

As prescribed by UGC.

Method of Selection

Scheme of test.

The test will consist of one paper of 2 hours duration. The paper will consist of 2 Sections. The Aptitude Section (Section A) will have 50 questions on (i) scientific phenomenon in everyday life; (ii) general knowledge in sciences; and (iii) common statistics. All these questions would be compulsory with each question carrying 1 mark. The subject Specific Section (Section B & C) would pertain to (B) Life Sciences and (C) Social Science. The candidate may attempt questions in either of the two areas. Each area of section B & C would have 100 questions and the candidate may attempt any 75 questions in the predesigned area of Section B or C. Candidates are required to indicate the option for Section B or C in the application form too.

Each question carries one mark. Negative marking @ 0.25 will be made for each of the wrong answer. The questions in both the sections would appear in English only.

The final result will be based on aggregate of 55 % marks obtained in both the sections for General category and OBC and 50% for SC/ST and physically handicapped.

The test will be held in the following streams:

(1) Aptitude test (common for all) (2) Life Sciences (3) Social Sciences. Subjects covered under Life Sciences include microbiology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, human nutrition, human biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, biophysics, immunology, pharmacology, zoology, environmental sciences, botany, public health veterinary science and bio-informatics. Subjects covered under Social Sciences include psychology, sociology, home sciences, statistics, anthropology, social work and health economics.

Monitoring Mechanism

The fellow shall submit annual reports for 1st year and annual report thereafter as per the prescribed standard proforma. The first annual report should be submitted after 10 months from the date of commencement of the fellowship (through the Guide along with his appraisal) giving complete factual details of the research work done. Subsequent annual reports as per the standard proforma should be submitted through the Guide two months before completion of the fellowship year

JRF Full Form

Jrf full form - what does net jrf stand for.

The full form of JRF is Junior Research Fellowship . It is an esteemed scholarship program that provides young researchers with a platform to pursue their passion for research and contribute to the field of higher education. This scheme is launched by University Grants Commission and given to the aspirants who clear the National Eligibility Testing (NET) of the UGC and the UGC CSIR joint test.

JRF serves as a stepping stone for individuals aspiring to pursue a career in research and opens doors to numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. In this article, we will learn about the JRF full form, its eligibility criteria, and nature of the scheme.

JRF stands for Junior Research Fellowship. It is a scholarship program awarded to exceptional candidates who has a passion for research and possess the requisite qualifications. JRFs are typically offered in various fields, such as science, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and technology, enabling scholars to pursue their research interests under the guidance of experienced mentors and institutions.

Candidates awarded with Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) can pursue an MPhil/PhD degree in their allocated subjects, such as humanities, science, or language subjects. This prestigious fellowship is bestowed upon the top 6% of candidates who successfully clear the NET exam. Moreover, candidates who choose to enrol in an M.Phil./Ph.D. program at an Indian University or College after clearing the JRF exam are entitled to receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 31,000 for a period of five years.

NET JRF Eligibility

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced Junior Research Fellowship to offer opportunities to talented and well-educated individuals who have successfully passed the NET and CSIR eligibility tests. Through this scheme, candidates who have successfully cleared UGC NET and CSIR NET joint exams become eligible for additional aptitude tests based on the specific criteria set by their respective universities or colleges. Besides it, candidates must fulfil the eligibility criteria given below.

• Educational Qualification: To be eligible for the NET and CSIR eligibility tests, candidates must hold a Master’s Degree in their respective subject and achieve a minimum score of 55% in their master’s program.
• Age Limit: There is usually an age limit for JRF applications, typically ranging from 28 to 30 years. However, age relaxation is provided to candidates belonging to reserved categories or those with exceptional qualifications.

JRF Selection Process

The selection process for JRF is quite simple and includes two stages. The initial stage requires candidates to take an eligibility test such as the UGC NET or CSIR NET Exam. To proceed to the next stage, candidates must attain the minimum qualifying marks in both Paper 1 and Paper 2 of the exam. Once candidates have successfully cleared the exam and achieved equal to or more than the cut off marks, they become eligible to apply for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).

The duration of the fellowship under the JRF scheme is initially two years. Following this period, a comprehensive evaluation of the candidate’s research work is conducted by experts. If the quality of the research work is deemed satisfactory, the candidate’s tenure is extended for an additional three years as a Senior Research Fellowship (SRF), accompanied by enhanced emoluments. Conversely, if the research work during the initial two-year period is deemed unsatisfactory, then the candidate is granted one more year to make necessary improvements and enhance the overall quality of his work.

Frequently Asked Questions on JRF Full Form

What is the full form of jrf.

JRF stands for Junior Research Fellowship. Launched by University Grant Commission, this scholarship scheme gives candidates an opportunity to pursue an MPhil/PhD and demonstrate their aptitude and knowledge in their chosen fields of study.

What is the eligibility of JRF?

As per the UGC guidelines, candidates who have qualified in NET or the UGC-CSIR joint tests are eligible to apply for Junior Research Fellowship.

What is NET Junior Research Fellowship?

Junior Research Fellowship is a scholarship program launched for candidates who have cleared the NET or the UGC-CSIR joint tests. The UGC launched this scheme to encourage and support talented individuals who wish to pursue MPhil/PhD in their chosen subjects.

What are the qualification criteria for JRF?

To qualify for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), candidates must have completed a postgraduate degree with a minimum of 55% marks in the relevant subject from a recognized university. They also need to clear the UGC NET or CSIR NET conducted by NTA.

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• General Knowledge /

What Is The Full Form Of GRF

• Updated on  
• Sep 9, 2023

GRF full form is Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor. It plays a crucial role in regulating growth hormone (GH) production in the human body. In this blog, we’ll delve into what GRF is, its functions, and its significance in our overall health.

The Role of GRF in Growth

GRF is a hormone produced by the hypothalamus, a small region in the brain. Its primary function is to stimulate the anterior pituitary gland to release growth hormone into the bloodstream. 

During childhood and adolescence, GRF plays a pivotal role in promoting linear growth. It stimulates the growth plates in bones, leading to an increase in height. This is why it is of particular interest in pediatric medicine.

Regulation of GRF

The secretion of GRF is subject to complex regulation. It follows a pulsatile pattern, with varying levels throughout the day and night. Factors such as sleep, exercise, stress, and nutrition can influence its secretion.

In clinical practice, assessing GH levels and the response to GRF can help diagnose growth-related disorders. Doctors may use stimulation tests involving synthetic GRF to evaluate the pituitary’s ability to release GH.

Therapeutic Applications And Challenges

Synthetic GRF analogs, like Sermorelin and Tesamorelin, are used to treat growth hormone deficiency in both children and adults. They can stimulate the pituitary gland to produce more GH. While GRF-based therapies can be effective, they are not without risks. Excessive GH release can lead to acromegaly or gigantism, which can cause health issues.

Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor is a remarkable hormone that orchestrates our growth and plays a significant role in maintaining our overall health. Understanding its function, regulation, and clinical applications is essential for optimizing its therapeutic potential while minimizing risks.

In summary, GRF remains a critical area of study in endocrinology and offers promising avenues for diagnosing and treating growth-related disorders. As research continues to unveil its intricacies, we can expect even more refined approaches to managing growth and related health issues.

Must Read: What is the Full Form of ECA?  

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