New NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Eligibility: Don’t Miss Your Window to Apply
GRFP eligibility is now limited to first-year applicants. Get help from the Office of Fellowships.
NSF has released the 2025 Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) solicitation with a major eligibility change: only first-year, domestic graduate students in the sciences (and eligible undergraduate seniors) may apply this cycle; second-year graduate students are no longer eligible.
We strongly encourage eligible first-year graduate students to take advantage of this opportunity to potentially secure three years of prestigious funding at the start of their graduate career. Application deadlines begin November 10, 2025 (by field).
How can I take advantage of this change?
- Check your eligibility for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Sign-up to receive support on your application from the Office of Fellowships
- Check your field's GRFP application deadline
Why should I apply?
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship is one of the most competitive and prestigious fellowships in the U.S, worth over $159,000 of support with many additional benefits.
Why act now?
First-year grads may have only a few weeks to assemble a competitive application (personal statements, research plan, and letters). Early planning improves your odds and reduces stress. For program basics and benefits, read more about the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
What if I am a second-year graduate student and no longer eligible to apply?
Although second-year students can no longer apply for the NSF GRFP, we encourage you to explore other fellowship and funding opportunities. Explore our Fall Fellowship Application Development Program page to find options that may fit your goals.
If you’re an eligible first-year graduate student and are interested in applying, the Office of Fellowships is here to help.
Sign-up to receive application support