About Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP) Program

The Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees at accredited US institutions.

GRFP allows for:

Applicants to apply to the GRFP through an online application available in the application module. Applicants can complete, review, and check the status of their application through this module. The annual application period typically opens in late July each year and closes in mid-October.
Reference Writers to submit letters of reference for the Applicants through the Reference Letter Submission (RLS) module in Research.gov. Reference letters must be submitted to NSF by the deadline in October.
Reviewers to read a selection of applications and evaluate them based on NSF’s merit review criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. Review panels are conducted virtually in January.
GRFP Fellows to manage their Fellowship Status and report the progress of their graduate studies via an annual activity report submitted online. Fellowships are awarded in early April; new Fellows must accept their award and declare their Fellowship Status by the deadline published in the Fellowship Offer letter. Current Fellows must submit their Annual Activity Report and declare their Fellowship Status by the published deadline.
GRFP Officials to manage the activities of Fellows at their organization. Officials approve change requests in Fellowship Status and field of study as well as organization transfers through the GRFP Officials module. Officials are required to submit Completion and Program Expense Reports for current Fellows at their organizations in the Fall. Officials certify progress and submit Grants Roster Reports for all Fellows at their institutions in the Spring.

**Useful Resources**
GRFP Users	Resource Links
Applicants	Frequently Asked Questions (updated regularly): GRFP Application Process Presentation: Coming Soon Webinar: Coming Soon File Upload FAQs: Help with GRFP file uploads
Reference Writers	Presentation: GRFP Reference Writers and Research Mentors How-to Guide: Reference Letter Submission Video Tutorial: GRFP Reference Letter Writer Guide
GRFP Fellows	Webinar: Welcome Fellows! Fellow declaration, reporting responsibilities, submitting Annual Activity Report and Fellowship completion How-to Guide: GRFP Fellows Quick Guide
GRFP Officials	Webinar: Officials Introductory Series Overview of GRFP roles and responsibilities, contact information and annual timeline How-to Guide: GRFP Coordinating Officials Quick Guide How-to Guide: GRFP Financial Officials Quick Guide Video Tutorial: NSF GRFP Grants Roster Report (GRR) Video Tutorial: NSF GRFP Program Expense Report (PER) Guidance for GRFP Officials Officials are required to periodically review their Organization's directory listing to ensure that contact information is correct: Institution directory Organizations must be registered with NSF to participate in grants management activities: Register a NEW Organization Officials must have an approved role to manage activities at their institution. GRFP roles include Coordinating Official, Alternate Coordinating Official, and Financial Official: Add a New Organizational Role

More information

Account Resources: Help with registering, logging in and managing your profile in Research.gov.
GRFP Program: Program eligibility and application requirements.
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