NSF GRFP

The purpose of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) is to ensure the 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 for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant research achievements in STEM or STEM education.  NSF especially encourages women, members of underrepresented groups, persons with disabilities, veterans, and undergraduate seniors to apply.  See links here for more information on the program, award, eligibility, application preparation and submission, application review, and administration:

The fellowship is competitive, and those planning to apply should devote sincere effort to their application.  The due dates are in October.  The Grant Writing Academy and Stanford Biosciences are here to help you through the process.

Take the NSF GRFP Eligibility Questionnaire.

Have a question about your eligibility for the NSF GRFP or other proposal?  Email Dr. Crystal Botham (cbotham@stanford.edu), Director & Founder of the Stanford Biosciences Grant Writing Academy

Merit Review Criteria:

NSF instructs applicants to “include separate sections on Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts in each of their written statements in order to provide reviewers with the information necessary to evaluate the application with respect to both Criteria as detailed below. Separate sections under separate headings for Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts must be included in both Personal and Research Plan statements.” Learn More.

  • Intellectual Merit: The Intellectual Merit criterion encompasses the potential to advance knowledge. How important is the proposed activities to advancing knowledge within its own field or across different fields?
  • Broader Impacts: The Broader Impacts criterion encompasses the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes. How well does the proposed activity benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes?

The following elements should be considered in the review for both criteria:

  1. What is the potential for the proposed activity to:
        • Advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields (Intellectual Merit); and
        • Benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader Impacts)?
  2. To what extent do the proposed activities suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?
  3. Is the plan for carrying out the proposed activities well-reasoned, well-organized, and based on a sound rationale? Does the plan incorporate a mechanism to assess success?
  4. How well qualified is the individual, team, or organization to conduct the proposed activities?
  5. Are there adequate resources available to the PI (either at the home organization or through collaborations) to carry out the proposed activities?

Proposal Components:

  • Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement (3-pages)
  • Graduate Research Statement (2-pages)
  • Transcripts
  • Letters of reference (2 mandatory, up to 5 can be provided, NSF recommends including 3)

Helpful Links:

From University of Missouri:

From MIT Broad Institute:

NSF GRFP – Examples & Tips: https://www.alexhunterlang.com/nsf-fellowship

SBSA Peer-to-Peer Mentoring

Stanford Biosciences Student Association (SBSA) matches NSF GRFP applicants to recent awardees/honorable mentions and facilitates productive, professional relationships between pairs vie e-mail, virtual and in-person communication. The goal of this program is to provide supportive, individualized… Continue reading »

NSF GRFP Proposal Library

This Proposal Library was created in collaboration with the Stanford Biosciences Student Association. The proposal materials are only available to Stanford affiliates. Please use your Stanford email to sign into google drive for access. Continue reading »

NSF GRFP Resources - Templates & more

Writing the Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement  Download the NSF GRFP Template: https://nsfgrfp.org/resources/ Check out these helpful Templates & Other Resources: https://mitcommlab.mit.edu/broad/commkit/nsf-research-proposal/… Continue reading »

NSF GRFP Faculty Mentors

Each Stanford Biosciences Home Program has designated faculty to help students develop strong NSF GRFP proposals. These NSF GRFP Faculty Mentors are committed to helping you so feel free to also make an appointment via email with them! Their roles include: Ensuring eligible students have access to… Continue reading »

Broader Impacts - NSF GRFP Review Criteria

Stanford’s existing programs, partners and resources can be helpful as you think through the “broader impacts” criteria for your NSF application. Former Assistant Director of the Stanford Office of STEM Outreach (http://oso.stanford.edu/) Maiken Bruhis provides tips… Continue reading »

Intellectual Merit - NSF GRFP Review Criteria

Associate Professor Andrew Spakowitz provides tips for addressing the Intellectual Merit review criteria. Dr. Spakowitz is speaking to faculty but the Intellectual Merit review criteria is relevant for all National Science Foundation proposals including the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF… Continue reading »

Finding grant & fellowship opportunities as a Graduate Student

Check out our new interactive Build your Funding Train website. To find suitable funding agencies, start by asking your faculty mentor(s), laboratory colleagues and recent alumni about their experiences. Federal agencies, such as NIH and NSF, sponsor fellowships and career development awards. The… Continue reading »