Applicants

Helpful Tips

• Start Early:
  • Read the NSF GRFP Solicitation thoroughly and follow the instructions.
  • Familiarize yourself with the application module.
  • Reference Letters are due prior to the application.
  • Two to four weeks before: Submit names and accurate email addresses of at least three reference writers.
  • About a week before: Remind reference writers to submit their letters on time.
• Take Care in Selecting your Field of Study
  • Check the deadline for your Major Field of Study.
  • Your selected Major Field of Study must match your proposed graduate degree program – you will not be awarded if these do not match!
  • You cannot change the Major Field of Study associated with your application after submission.
• Check Your Statements:
  • Include SEPARATE headings for Broader Impacts and Intellectual Merit in both Research and Personal statements.
  • Use templates in the application module.
  • DO NOT USE statements from previous applications; formatting requirements have changed.
• Align Academic History to Transcripts:
  • The enrollment and degree dates on your application must match your transcript(s).
  • Joint Bachelor’s-Master’s program students must submit a letter from their registrar confirming enrollment in a joint program if their transcript does not indicate a joint degree.
  • Current graduate students are strongly recommended to submit official transcripts showing they have completed no more than one academic year of graduate study.
• Submit Early:
  • Give yourself time to review your application materials and get feedback from others.
  • Do not wait until 4:45 p.m. (local time, as determined by your mailing address) on the night of the deadline to start uploading required documents; if something goes wrong and you miss the 5:00 p.m. local time deadline by even a few seconds, your application will be returned without review.
• Communicate with your Reference Writers:
  • Make sure your reference writers are familiar with you and your application.
  • Consider selecting references who can comment on different aspects of your qualifications for the Fellowship.
  • Ask for reference letters early; you will want to give your reference writers time to write compelling letters.
  • See the “Reference Writer Helpful Tips” page for more information.
• Consider Requesting up to 5 References:
  • You can list up to five reference writers; the three highest-priority reference letters submitted will be included in the application package for review.
  • Seeking four or five references gives you a fallback if one of your top three references is unable to submit a letter for some reason.
• Remember the GRFP application is not a grant proposal:
  • The GRFP seeks to identify individuals with outstanding potential as future STEM research leaders.
  • The most effective reference letters speak to the applicant’s potential for future achievement in graduate school and beyond.
  • Competitive GRFP applicants demonstrate the ability to develop a strong research plan, succeed with their graduate study, and have broader impacts on society.