National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is intended to provide support for those at the beginning of their graduate career and individuals seeking to re-enter graduate studies following an interruption of at least two consecutive years. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in fields within NSF’s mission.
The GRFP provides up to three years of support for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant achievements in science and engineering research. The GRFP supports over 100 sub-disciplines, including social sciences and psychology as well as the hard sciences. The GRFP encourages applications from underrepresented groups, including women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans, in order to broaden and diversify those participating in science and engineering.
Eligibility
- Academic Level: Eligibility is determined by academic levels, which include:
- Level 1: Graduating seniors; OR those who completed a bachelor's degree and never enrolled in a graduate program
- Level 2: Graduate Student - First Year
- Level 3: Graduate Student - Second Year
- Level 4: Returning Graduate Student
- Review Applicant Eligibility for complete guidelines and academic levels.
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
Other eligibility guidelines:
- There are restrictions on the number of times candidates from certain academic levels can apply. Review the NSF GRFP Eligibility for more information.
- Candidates must intend to enroll or be enrolled full-time in a research-based graduate degree program in an eligible Field of Study at an eligible institution as outlined in the corresponding annual NSF GRFP Program Solicitation.
All applicants must read the corresponding annual NSF GRFP Program Solicitation before starting a GRFP application. The Program Solicitation contains important information about application terms and conditions, eligibility requirements, application instructions, and the Merit Review Criteria.
Review application tips and resources in the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Application Toolkit (Davidson login required).
Davidson NSF GRFP Recipients
2025 - Ruby Zhou ’24
2024 - Jean Beltran ’24, Madeline Fitzgerald ’24, Katharina Seitz ’20
2023 - Andrea Robinson '21, Aislinn Whalen '22
2022 - Erin Scott '20, Lydia Soifer '20
2021 - Nikole Fendler '19
2019 - Akanksha Das '16, Kathryn Greene '18, Linnea Ng '15, Phoebe Parrish '16, Erica Shook '18
2017 - Sarah Friedensen 15, James Harden '14
2016 - Catherine Doyle '14
2015 - Madeleine Kern '13, Clinton Smith '10
2014 - Kelvin Bates '12, Marja (Beth) Mundy '13, Eric Sawyer '14, Justin Strickland '14, Damian Keith White '13
2013 - Robin Fropf '07, Leland Taylor '12
2012 - Nadia Brashier '12, Alison Rauh '11
2011 - Kelli Carroll '09, Evan Eskew '11, Natasha Meyer '10
2010 - Will DeLoache ’09, Leigh Anne Harden '07
2009 - Carlos Ortiz ‘07, Shannon Pittman ‘08
2007 - Kristen Cecala ‘07
2006 - Barratt Park '06
2004 - Rachel McCord '04, Susan Robison '04
2003 - William B. Bradshaw ’99, Kristine Grayson Dattelbaum '03, John Willson ‘02
2001 - Andrew Campbell ‘00
2000 - Elena Franklin ’97, Kenneth James Howard ‘98, James Wilson White ‘00
1999 - Miles Buie ‘91
1996 - Janet Steven ‘96
1995 - Mark Pospesel ‘91
1994 - Laura Jean Long ‘93
1992 - Katherine Macdonald ‘90
1990 - Anne Louise Allen ‘89
1989 - Suzanne Beckham ‘88, Basil Gordon Watkins ‘87
1985 - Mark Stanback '84
1981 - Edwin Hart '80, Michael Kennedy '79
1979 - Thomas C. Pinckney '78
1977 - Thomas E. Cooper '77, Albert S. Kyle '74, Peyton J. Marshall '77
1972 - William H. Beckmann '72
1971 - Robert S. Harris '71, Thomas R. Opie '71
1970 - Leon Stagg Newman '70
1968 - Michael L. May '68
1966 - Paul Duval '63, Julian D. Ellett '66
1958 - Joseph J. Murray ‘51