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 reenter 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.

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    Eligibility

    • Class year: Graduating seniors and first-year and second-year graduate students
    • Citizenship: U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident

    Other eligibility guidelines:

    • Candidates must intend to enroll or be enrolled full-time in a research-based graduate degree program in an eligible Field of Study in STEM or STEM education as outlined in the corresponding annual NSF GRFP Program Solicitation.

    Applying & Resources

    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. Candidates should also pay careful attention to the application preparation instructions in the FastLane application module.  Application deadlines will be determined by the primary field of study listed on the Proposed Field of Study section of the application. 

    Follow the instructions for submitting an application to Davidson's nominating committee and review application tips and resources in the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Application Toolkit (Davidson login required).

    Schedule an Office of Fellowships advising appointment with Gaylena Merritt, Director of Fellowships, to discuss your candidacy.

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    Davidson NSF GRFP Recipients

    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