NSF EPSCoR Graduate Fellowship Program

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has launched the EPSCoR Graduate Fellowship Program (EGFP), a new three-year pilot initiative designed to strengthen graduate-level STEM education and research capacity in EPSCoR jurisdictions. The program directly responds to priorities outlined in recent legislation, including the CHIPS and Science Act, and foundational studies such as the "Envisioning the Future of NSF EPSCoR" report. It aims to address gaps in funding for highly qualified students who received an Honorable Mention from the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) by offering them financial support to pursue graduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. The EGFP provides funding to eligible graduate degree-awarding institutions within EPSCoR jurisdictions to support at least three Fellows per award. These institutions will recruit their Fellows from a pool of GRFP Honorable Mention recipients, using the NSF Education and Training Application (ETAP) system. Each Fellow will receive a $37,000 annual stipend and a $16,000 cost-of-education allowance for up to three years, with a total support budgeted over a five-year period to allow flexibility in usage. The awards are provided to institutions, which are responsible for administering them and ensuring Fellows have access to full academic support and resources. Eligible applicants must be accredited institutions of higher education with a campus in an EPSCoR jurisdiction, offering at least one master’s or doctoral program in an NSF-aligned STEM discipline. Each institution may submit only one proposal per competition, which can span multiple NSF Directorate focus areas. Individuals serving as PIs must hold full-time, ongoing faculty appointments. Institutions must demonstrate strong graduate program infrastructure, including faculty engagement, mentorship plans, access to research resources, student support services, and a clear process for evaluating student progress. Applications must be submitted through either Research.gov or Grants.gov following NSF’s Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Required materials include a project description, budget details, a letter of collaboration from the Graduate School Dean, and a mentoring plan. Proposals must clearly define the disciplines of focus, institutional capacity, and plans for graduate student support. NSF emphasizes inclusivity and strongly encourages proposals from institutions serving underrepresented groups in STEM. The EGFP has three annual deadlines: October 2, 2024; June 2, 2025; and June 1, 2026. The program anticipates awarding between 5 and 35 grants, with an average award supporting five Fellows. Total available funding is approximately $17 million annually. Awards are contingent upon proposal quality and availability of funds. All awarded institutions must participate in ongoing program evaluations and ensure Fellows’ compliance with NSF reporting and performance expectations. For inquiries, the program contact is reachable at egfp@nsf.gov or (703) 292-2440. Additional contacts include Narcrisha S. Norman (nnorman@nsf.gov, 703-292-7965), Rebecca Shearman (rshearma@nsf.gov, 703-292-7403), and Jeanne R. Small (jsmall@nsf.gov, 703-292-8623). Detailed guidance and application materials can be accessed through the NSF website and linked documents therein.

Simplify application process for Fellows; clearly demonstrate program quality and institutional support structures.