Graduate research fellowship program (GRFP)

The National Science Foundation Division of Graduate Education awarded the University of California, Merced $193,500 on August 15, 2026, to support NSF Graduate Research Fellows pursuing graduate education at the institution under the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). The award runs through July 31, 2031, and covers three years of financial support for graduate students pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including STEM education. Place of performance is Merced, California. The GRFP recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who have demonstrated potential for significant achievements in STEM, in alignment with NSF's statutory mission and current solicitation requirements. No sub-awards are planned for this award.

Abstract

The U.S. National science foundation (NSF) graduate research fellowship program (GRFP) is a highly competitive federal fellowship program. GRFP helps ensure the quality, vitality, and strength of the scientific and engineering workforce of the united states. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including STEM education, in alignment with the NSF act and the current GRFP solicitation. GRFP provides three years of financial support for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant achievements in STEM. This award supports the NSF graduate research fellows pursuing graduate education at this awardee institution. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.