In the first quarter of your first year, you are expected to write a fellowship application for an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. You can find instructions on how to write this application here.

The purpose of this assignment is twofold: First, if you are eligible for GRFP funding, you should apply for it! Second, even if you are not eligible for GRFP funding, writing this application is a good way to add some structure to your thoughts and research plans, and it will help you communicate your ideas to your adviser and others.

Check here for NSF GRFP eligibility. The most common questions about eligibility seem to surround “Can I apply in my 2nd year?” for students who do not already hold a masters. As of Fall 2024, this is what the NSF has to say about that: “As a currently enrolled graduate student, you can apply only once, and only if you have completed no more than one academic year of graduate study as indicated on the Registrar-issued transcript from the university attended as of the application deadline. That means you can apply in your first year or the beginning of the second year of graduate school.“

You are also expected to submit this application to NSF, unless…

1. You and your adviser agree that it would be better for you to apply in your second year instead (you only get to submit once while in graduate school), or
2. You submit an application for an individual predoctoral fellowship to a very similar program (e.g., NIH NRSA), or
3. You are ineligible (e.g., if you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, or you already have a Master’s or a GRFP fellowship)

If you are ineligible, you have to let the Graduate Director know (via the form below).

During your first quarter, you will be enrolled in Proseminar in the Cognitive Sciences, during which you will be able to discuss your research plans with other students and a faculty adviser.

Note that, if you plan to submit your application to NSF, the deadline will be in the middle of the Fall quarter.

IMPORTANT: Whether you submit your application to the NSF or not, we need to have your application paper on file with the department. If you didn’t submit because you are ineligible, we also need that on file. Submit your application paper to the Graduate Director — or record that you are ineligible for the GRFP — by the end of the quarter using this form.