The National Science Foundation (NSF) released the long-awaited FY26 solicitation for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) on September 26. Established in 1952, the GRFP aims to help ensure the quality, vitality, and strength of the scientific and engineering workforce in the U.S. and has been a tremendous support for graduate students across disciplines. The new solicitation contains significant differences from previous years.
One immediate concern shared by the broad scientific community is that, despite clear language on the NSF website — “Applicants have a minimum of 90 days from NSF’s announcement of a funding opportunity to prepare and submit a proposal” — applications are due for FABBS disciplines on November 12, just 47 days from the solicitation’s publication, barely over half the promised time.
FABBS is working to actively express concern about several key differences from the FY25 solicitation. However, our advocacy efforts are challenged by the current shutdown of the federal government.
Exclusion of Clinical Psychology graduate degree programs - The FY26 solicitation includes language explicitly eliminating clinical psychology students from consideration: “No clinical or health degree programs are eligible for NSF GRFP consideration. In FY2026, Clinical Psychology graduate degree programs are not eligible for NSF GRFP.” According to colleagues familiar with the inner workings of GRFP, NSF has long worked to carefully consider eligibility to best complement funding opportunities at NIH. Past awards to clinical psychologists have been made based on a review of the nature of the research, allowing for fundamental science to be funded despite the student’s degree program.
Elimination of eligibility for second-year students - In concept, FABBS can see a strong argument for phasing out the eligibility of second-year and even first-year students who have advantages over applicants earlier in the process, including stronger references and additional time and experience. FABBS recognizes that undergraduate students who lack the resources for their initial year are at a disadvantage when pursuing a graduate degree. Nonetheless, changing the eligibility without adequate advanced notice or transition period is a terrible upset for second-year graduate students and punishes graduate students for following the common advice to wait one year to apply.
Organization Limit - FABBS notes that the section on Organization Limit from the FY25 solicitation — “Prospective Fellows must enroll in a non-profit university, college, or institution of higher education accredited in, and having a campus located in, the United States, its territories or possessions, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico that offers advanced degrees in STEM and STEM education no later than fall of the year the Fellowship is accepted” — does not appear in the FY26 solicitation. FABBS is working to determine the possible implications and intent of this change. NSF and the National Science Board have discussed opportunities to engage industry partners to help support GRFPs, leading FABBS to question if this change may have been made in anticipation of future modifications.
For those opposed to the changes, a group of faculty members are circulating a Petition to NSF to Restore Eligibility for the 2026 Graduate Research Fellowship Program Competition. FABBS is also circulating two surveys to better document the value of past GRFPs in clinical psychology and also the loss to second-year graduates and students in clinical psychology programs who are no longer eligible to apply. If you fall into either category, please take a moment to respond.
FABBS has been communicating our concerns to colleagues on Capitol Hill and will continue to ask questions and document consequences for NSF colleagues once the federal government reopens. To date, it is unclear if the government shutdown will lead to an extension of the deadline to apply.
