Inspired by Alex Lang's GRFP Help site, this webpage will provide you with the most up to date examples of winnning essays. All the essays are sourced with permission from winners themselves. This page is designed by astronomers; as such, the examples are mostly in the field of astronomy. However, we encourage submissions from all fields. Given the changing NSF and government guidelines, I hope you find these useful.
To all who have submitted essays, thank you!
Example Essays
If you cannot view the embedded table, it is hosted here.
General Advice & Information
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded their Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) to promising scientists since 1952. Students who are pursuing full-time research-based master's and doctoral STEM degrees apply for the award in the fall (October/November) and typically receive results in April. Awarded students are given three years of funding (usable over a five-year fellowship period) where $37,000 is allocated to the student and $16,000 is allocated to their university for educational expenses.
To check your eligibility and the current guidelines READ THE CURRENT SOLICITATION! (2025/2026 linked here). The NSF has been updating its website and guidelines, so some information may be conflicting between webpages. The solicitation contains eligibility information, due dates, and reviewing guidelines (i.e. explainations of the "Intellectual Merits" and "Broader Imapacts" criteria).
Good general advice is to apply if you can find the time! Regardless of if you get the award or not, you have gained valuable research grant writing practice. Additionally, if you are applying for graduate school, your personal statement can easily be repurposed into application statements, so you will be extra confident in your writing!
Other helpful resources:
Logan Pearce's "Common Advice for NSF GRFP Applications": http://www.loganpearcescience.com/resources/GRFP_common_feedback.pdf
Claire McKay Bowen's application advice with annotated examples: https://clairemckaybowen.com/fellowship/
Alex Lang's webpage with more examples: https://www.alexhunterlang.com/nsf-fellowship
If you have another comprehensive resource not linked here, send in a comment (bottom of page) and it may be added!
Submit your essays here!
Strike rich and have a winning statement or honorable mention on your hands? Fill out the form and I will populate the spreadsheet with your examples as soon as I can. It is also extremely useful if you can supply reviewer comments (found with the GRFP application portal). Any materials are appreciated!
Please redact the information you find sensitive. You may choose to redact your school, name, advisor's name, etc. If you need your example removed for any reason, email grfphelp@gmail.com
Submit Here!Disclaimers & Contact Info
Would you like to get involved in keeping our records up to date? Shoot us an email at grfphelp@gmail.com.
This webpage is not affiliated with the National Science Foundation. This webpage is not intended to replace the work done by Alex Lang, only to supplement it with up to date examples.