During each year of NSF funding, GRFP awardees receive coverage for full tuition and University Fellowship stipend to bring them up to the standard University Fellowship rate. In addition, they are eligible to elect coordination of Princeton funding up to a higher stipend rate ($5,000 above the standard rate) or to remain at the standard rate and save 12-months of banked University support to be used in their first year of DCE status, if needed.

During each year of NSF funding, GRFP awardees receive coverage for full tuition and University or department support to bring them up to the standard department rate. In addition, the Graduate School provides a stipend supplement of $4,000 to awardees as a lump sum in August in each year that the fellowship is used.

Students who hold a Centennial, Wu, or Upton fellowship, all of which provide a premium above the standard academic year stipend, receive that supplement on top of NSF support. In Divisions III and IV, during years of active NSF GRFP funding, the supplement is provided in a lump sum in August rather than over the 10-month academic year. This replaces the Graduate School stipend supplement referenced above.

• Accept or decline and declare status: New awardees are required to accept or decline awards in the NSF Research.gov portal by the deadline (set at April 28th in 2023) and submit their status declarations (on tenure or on reserve) for the coming 12-month fellowship year. Incoming students awarded the GRFP are able to elect on reserve status in order to fully utilize the university fellowship offered in the first-year of study.
• If selecting tenure status, new Fellows must choose a Fall Start: Fall GRFP funding is effective August 1 - July 31. 
• Complete the Graduate School External Fellowship Form: All students with new external fellowship support are required to complete this form, which includes information on one’s fellowship plans. Award letters or documentation must also be uploaded to ensure full coordination of University support.
• Share plans during spring reenrollment: Awardees are asked to share their anticipated NSF GRFP plans for the coming academic year during the University reenrollment process in the spring.

• Declare status and submit reports: Awardees must declare their status (on tenure or on reserve) for the coming year in the NSF Research.gov portal by the deadline (set at April 28th in 2023). Regardless of status, all continuing fellows must also submit two reports. Additional details are available in the NSF Administrative Guide.
  • The Annual Activities Report
  • The signed Academic / Research Adviser Confirmation Form 
• If selecting tenure status, choose between a Summer and Fall Start: Summer GRFP funding is effective June 1 - May 31. Fall is effective August 1 - July 31. You may wish to consider anticipated timing for degree completion and any plans for full-time summer internships when evaluating these options. 
• Share plans during spring reenrollment: Continuing fellows must report NSF GRFP plans for the coming academic year during the University reenrollment process in the spring.

Incoming students awarded the GRFP have the option to elect to be on reserve in their first year of study so that they can retain their First Year Fellowship in Natural Sciences and Engineering. By electing on reserve status as a first-year student, they will then be able to use three full years of GRFP funding in subsequent years of study.

An important consideration is plans for teaching, as students with external fellowships may teach no more than 3.0 hours per term (6.0 hours in an academic year). Should the department have a teaching requirement that demands an assignment greater than what is allowed while on fellowship, the teaching requirement should be completed during a reserve year. The department’s Graduate Program Administrator (GPA) can provide additional guidance regarding the typical schedule for teaching among students with the NSF GRFP.

Students planning a full-time internship or an external opportunity which will provide salary for work exceeding an average of 10 hours per week over the course of a term should consider declaring on reserve status. If accepting a full-time paid internship while on tenure, awardees are required to forfeit the NSF GRFP Fellowship stipend during the period of internship per the updated NSF GRFP Administrative Guide effective March 28, 2023.