The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship is one of the most selective and prestigious awards available to early career student researchers in STEM fields. US citizens and residents who are either in their 1st year of grad school or currently applying to grad school compete nationally for this award by submitting applications that include multiple essays, transcripts and recommendation letters. Panels of expert faculty review their applications to help NSF select students who show exceptional potential to make significant contributions to STEM fields. Honorable mention denotes meritorious applicants who do not receive funding and is considered a significant national academic achievement. In 2026, ~14,000 students applied for the GRFP and just 2,599 were awarded with 1440 honorable mentions. Notably, this year marks a substantial rebound in the GRFP program. In 2025, awards were substantially reduced, with only 1000 awards distributed in April 2025, followed by another 500 several months later. The 2,599 awards this year represent a record high number in the history of NSF. Source for NSF award numbers: Nature news article.