The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program


National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program logo

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) is among the nation’s most competitive and prestigious awards for early‑career researchers, recognizing students with strong research potential and a demonstrated commitment to broader societal impact. This year, a cohort of students with Emory connections—current students, alumni, or both—earned NSF Graduate Research Fellowships or Honorable Mentions.

Last fall, Laney Graduate School partnered with Emory College of Arts and Sciences to offer a series of application workshops designed to help students navigate the highly competitive process. The sessions focused on helping applicants clearly articulate their research goals, connect their work to broader impacts, and understand how review criteria shape successful proposals. Faculty and staff also provided individualized feedback, helping students translate early‑stage research ideas into compelling narratives.

The workshops were especially valuable as NSF eligibility rules shifted mid‑cycle, requiring rapid outreach to eligible students. NSF grant workshops are offered through the James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies (LGS) in the summer and fall. Graduate students can contact Tamara Caspary, associate dean for strategic projects at LGS, for information about applying for NSF grants. Students are also encouraged to visit the LGS newsroom and read the Grad Report, published on Tuesdays, for updates about upcoming workshops. The workshops were especially valuable as NSF eligibility rules shifted mid‑cycle, requiring rapid outreach to eligible students.

🏆 Award Winners (AwardeeList 1)

Name

Emory Connection

Barthel, Sophia G*

Baccalaureate Institution

Caudle, Jenna Dell*

Current Institution

Chang, Nicholas J

Baccalaureate Institution

Creighton, Morgan C

Both Baccalaureate & Current

Garcia, Madeline

Both Baccalaureate & Current

Hartzler, Aniya*

Current Institution

Heanue, Elias L

Baccalaureate Institution

Miller, Blake Andrew

Both Baccalaureate & Current

Musoni, Nyasha G

Baccalaureate Institution

Risin, Maya A

Baccalaureate Institution

Rivera-Hernández, Angelys M*

Current Institution

Story, Loagn Tallulah

Both Baccalaureate & Current

Thomas, Caroline

Baccalaureate Institution

🎖️ Honorable Mentions (AwardeeList 2)

Name

Emory Connection

Bloomer, Madeleine Marcy

Baccalaureate Institution

Chiok, Benjamin Nicolas

Both Baccalaureate & Current

Clerici, Madeline Grace*

Baccalaureate Institution

Griffin, Martin N

Current Institution

Keane, Victoria Marie

Baccalaureate Institution

Real-Aguilar, Sigrid Nicole*

Current Institution

Romac, McKenna Drew

Current Institution

Vazquez Narvaez, Kiara Ailani

Baccalaureate Institution

Williams, Cayley*

Current Institution