The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program

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 |