The NSF Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (MSPRF) program supports emerging leaders in mathematics and statistics by funding their engagement in impactful postdoctoral research environments. Fellows may choose from two award options: the Research Fellowship, which provides up to 18 months of full-time research support within a three-year period, and the Research Instructorship, which combines one year of full-time support with two years of half-time support, facilitating both research and teaching experience. Each fellowship also includes six summer months of support, and research must align with areas in mathematics or statistics, potentially with applications in other fields.

The MSPRF seeks to foster advanced research skills and career development for early-career researchers in mathematical sciences, enhancing their potential for significant contributions to the field. By enabling access to diverse research environments, the program aims to broaden the perspectives and capabilities of Fellows, facilitating interdisciplinary opportunities and collaborations that enhance both individual growth and the broader scientific community’s advancements.

The total fellowship award is set at $190,000, contingent on funding availability. This funding includes a monthly stipend of $5,833 (or $2,917 for half-time) for up to 24 months, alongside $50,000 allocated for research-related expenses and fringe benefits, with lump sums provided in the first two fellowship years. The fellowship explicitly covers research activities and does not permit cost sharing, indirect costs, or supplementation that requires additional duties outside the fellowship’s primary activities.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents who earned their doctoral degree within the last two years. Fellows must propose original research within mathematics or statistics and must not have previously held an MSPRF award or served as a PI on any NSF awards (with certain exceptions). Institutions eligible to host Fellows include U.S.-based universities, national labs, and other research facilities, which must provide a suitable environment for the Fellow’s research and professional development. Host institutions have no limit on the number of Fellows they may accommodate.

Proposals are submitted directly by individual candidates through NSF’s Research.gov platform, including a detailed research plan, reference letters, and a statement from a sponsoring scientist. A Project Description, limited to five pages, must outline the research goals, career impacts, and broader impacts of the fellowship, while a Data Management Plan and a three-page Sponsoring Scientist Statement are also required. Applicants may submit one proposal per year, and the next deadline is the third Wednesday of October annually.

Proposals are reviewed based on NSF’s merit review criteria, encompassing Intellectual Merit (advancement of scientific knowledge) and Broader Impacts (potential societal benefits). Reviewers will assess the proposer’s research potential, the suitability of the sponsoring scientist and institution, and the overall quality of the proposed research. Additional criteria include the proposer’s past research accomplishments, alignment with NSF’s diversity and inclusion goals, and the expected impact on the candidate’s scientific career.

Selected Fellows receive notification via NSF’s Grants and Agreements Office and must adhere to host institution policies and relevant NSF conditions. Required reporting includes a final project outcomes report, submitted within 120 days post-fellowship, summarizing the project’s achievements and outcomes. The MSPRF award is not renewable and may include certain conditions if the Fellow is subject to disciplinary actions relating to institutional codes of conduct.

The fellowship offers significant flexibility for mathematical sciences researchers, promoting career development and interdisciplinary engagement essential for professional growth in mathematics and its applications.