2025 NSF CSGrad4US Graduate Fellowship and Mentoring Program Now Accepting Applications

By Erik Russell, CRA Director of Educational Initiatives

Do you know someone who would thrive in a PhD program in computing? Perhaps a former student, colleague, or mentee with industry experience who’s ready to return to academia? The U.S. National Science Foundation’s Computer and Information Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship Program (NSF CSGrad4US) offers a unique opportunity for individuals to transition back to graduate school and pursue a PhD in computing-related fields, with funding for three years of their selected graduate program.

Through a year-long mentoring program, NSF CSGrad4US guides participants through graduate program selection and the admissions process. Once enrolled, Fellows receive  substantial financial support, enabling them to focus on their research and academic goals. 

Sarah Boelter, a current Fellow from the University of Minnesota, highlighted the program’s transformative impact:

“As someone coming from an industry-focused background, the NSF CSGrad4US Fellowship & Mentoring Program helped me develop realistic expectations for graduate school. The Fellowship gave me the opportunity to leverage the skills I developed over the course of my career and empowered me to bring new ideas and perspectives into the world of academic research.”

Another Fellow, Steven Shi from The University of Texas at Austin, shared:

“I had always wanted to pursue a PhD in the AI/ML field but had financial obligations to meet after graduating. Receiving the CSGrad4US Fellowship not only meant access to resources for my PhD but also having a dedicated mentor during the application process to help tailor my statements to what admissions committees were looking for and befriending a rich network of Fellows who were transitioning from a similar stage in life as me back into academia.”

Faculty and professionals: Think about the talented individuals in your network. Who might benefit from this unique opportunity to get mentorship, support, and guidance to re-enter academia?

Applications are now open and close on May 31, 2025. Learn more about the program by visiting the NSF CSGrad4US program page and reading about its impact in our recent article, NSF CSGrad4US Fellowship Program Shines at AI Education Showcase on Capitol Hill.

Help us spread the word — share this incredible opportunity with someone who’s ready to take the next step in their computing career!