The American Political Science Association and various organizations express their disappointment with the National Science Foundation’s decision to exclude crucial social science disciplines and STEM education from the Graduate Research Fellowship Program. These changes threaten the integrity and competitiveness of social science research in the U.S., which has been historically supported by the GRFP since its inception in 1951. The letter urges NSF to reinstate removed fields to ensure broad access and support early career researchers in the social sciences, emphasizing the importance of these disciplines for innovation and economic growth.
The organizations include the American Educational Research Association, the Council of Graduate Schools, and the Midwest Political Science Association, among others.
Last updated: September 21, 2026.
