With the national interest so focused on developing talent in the STEM disciplines and the “hard” social sciences (e.g., economics, behavioral sciences), we have been tracking the number of National Science Foundation Graduate Research Grants awarded to universities during the last four years.

Public university leaders in NSF grants are listed below.

NSF graduate research grants are among the most prestigious and valuable awards given to outstanding students.  They also indicate the quality of faculty and facilities and the degree of attention and mentoring that may be available to high-achieving undergraduate researchers.

“Fellows share in the prestige and opportunities that become available when they are selected.  Fellows benefit from a three-year annual stipend of $32,000 along with a $12,000 cost of education allowance for tuition and fees, opportunities for international research and professional development, and the freedom to conduct their own research at any accredited U.S. institution of graduate education they choose.

“NSF Fellows are anticipated to become knowledge experts who can contribute significantly to research, teaching, and innovations in science and engineering. These individuals are crucial to maintaining and advancing the nation’s technological infrastructure and national security as well as contributing to the economic well-being of society at large.”

Public University leaders in NSF grants, 2014:

UC Berkeley–60

Maryland–34

UCLA–29

UC San Diego–29

Florida–28

Illinois–27

Washington–26

UT Austin–24

Michigan–23

Georgia Tech–19

NC State–17

North Carolina–17

Minnesota–16

Rutgers–16

Wisconsin–16

Virginia–15

Arizona–13

Colorado–13

Indiana–13

Nebraska–13

Ohio State–13

Penn State–13

Texas A&M–13

Clemson–12

Missouri–12

Pitt–12

Michigan State–11

Arizona State–10

Arkansas–9

Massachusetts–9

South Carolina–9

UC Irvine–9

UC Santa Barbara–9