Our Mission

Graduate Fellowships for STEM Diversity (GFSD), formerly the National Physical Science Consortium (NPSC), was founded in 1989 “To increase the number of American citizens with graduate degrees in STEM fields, emphasizing recruitment of a diverse applicant pool.” Graduate Fellowships for STEM Diversity (GFSD) is a partnership between federal agencies & laboratories, industry, and higher education institutions. GFSD has a strong partnership with the University of Southern California. GFSD is a registered US nonprofit (501c3). We are only able to support our fellows through partnerships and generous donation of our sponsors.

What problem are we solving?

Fewer US citizens are getting Ph.Ds in science and engineering fields:

• US citizens make up less than 50% of doctorate recipients in economics, computer science, engineering & math fields

• Women make up 42% of Ph.D recipients and this has been static for 10 years.

• Women make up only 25% of Engineering & 33% of physical science Ph.D degrees

• Hispanic, African American & American Indians combined make up less than 15% of Ph.D.’s awarded

Who do we serve?

The US Government is supporting fewer graduate students in science & engineering fields. It has dropped to 15% in 2019 from 19% in 2010 (~9000 less students are supported) We need more diverse scientists and engineers who can solve big problems the US and world faces in the near future. We need this innovation to reflect diverse problem solving approaches and perspectives, and for it to lead to job creation in the US to grow our economy.

GFSD is open for application by all U.S. citizens regardless of race or gender. The GFSD fellowship supports full-time graduate study only (mostly Ph.Ds). GFSD’s goal is to increase the number of American citizens with graduate degrees in STEM fields, emphasizing recruitment of a diverse applicant pool. And applicants are talented: the average GPA of 2019 applicants was 3.7 and 19% had a GPA of 4.0 or above. GFSD seeks additional government agencies and corporations to support fellowships for these deserving students, a vital national resource.