US NSF News

2,500 Graduate Research Fellowships Announced for 2026-2027

The U.S. National Science Foundation announced it will award 2,500 Graduate Research Fellowships for the 2026-2027 academic year to outstanding graduate students pursuing research-based STEM degrees. Recipients were selected from a highly competitive pool of nearly 14,000 applicants nationwide, representing all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, based on their intellectual merit and broader impacts. The fellowships provide three years of financial support over five years to fellows demonstrating potential for significant achievements in research.

Mikhail Lukin Discusses Neutral Atom Qubits, Quantum Computing

NSF released a podcast episode featuring Mikhail Lukin, an NSF-supported professor, discussing his work with neutral atom qubits and the importance of error correction in quantum computing. The episode covers Lukin's research in quantum information science and engineering, as well as his experience transitioning from academia to founding a company in the quantum computing industry.

Podcast: Colorado School of Mines Research on Critical Minerals Recovery From Mining Byproducts

The National Science Foundation published a podcast on April 21, 2026 featuring Elizabeth Holley, associate professor of mining engineering at Colorado School of Mines, discussing domestic supply strategies for critical minerals essential to modern technologies. The discussion focuses on recovering critical minerals from the byproducts of existing mining sites as a pathway to strengthen national security through increased domestic supply.