U.S. National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) Program | 24 597

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) Program?

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Traineeship (NRT) Program is a graduate education and workforce development funding opportunity that supports new or strengthened traineeship models for STEM graduate students. The focus is on improving how graduate students are trained for today s research environment and a wide range of career pathways.

2) What is the main purpose of the NRT Program?

The program aims to help STEM graduate trainees develop practical, transferable skills alongside deep technical expertise. The goal is to better prepare trainees for careers across academia, industry, government, nonprofits, and other sectors, reflecting evolving workforce needs and the realities of interdisciplinary research.

3) What types of graduate students does NRT focus on?

NRT supports traineeship models for students enrolled in research based master s and doctoral programs in STEM fields.

4) What kinds of projects does NSF want to fund through NRT?

NSF seeks proposals that create or strengthen comprehensive traineeship models. Competitive projects are expected to integrate multiple elements of graduate training (research, professional development, mentoring, and career exploration) into a coherent traineeship experience that goes beyond traditional coursework.

5) What does NSF mean by an innovative and evidence grounded training approach?

Based on the opportunity description, NSF is looking for training approaches that are innovative while also being grounded in evidence about what works in graduate education. Proposals should clearly align their training model with workforce needs and interdisciplinary research realities.

6) Is interdisciplinary research required?

Yes. A central requirement is that projects revolve around a high priority interdisciplinary or convergent research area tied to a theme of national importance. NRT is intended to move beyond traditional single department training and instead build cross disciplinary training ecosystems.

7) What does convergent research imply in the context of NRT?

In this opportunity, convergent research is described as work that crosses disciplinary lines and is organized around problems that require multiple fields working together. The traineeship is expected to be built around that kind of cross cutting research area.

8) What does NSF mean by a theme of national importance?

The solicitation indicates that the interdisciplinary or convergent research area must be tied to a theme of national importance. The specific themes are not listed in the provided information, but the key point is that the traineeship s research focus should connect to a nationally significant area rather than being narrowly departmental.

9) What are the core components NSF expects traineeships to include?

Projects are expected to go beyond coursework by integrating research experiences, professional development, mentoring structures, and career exploration into one intentional and comprehensive traineeship model.

10) What is meant by institutional capacity building?

Institutional capacity building refers to NSF s expectation that awardees will use the grant to create sustainable improvements in graduate training. The intent is for the changes to outlast the grant period and influence broader graduate education practices at the institution.

11) How important is workforce development in this program?

Workforce development is an explicit priority. Proposals should align training with evolving workforce needs and prepare trainees for diverse STEM career outcomes across multiple sectors.

12) What does NRT emphasize regarding broad participation?

Broad participation is an explicit priority. Proposals are expected to consider who has access to advanced STEM training and how the program will remove barriers and expand opportunity.

13) Are minority serving institutions (MSIs) encouraged to apply?

Yes. NSF specifically encourages submissions from minority serving institutions, signaling interest in proposals that grow training capacity in institutions that have historically been under resourced in research infrastructure.

14) Are emerging research institutions encouraged to apply?

Yes. NSF specifically encourages submissions from emerging research institutions, reflecting an interest in expanding traineeship capacity beyond traditionally well resourced research environments.

15) Are partnerships and collaborations important for NRT proposals?

Yes. Collaboration is described as a major feature of what NSF wants to see. Competitive proposals often include strategic partners that can strengthen the traineeship through real world contexts, experiential opportunities, co mentoring, or access to specialized facilities and data.

16) What types of partner organizations can be involved?

The opportunity description lists potential partners such as private sector companies, non governmental organizations, government agencies, national laboratories, field stations, teaching and learning centers, informal science centers, and other academic institutions.

17) What are examples of how partnerships can strengthen a traineeship?

Partnerships can provide real world problem contexts, internships or externships, co mentoring, access to facilities or data, and clearer pathways into diverse STEM careers.

18) Does NSF encourage alignment with other NSF funded efforts?

Yes. NSF highlights potential alignment with existing NSF funded efforts including INCLUDES, REU, LSAMP, S STEM, and STEM Ed OPRF, particularly when the collaboration is designed to strengthen both the NRT project and the partner effort in concrete ways.

19) What does NSF mean by collaborations that strengthen both sides?

The description indicates NSF is particularly interested in collaborations that reinforce both the NRT project and the partner project in meaningful ways, rather than being superficial add ons.

20) Who is eligible to submit an NRT proposal?

Eligibility is limited to U.S. Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs). Two year and four year accredited colleges and universities, including community colleges, may submit proposals as the applicant organization on behalf of their faculty.

21) Can community colleges apply as the submitting institution?

Yes. The description states that accredited two year institutions, including community colleges, may submit proposals as the applicant organization on behalf of their faculty.

22) Are there any special requirements involving international branch campuses?

Yes. If a proposal would send funding to an international branch campus of a U.S. institution (including through subawards or consultants), the submitting institution must explain why work at the branch campus is beneficial and why the activities cannot be conducted at the U.S. campus.

23) Who must serve as the Principal Investigator (PI) for Track 1 and Track 2?

For Track 1 and Track 2, the Principal Investigator must be a faculty member at the submitting institution. This reinforces that the traineeship is expected to be anchored in the academic unit(s) responsible for graduate education.

24) What type of grant is this?

This opportunity is described as a discretionary NSF grant.

25) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling listed is 3,000,000 dollars.

26) How many awards does NSF expect to make?

NSF anticipates making around 20 awards under this solicitation.

27) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this solicitation?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 24 597.

28) What is the closing date for this opportunity?

The closing date provided is 2024 11 14.

29) What scientific or program areas does the solicitation fall under?

The opportunity spans multiple NSF scientific and education related CFDA areas, reflecting its cross cutting nature and its role in linking research training with broader STEM education and workforce outcomes.

30) What is the overarching expectation for an NRT funded program?

Based on the description, NSF expects an intentionally designed traineeship ecosystem that combines interdisciplinary research training with professional skill building, mentoring, career exploration, collaboration with external partners, attention to broad participation, and sustainable institutional improvements.