The NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) program seeks
proposals that explore ways for graduate students in research-based
master’s and doctoral degree programs to develop the skills, knowledge,
and competencies needed to pursue a range of STEM careers. The program
is dedicated to effective training of STEM graduate students in high
priority interdisciplinary or convergent research areas, through a
comprehensive traineeship model that is innovative, evidence-based, and
aligned with changing workforce and research needs. Proposals are
requested that address any interdisciplinary or convergent research
theme of national priority, as noted above.
The NRT program addresses workforce development,
emphasizing broad participation, and institutional capacity building
needs in graduate education. The program encourages proposals that
involve strategic collaborations with the private sector,
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, national
laboratories, field stations, teaching and learning centers, informal
science centers, and academic partners. NRT especially welcomes
proposals that include partnership with NSF Inclusion across the Nation
of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in
Engineering and Science (INCLUDES) and leverage INCLUDES project efforts
to develop STEM talent from all sectors and groups in our society (https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/big_ideas/includes.jsp). Collaborations between NRT proposals and existing NSF INCLUDES projects should strengthen both NRT and INCLUDES projects.
NRT Track 1 Awards (14-16 awards each year) are expected to be up to
five (5) years in duration with a total budget up to $3,000,000.
NRT Track 2 Awards (4-6 awards each year) are expected to
be up to five (5) years in duration with a total budget up to
$2,000,000.
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:
2; An eligible organization may participate in only two (2)
proposals per NRT competition as lead or collaborative non-lead. All
Track 1 and/or Track 2 NRT proposals will be counted toward this total
limit of two proposals per organization.