National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) Program Agency

Funding Agency:

  • National Science Foundation
RFP# and Website: 
NSF 21-536
Description: 

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.

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: 1

Awards: 

Standard Grant

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.
Anticipated Funding Amount: 

$55,000,000

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.

Letter of Intent: 
Not required
Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s): 

Institutional Pre-Proposal Submission: Please contact Shawn Chester at shawn.chester@njit.edu with an internal Letter of Intent including extended summary, intellectual merit, broader impact and budget outline sections by July 21, 2023 to check if an institutional review/approval is needed (in case of multiple proposals).

Full Proposal Submission Deadline: 

September 06, 2023

Contacts: