Below is a summary assembled by the Research & Innovation Office (RIO). Please see the full solicitation for complete information about the funding opportunity. Note: this call is strictly for a non-lead project due to NSF requiring non-R1 institutions to serve as leads.

Program Summary

This National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Institutional Partnership Pilot (NRT-IPP) Program represents a collaboration between the Directorates for STEM Education (EDU) and Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP). The key goal of this program is to pilot a new partnership approach that will support research and education projects with high industry relevance and that may subsequently be integrated as a separate Track of .

Proposals submitted in response to this solicitation must represent an effective partnership among: (a) a non-R1 Institution of Higher Education (IHE) (lead institution), (b) an non-lead IHE (an R1 or non-R1) that has either an ongoing or completed NRT program in at least one of the focus areas defined for this pilot (see below), and (c) two to three industry partners in the same focus area(s).

The NRT project at the participating non-lead IHE partner should have successfully completed at least three years of work, as demonstrated by three approved annual reports at the time of submission. The lead institution should not have an existing master’s degree in the chosen focus area(s). Investigators from a lead institution that has an existing graduate certificate, a track within an existing master’s program that is broader than or distinct from the chosen focus area(s), or a Ph.D. program in one or more of the chosen focus areas are encouraged to contact the Program Officers to inquire about eligibility.

Focus Areas:

  1. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, and related advances.
  2. High performance computing, semiconductors, and advanced computer hardware and software.
  3. Quantum information science and engineering.
  4. Robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing.
  5. Natural and anthropogenic disaster prevention or mitigation.
  6. Advanced communications technology and immersive technology.
  7. Biotechnology, medical technology, genomics, and synthetic biology.
  8. Data storage, data management, distributed ledger technologies, and cybersecurity, including biometrics.
  9. Advanced energy and industrial efficiency technologies, such as batteries and advanced nuclear technologies, including but not limited to, for the purposes of electric generation (consistent with section 15 of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1874)).
  10. Advanced materials science, including composites 2D materials, other next-generation materials, and related manufacturing technologies.

Deadlines

ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Internal Deadline: 11:59pm MST June 3, 2024

Sponsor Application Deadline: 5:00pm MT July 22, 2024

Internal Application Requirements (all in PDF format)

  • Project Description (3 pages maximum): Please include the following details: 1) List of Core Participants; 2) Focus Area(s) and Brief Description of the Accomplishments of the NRT Program at the non-lead Institutional Partner; 3) Vision and Goals; 4) Organization and Management; 5) Education and Training; 6) Required Skills and Competencies; 7) Industry Partnership Plan; 8) Major Research Efforts; 9) Broader Impacts; 10) Recruitment, Mentoring, and Retention; 11) Performance Assessment/Project Evaluation; 12) Independent Advisory Committee; 13) Deliverables from Lead Institution and Non-Lead; and 14) Recent Student Training Experiences. See the full NSF for complete details.
  • PI Curriculum Vitae: Please include both the lead PI and non-lead PI’s CV.
  • Budget Overview (1 page maximum): A basic budget outlining project costs is sufficient; detailed OCG budgets are not required.

To access the online application, visit:

Eligibility

Proposals submitted in response to this solicitation must represent a partnership among: (a) a non-R1 Institution of Higher Education (IHE) (lead institution), (b) a non-lead IHE (an R1 or non-R1) that has either an ongoing or completed NRT program in at least one of the focus areas defined for this pilot (see below), and (c) two to three industry partners in the same focus area(s).

An individual may serve as Principal Investigator (PI) or co-PI on only one (1) proposal submitted to this program solicitation.

The PI must hold a tenured faculty appointment at the Associate/Full Professor rank or equivalent at an eligible non-R1 organization.

Limited Submission Guidelines

Eligible R1 and non-R1 IHEs may participate in one (1) proposal as a non-lead partner.

Award Information

NRT-IPP awards (approximately 5 awards each year) are expected to be up to five (5) years in duration with a total budget up to $4,500,000. No more than 30% of the total award budget can be provided to the non-lead IHE partner.

Review Criteria

In addition to NSF’s standard criteria of intellectual merit and broader impacts, note the solicitation specific criteria below. The internal review process will evaluate submissions following these criteria.

Integration of Research and Education

  • Does the proposal address training needs that are not currently available at the institution(s) and/or in disciplines related to the proposed project’s focus? Are there clear and compelling connections between the training elements and the focus area? Is there a clear plan to offer a graduate credential to participants before a master’s degree program is fully developed and approved? Is there clear integration of research in the focus area with the timeline, requirements, and milestones of the credential-bearing programs, including the planned master’s degree? Is there evidence that program activities will persist beyond the duration of the award?

Industry Engagement

  • What is the quality of the project team’s prior engagement with the industry partners identified in the proposal? Do support letters from the industry partners and related proposal content clearly identify their role and commitment for the proposed NRT program? Are plans for continued industry engagement to support sustainability within graduate program(s) at the lead institution included in the proposal that?

Professional Development

  • What is the breadth and quality of the plan to provide NRT trainees with professional development training for a range of research and research-related career pathways, both within and outside academia, with an emphasis on industry? Does the project provide the training in communication, team science, collaboration, and ethics? Are the training expectations sufficient, and is the training structured in such a way that they will not hinder trainee research or degree progress?

Integrating Diversity into NSF Programs, Projects, and Activities

  • Are the recruiting and retention plans likely to broaden participation? Is there evidence of sufficient engagement of key personnel? Are collaborations and/or existing programs appropriately engaged?

Evaluation

  • Does the evaluation plan include intended outcomes, performance measures, benchmarks, and an evaluation timetable, as well as a description of how formative evaluation will improve practice? Are both research and educational activities addressed by the evaluation plan? Is there a plan to share insights, practices, and findings broadly? Will the evaluation generate evidence to inform efforts to sustain the program?