Funding-Limited Submission – NSF – National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) Program (NSF 14-548); April 22, 2014

Description: The NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) program is a new graduate education initiative designed to encourage the development of bold, new, potentially transformative, and scalable models for STEM graduate training that ensure that graduate students develop the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to pursue a range of STEM careers.

The NRT program initially has one priority research theme - Data-Enabled Science and Engineering (DESE); in addition, proposals are encouraged on any other crosscutting, interdisciplinary theme. In either case, proposals should identify the alignment of project research themes with national research priorities and the need for innovative approaches to train graduate students in those areas. NRT projects should develop evidence-based, sustainable approaches and practices that substantially improve STEM graduate education for NRT trainees and for STEM graduate students broadly at an institution. NRT emphasizes the development of competencies for both research and research-related careers. Strategic collaborations with the private sector, non-governmental organizations, government agencies, museums, and academic partners that enhance research quality and impacts and that facilitate development of technical and transferrable professional skills are encouraged. Creation of sustainable programmatic capacity at institutions is an expected outcome. Proposals accordingly are expected to describe how institutions will support the continuation and institutional-level scaling of effective training elements after award closure.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 2

Each institution may submit up to two proposals. If an institution submits only one proposal, it can be in either DESE or another theme. If an institution submits two proposals, at least one must be in DESE. In any case, the traineeship theme(s) should be interdisciplinary.

See the complete solicitation for additional details and requirements: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14548/nsf14548.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click

Because NSF limits the number of applications per institution, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Researchers interested in submitting a proposal are to submit the following materials electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, April 22, 2014.

(1) Names and departments of the PI and Senior Project Personnel

(2) Title of the program and/or funding opportunity announcement number

(3) Theme (DESE or Other Interdisciplinary Theme)

(4) Project description (2 pages maximum) including a brief description of the project theme, the vision and goals of the proposed training program, the main training elements, and the plan to extend training benefits beyond NRT trainees to a greater population of STEM graduate students on campus.

A committee will be appointed review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicants. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

NSF Deadlines: Letter of Intent (optional) - May 20, 2014;  Full Proposal - June 24, 2014