U.S. National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) Program
Can you apply?
This grant is for academic institutions training graduate students in STEM research. Eligible applicants are U.S. accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities, including community colleges. The PI must be faculty at the submitting institution. Proposals should address interdisciplinary or convergent research themes of national priority and emphasize workforce development and broad participation.
International branch campuses may be involved only if benefits are clearly justified. Minority-serving institutions and emerging research institutions are strongly encouraged to apply. Collaborations with private sector, NGOs, government agencies, and other academic partners strengthen proposals.
This grant is for academic institutions training graduate students in STEM research. Eligible applicants are U.S. accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities, including community colleges. The PI must be faculty at the submitting institution. Proposals should address interdisciplinary or convergent research themes of national priority and emphasize workforce development and broad participation.
International branch campuses may be involved only if benefits are clearly justified. Minority-serving institutions and emerging research institutions are strongly encouraged to apply. Collaborations with private sector, NGOs, government agencies, and other academic partners strengthen proposals.
Program 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 described in section II.D below.
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 reflect collaborations between NRT proposals and existing NSF Eddie Bernice Johnson Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (INCLUDES) Initiative, Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP), NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM), and NSF STEM Ed Organizational Postdoctoral Fellowship program (STEM Ed OPRF) projects, provided the collaboration will strengthen both projects. Researchers at minority serving institutions and emerging research institutions are strongly encouraged to submit proposals. Collaborations between NRT proposals and existing NSF INCLUDES projects should strengthen both NRT and INCLUDES projects.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for academic institutions training graduate students in STEM research. Eligible applicants are U.S. accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities, including community colleges. The PI must be faculty at the submitting institution. Proposals should address interdisciplinary or convergent research themes of national priority and emphasize workforce development and broad participation.
International branch campuses may be involved only if benefits are clearly justified. Minority-serving institutions and emerging research institutions are strongly encouraged to apply. Collaborations with private sector, NGOs, government agencies, and other academic partners strengthen proposals.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NSF FastLane/Grants.gov application form (SF-424)
- Project Narrative (research plan and traineeship design)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Institutional Commitment Letter
- Letters of Commitment from Partner Organizations
- Curriculum Vitae of PI and Co-PIs
- Postdoctoral Researcher Development Plan (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.049 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$570,618,065
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$480,514,346
-
$406,246,554
-
$277,033,094
-
$236,459,999
-
$190,969,692
-
$159,846,534
-
$144,261,921
-
$140,880,752
-
$124,000,000
Top States by Funding
- VA 5 awards $955.1M
- DC 4 awards $907.5M
- CA 12 awards $589.6M
- AZ 8 awards $566.5M
- NY 7 awards $319.1M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.049). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,539,910,000 | |
| 2025 | $1,537,650,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $512,280,000 |
FAQ
Who can submit an NRT proposal?
U.S. accredited institutions of higher education (including community colleges). The PI must be faculty at the submitting institution.
What research areas are eligible?
Interdisciplinary or convergent research themes of national priority. The program emphasizes STEM workforce development and broad participation.
Can we include an international branch campus in our proposal?
Yes, if you clearly explain the benefits and justify why activities cannot occur at your U.S. campus. Include this explanation in your proposal.
What is the typical award amount?
Awards typically range from $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 over the project period.
Is cost sharing required?
No. Cost sharing is not a requirement for NRT proposals.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize collaboration with external partners (industry, nonprofits, government, national labs) to strengthen your proposal and demonstrate impact.
- Highlight how your project will increase broad participation in STEM, especially for underrepresented groups. Connect to NSF INCLUDES and other diversity initiatives.
- Show how your traineeship develops workforce-ready skills beyond traditional research. Include career pathways and professional development components.
- Provide clear evidence that your research theme addresses national priority areas. Use recent NSF strategic documents to frame urgency.
- Involve faculty from multiple disciplines and institutions to demonstrate genuine convergence, not just a collection of single-discipline courses.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals focus narrowly on individual research projects instead of comprehensive traineeship models that develop diverse career skills. Applicants underestimate the importance of broad participation goals and fail to demonstrate concrete strategies for recruiting and supporting underrepresented groups. Weak or superficial partnerships with external organizations fail to show mutual benefit or substantive collaboration.
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