Apply to the NSF Research Traineeship
Start your journey in medical device manufacturing and research.
Who is eligible?
The NRT program is open to current and incoming MS and PhD students in the following ASU degree programs:
- Biological Design
- Mechanical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Life Sciences
- Molecular Sciences
In order to receive NRT stipend support and tuition waiver, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The NRT program encourages participation by students from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities.
Application process
Incoming and current MS and PhD students may apply to the NRT program by submitting their application package to the NRT Project Team. Incoming students must first be formally admitted to their respective degree programs to be eligible.
Applications must be supported by a faculty nomination. The student’s PI or faculty advisor is required to submit a nomination form confirming their commitment to serve as the applicant’s advisor within the NRT program.
To apply for the NRT program, students must submit the following application materials:
Your NRT application must contain:
- A personal statement outlining your proposed research and explaining how it fits within the scope of the NRT. To help you structure this section, you may refer to the following guiding questions: Access to the document
- A letter of recommendation from an NRT faculty member who agrees to serve as your faculty advisor or co-advisor and formally supports your participation in the program. If your intended advisor is not currently affiliated with NRT, they may still serve in this role, provided that they have already agreed to act as your PI or advisor before submission of the application. As a collaborative, research-intensive program, NRT requires that applicants be actively engaged within a research group or laboratory under committed faculty mentorship. Upon acceptance into the program, the PI will become formally affiliated with NRT through the student’s participation.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Transcripts for all universities and colleges attended.
The priority deadline for applications is March 31st.
The NRT Student Affairs Committee will review applications and interview finalists before making final acceptance decisions.
This NRT project will serve a large, diverse STEM graduate population of graduate students at ASU, including NRT trainees with stipends and NRT trainees without stipends. All interested applicants are encouraged to apply, even beyond the priority date, as recruitment for the program is ongoing. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis after the priority date.