Individual graduate students may apply directly for the East Asia & Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI). In addition, graduate students may be supported for international research and education visits as part of a number of programs. Note that INT support is targeted at students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled at U.S. institutions.

Details are provided in the sections below.

1. East Asia & Pacific Summer Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students (EAPSI)
2. Dissertation enhancement projects
3. International support for NSF Graduate Research Fellowships
4. Global Graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education (Global GK-12)
5. International Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (International IGERT)
6. International research opportunities for students
7. Research planning visits
8. Graduate student participation in "cooperative research" and "joint workshops and seminars"
9. Graduate student participation in international linkages for NSF centers

1. East Asia & Pacific Summer Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students (EAPSI)

The East Asia & Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI) provide U.S. graduate students in science and engineering with first-hand experience in Australian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese research environments, an introduction to the science and science policy infrastructure of the respective locations, and language training during an eight week summer program. International airfare, living expenses in the host location, and a summer stipend of $3,000 are provided. Consult the East Asia & Pacific Summer Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students (EAPSI) Announcement (NSF 03-608) and the NSF Tokyo Office Summer Programs web pages for current information.

2. Dissertation enhancement projects

Dissertation enhancement projects support dissertation research conducted by graduate students at a foreign site. Students are expected to work in close cooperation with a host country institution and investigator. The applicant is responsible for making all necessary arrangements with the host country institution and scientist. The doctoral faculty advisor, on behalf of the student, submits the dissertation enhancement proposal.

In addition to the international travel and associated living costs, support may also be provided for materials and supplies, survey fees, field assistants, specialized research equipment, and other expenses, when justified as necessary for the conduct of the dissertation research.

For more information and application details, go to International Opportunities for Scientists and Engineers (NSF 03-559).

As an alternative to an INT proposal, both the Biological Sciences (BIO) and the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) Directorates will support dissertation improvement grants with international collaborative components. These proposals should be submitted to the appropriate BIO or SBE program. INT will co-review such proposals to determine eligibility for additional funding from INT. Students are discouraged from simultaneously submitting similar proposals to INT and the relevant BIO or SBE program.

3. International support for NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

NSF Graduate Research Fellowships offer three years of support that can be used over a five year period for advanced study and are awarded to approximately 900 new graduate students each year. The Fellowship program offers a one-time international research travel allowance of $1,000 for fellows who plan to study or do research full-time at a foreign site for at least 3 continuous months. For students wishing to conduct research in close cooperation with a host country investigator, INT will consider additional support for foreign travel and subsistence and for other expenses related to the international collaboration. The applicant is responsible for making all necessary arrangements with the host country institution and scientist, and funding decisions will be made on the basis of submitted research plans. Support for the international collaboration may be requested as a supplement at any time during the five year fellowship period.

4. Global Graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education (Global GK-12)

The NSF Graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education (GK-12) program provides fellowships to graduate and advanced undergraduate students in science, mathematics, engineering and technology for work with teachers in the Nation’s K-12 schools. Academic institutions apply for awards to support fellowship activities, and are responsible for selecting fellows. INT encourages current grantees and new applicants to design programs that introduce science educator teams (the graduate fellows and K-12 teachers) to foreign research and pedagogy, enabling them to conduct research or intensive study projects in their area of interest. Funds can be requested to support visits (international travel and subsistence) for study, research, and education programs, and other expenses related to the international activity. Proposals should describe the institutional relationships that will enable the activities, or how the necessary international partnerships will be developed. Proposals should also include plans for how fellows and teachers will share their international experiences in their classrooms.

5. International Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (International IGERT)

NSF’s Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) Program supports innovative, research-based, graduate education and training activities in critical, emerging areas of science and engineering. A multidisciplinary research theme provides a framework for integrating research and education and for promoting collaborative efforts across departments and institutions. INT encourages current grantees and new applicants to develop international activities that will benefit both the education and research aspects of their programs, while developing international experience, competence, and outlook among new generations of U.S. scientists and engineers. Funds can be requested to support research internships at foreign university or industry laboratories and field experiences, as well as other expenses related to the international activity. Proposals should describe the institutional relationships that will enable the activities, as well as how students will be mentored in terms of their international activities.

6. International research experiences for students

INT welcomes creative proposals for support of international research experiences for students at all levels. As described in the program announcement International Opportunities for Scientists and Engineers (NSF 03-559), support can be provided to Principal Investigators to develop opportunities to introduce small groups of U.S. students to foreign science and engineering in the context of a research experience which will also help initiate personal relationships that will foster the students' capabilities to engage in future international cooperative activities. Proposals are accepted from academic research institutions, professional societies, or consortia on behalf of a small group of students in a particular field, and proposals involving more than one institution are encouraged. Proposals should describe arrangements for placing each student with appropriate academic and/or industrial laboratories, obtaining housing for students, and providing them with an introduction to the culture of the host country. The proposal should specify the criteria to be used to select the students. Funds can be requested for participant support costs (including stipends, international travel and subsistence) and for other expenses related to the international activity.

7. Research planning visits

Planning visits offer U.S. researchers the opportunity to consult with their prospective foreign partners to finalize plans for a cooperative activity eligible for consideration for support by NSF. This mechanism is used sparingly. Evidence of substantive prior communication and preparation is required. INT provides the international airfare, associated living costs, and incidental expenses at the foreign site. Visits typically range from 7-14 days. Applicants should consult with the appropriate INT program officer before submitting a planning visit proposal.

Proposals for research planning visits must be submitted by a principal investigator (PI). When justified in terms of research qualifications and involvement in the proposed collaboration, funds may be requested for a graduate student to accompany the PI on travel.

For more information and application details, go to International Opportunities for Scientists and Engineers (NSF 03-559).

8. Graduate student participation in “cooperative research” and “joint workshops and seminars”

Cooperative research activities are based on international collaborations, carried out either in the United States or abroad. Such projects initiate international collaboration with foreign counterparts, or promote new types of activities with established international partners. INT encourages the participation of students and junior researchers in collaborative research projects, and will provide additional support for their international travel and associated living and research costs.

Joint workshops and seminars should be focused on a specific, well-defined research area. INT supported workshops/seminars are designed to identify common research priorities, and to explore possible areas of joint research cooperation. Workshops/seminars typically involve a U.S. co-organizer and an international co-organizer, who collaboratively design and implement the meeting, which can be held at either a U.S. or foreign location. The pool of U.S. participants should include junior researchers, women and members of underrepresented groups, and/or graduate or undergraduate students.

For more information and application details, go to International Opportunities for Scientists and Engineers (NSF 03-559).

9. Graduate student participation in international linkages for NSF centers

NSF-supported centers make significant contributions to the advancement of science and engineering research and education. INT encourages current center grantees, new applicants to the center programs, or those working in cooperation with NSF-supported centers, to develop innovative international research and educational activities. Linkages with U.S. industry, universities, community colleges and secondary schools are encouraged. Proposals should highlight how the center’s research and educational objectives will be advanced through international linkages. Applicants should also explain how the infrastructure of the center will enable productive research collaboration and the sending of American students and junior researchers to the foreign laboratories. Funds can be requested for participant support costs (including stipends, international travel and subsistence) and other expenses related to the international activity. Current NSF Center Directors are also invited to propose developmental visits to meet with foreign colleagues and make arrangements for international linkages.

Proposals for international linkages for centers should generally follow the guidelines for “cooperative research” in the program announcement International Opportunities for Scientists and Engineers (NSF 03-559). Individuals should consult with the appropriate INT program officer for more information.

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