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NSF Crosscutting Investment Strategies
Human Resource and Career Development

Among NSF’s crosscutting investments are programs directed to the development of a diverse, internationally competitive, and globally engaged workforce of scientists, engineers, and well-prepared citizens. This section of the Guide highlights programs for human resource and career development that are supported as NSF-wide, as well as specific crosscutting programs of the Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR).

NSF sponsors a number of activities directed specifically at bringing members of underrepresented groups into the science and engineering education pipeline and preparing them for potential advancement to the highest levels of leadership. These activities are among those described in this section.

To locate programs that pertain specifically to underrepresented groups, see Programs for Groups Underrepresented in Science and Engineering.

One of the Foundation’s goals is to promote a science and engineering workforce that is globally engaged. To help meet this goal, the Office of International Science and Engineering offers a variety of programs. For further information, visit the Office of International Science and Engineering Web site, http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/int/.

For More Information
For further information about programs for human resource and career development, visit the NSF Crosscutting Programs home page, http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm.

For further information about programs managed by the EHR Directorate, including programs for underrepresented groups, visit the following EHR Division home pages:

Programs at the Undergraduate Level

Activities to enhance undergraduate education in science and engineering are supported throughout NSF. In particular, the Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) in the EHR Directorate and some of the NSF disciplinary directorates support activities that improve science, mathematics, engineering, and technology undergraduate education for majors and non-majors in 2- and 4-year colleges and universities. In addition, the EHR Directorates's Division of Human Resources supports activities designed specifically to help increase the participation of underrepresented minorities. For information about these activities, see the EHR chapter in this Guide.

The NSF cross-directorate Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in science and engineering disciplines supported by NSF. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research and education programs or in projects specially designed for the purpose. Two support mechanisms are offered: REU Supplements and REU Sites. REU Supplements may be included in proposals for new or renewal NSF grants or as supplements to ongoing NSF-funded projects. REU Sites are based on independent proposals to initiate and conduct undergraduate research and education projects for a number of students. REU Sites projects may be based within a single discipline or academic department or be based on interdisciplinary or multiple-department research opportunities with a strong intellectual focus. Proposals with an international dimension are welcomed. Undergraduate student participants supported with NSF funds in either Supplements or Sites must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions.

For More Information
NSF program announcement NSF 03-577, a list of contact people, a list of current REU Sites, and other guidance are available on the REU Web site, http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm/reu/start.htm.

The Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology (UMEB) Program is designed to enable institutions to create innovative programs that will encourage undergraduate students, especially those from underrepresented groups, to pursue a career in environmental biology. UMEB supports projects designed to engage undergraduate students in year-round research activities and provide sustained mentoring support. Further information is available in Program Announcement NSF 03-585.

Programs at the Graduate and Postdoctoral Level

NSF is a major supporter of graduate and postdoctoral education in science and engineering. The majority of this support is embedded in awards to institutions through funds to support graduate research assistants and postdoctoral associates. NSF also supports fellowships and traineeships in the following programs:

Graduate Research Fellowships*

*Note: Graduate students supported as Fellows or Trainees in these programs must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions.

  • NSF is committed to the education of a science and engineering workforce drawn broadly from the Nation’s talent pool. To increase diversity at the graduate level and beyond, NSF offers the Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate Program.
  • The Office of International Science and Engineering offers the East Asia Summer Program to provide U.S. graduate students with eight weeks in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese research environments.

Postdoctoral Fellowships

In addition to supporting postdoctoral associates through NSF research awards to institutions, NSF offers a number of postdoctoral fellowship programs in specific disciplines.

For More Information
A complete list of NSF postdoctoral fellowship programs, including contact names, brief program descriptions, links to program announcements, and other helpful information is available on the NSF FastLane System, https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/jsp/homepage/postdoc_fel.jsp. The following table also lists current postdoctoral fellowship programs and contact information.

Fellowship

Contact

Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biological, Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (NSF 00-139)

BIO Minority Research Fellowships
Biological Infrastructure
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm 615
Arlington, VA 22230
Tel: 703-292-8470
http://www.nsf.gov/bio/dbi/dbitraining.htm#pr_mi

SBE Minority Research Fellowships
Cross-Directorate Activities
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm 995
Arlington, VA 22230
Tel: 703-292-7279
http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/ses/cda/start.htm

In addition to the Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships and the Research Fellowships in Microbial Biology noted above, the BIO Directorate also offers postdoctoral research fellowships in selected areas of biology to provide opportunities for recent doctoral scientists to obtain additional training; gain research experience under the sponsorship of established scientists; and broaden their scientific horizons beyond their research experiences during their undergraduate or graduate training. See http://www.nsf.gov/bio/dbi/dbitraining.htm#pr for complete listing.

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
Biological Infrastructure
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm 615
Arlington, VA 22230
Tel: 703-292-8470
http://www.nsf.gov/bio/dbi/dbitraining.htm#pr

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Microbial Biology (NSF 99-142)

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Microbial Biology
Biological Infrastructure
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm 615
Arlington, VA 22230
Tel: 703-292-8470
http://www.nsf.gov/bio/dbi/dbitraining.htm#pr_m

CISE Postdoctoral Research Associates in Experimental Computer Science (NSF 97-169)

Division of Experimental and Integrative Activities
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm 1160
Arlington, VA 22230
Tel: 703-292-8980
http://www.cise.nsf.gov/eia/index.html

Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (with Research Instructorship option) (NSF 01-126)

Mathematical Sciences University/Industry Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

Infrastructure Program
Division of Mathematical Sciences
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm 1025
Arlington, VA 22230
Tel: 703-292-8870
e-mail: msprf@nsf.gov
http://www.nsf.gov/mps/divisions/dms/start.htm

Graduate Student Industrial Fellowship

Postdoctoral Industrial Fellowship

Dr. Donald Senich
Division of Design, Manufacture, and Industrial Innovation
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm 527
Arlington, VA 22230
Tel: 703-292-7082

Ridge Interdisciplinary Global Experiments (RIDGE 2000) Postdoctoral Fellowships (NSF 02-011)

Division of Ocean Sciences
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm 725
Arlington, VA 22230
Tel: 703-292-8580
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2002/nsf02011/nsf02011.html

NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (NSF 00-136)

Division of Astronomical Sciences
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm 1045
Arlington, VA 22230
Tel: 703-292-8820
e-mail: aapf@nsf.gov

MPS Distinguished International Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (NSF 01-154)

Division of Astronomical Sciences
Rm 1045; Tel: 703-292-8820

Division of Chemistry
Rm 1055; Tel: 703-292-8840

Division of Materials Research
Rm 1065; Tel: 703-292-8810

Division of Mathematical Sciences
Rm 1025; Tel: 703-292-8870

Division of Physics
Rm 1015; Tel: 703-292-8890

National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22230

NSF-NATO Postdoctoral Fellowships in Science and Engineering (NSF 01-163)

NATO Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Division of Graduate Education
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm 907
Arlington, VA 22230
Tel: 703-292-8630
http://www.ehr.nsf.gov/dge/programs/nato

International Research Fellowships (NSF 02-149)

International Research Fellowship Program
Office of International Science and Engineering
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm 935
Arlington, VA 22230
Tel: 703-292-8711
http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/int/int_postdocs.htm

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Postdoctoral Awards for U.S. Researchers

JSPS Postdoctoral Awards
Office of International Science and Engineering
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm 935
Arlington, VA 22230
Tel: 703-292-8704
e-mail: eapinfo@nsf.gov
http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/int/int_postdocs.htm

Specialized Programs

Some NSF programs approach human resource and career development by addressing these issues across several education levels. This approach is used in activities aimed at improving the recruitment and retention of women in careers in science and engineering and at realizing the potential for careers in science and engineering for persons with disabilities. Programs of this type include the following:

  • Program for Gender Equity in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology
  • Program for Persons with Disabilities

Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities

The Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) encourages scientists and engineers with disabilities--including investigators and other staff, postdoctoral associates, student research assistants, and awardees and honorable mention recipients for graduate fellowships--to participate in NSF programs. These awards enable physically disabled persons to facilitate their work by providing funds for special equipment or for the assistance needed in conjunction with NSF-supported projects. A request for special equipment or assistance may be included in a new proposal submitted to any NSF program or in a request for a supplement to an existing NSF grant. Information is available in program announcement NSF 02-115.

Programs for Faculty and Institutional Development

To ensure a broad national base for research, NSF emphasizes developing the research capacity of faculty across a range of institutions, including not only the predominantly undergraduate institutions previously mentioned, but also institutions that have had low participation in NSF programs in the past. The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) is an example of this emphasis.

The following are three examples of specialized programs aimed at the enhancement of research and education in minority-serving institutions:

1. Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER)

The CAREER Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious awards for new faculty members. The CAREER Program recognizes and supports the early career-development activities of those teacher-scholars who are most likely to become the academic leaders of the 21st century. CAREER awardees will be selected on the basis of creative, career-development plans that effectively integrate research and education within the context of the mission of their organization. Such plans should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of integrated contributions to research and education. NSF encourages submission of CAREER proposals from new faculty members at all CAREER-eligible organizations and especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities to apply.

For More Information
Visit the CAREER Web site, http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm/career/start.htm.

2. NSF Component of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)

Each year, NSF selects nominees for PECASE. Nominees are selected from among the most meritorious new awardees supported by the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program (see description of CAREER above). The PECASE Program recognizes outstanding scientists and engineers who early in their careers show exceptional potential for leadership at the frontiers of knowledge. This Presidential Award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. Government on scientists and engineers who are beginning their independent careers.

For More Information
Information about PECASE, including eligibility factors and other pertinent information, is available on the PECASE Web site, http://www.nsf.gov/pecase/.

3. Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI)

The Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) activity supports research by faculty members from predominantly undergraduate institutions by funding (1) individual and collaborative research projects; (2) the purchase of shared-use research instrumentation; and (3) Research Opportunity Awards for work with NSF-supported investigators from other institutions (these three types of support are described below).

All NSF directorates participate in the RUI activity. RUI proposals are evaluated and funded by the NSF program in the disciplinary area of the proposed research. The objectives of RUI are to support high-quality research, strengthen the research environment in academic departments that are oriented primarily toward undergraduate instruction, and promote the integration of research and education.

The involvement of undergraduate students in a research-rich learning environment is an important feature of RUI. However, the primary purpose of RUI is to support faculty research, thereby maintaining the intellectual vibrancy of faculty members in the classroom and research community.

RUI provides the following types of support:

  • Individual-Investigator and Collaborative Faculty Research Projects—Provides support through NSF research programs in response to proposals submitted by individual faculty members or by groups of collaborating investigators. RUI proposals differ from standard NSF proposals in that they include an RUI Impact Statement describing the expected effects of the proposed research on the research and education environment of the institution. Please note: the Directorate for Biological Sciences has special instructions for Collaborative Research at Undergraduate Institutions (C-RUI). See NSF 03-514 for further details.
    Please note: the Directorate for Biological Sciences has special instructions for Collaborative Research at Undergraduate Institutions (C-RUI). See NSF 03-514 for further details.
  • Shared Research Instrumentation and Tools—Provides support for (1) the purchase or upgrade of instrumentation or equipment necessary to support research that will be conducted by several faculty members and (2) the development of new instrumentation.
  • Research Opportunity Awards (ROAs)—Enable faculty members at predominantly undergraduate institutions to pursue research as visiting scientists with NSF-supported investigators at other institutions. ROAs are usually funded as supplements to ongoing NSF research grants. ROAs are intended to increase visitors' research capability and effectiveness; improve research and teaching at their home institution; and enhance the NSF-funded research of the host principal investigator.

For More Information
For further information about the RUI activity, including guidelines for the preparation and submission of proposals, visit the RUI Web site, http://www.ehr.nsf.gov/crssprgm/rui/start.shtm.

Prospective applicants for RUI grants and principal investigators interested in hosting an ROA visiting researcher are urged to contact a program officer in the appropriate discipline.

4. ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers

The ADVANCE Program seeks to improve the climate for women at academic institutions in the United States and facilitate the advancement of women to the highest ranks of academic leadership. The program seeks creative and sustainable approaches from women and men to meet these goals.

ADVANCE provides award opportunities for individuals and organizations through the following:

  • Fellows Awards—Enable promising individuals to establish or re-establish full-time independent academic research and education careers in institutions of higher learning.
  • Institutional Transformation Awards—Support academic institutional transformation to promote the increased participation and advancement of women scientists and engineers in academe.
  • Leadership Awards—Recognize and encourage outstanding contributions of individuals, small groups, and organizations such as professional societies, with widespread impact on increasing the participation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers. These awards enable awardees to sustain, intensify, and initiate new activities designed to increase the participation and advancement of women scientists and engineers in academe.

Members of underrepresented minority groups and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply for an award. Proposals that address the participation and advancement of women from underrepresented minority groups are also encouraged.

For More Information
Visit the ADVANCE Web site, http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm/advance/.

5. Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM)

Administered by NSF on behalf of the White House, the PAESMEM Program seeks to identify outstanding mentoring efforts and programs that are designed to enhance the participation of groups traditionally underrepresented in science, mathematics, and engineering.

For More Information
See program announcement NSF 02-063; or visit the PAESMEM Web site, http://www.ehr.nsf.gov/ehr/hrd/paesmem.asp.

Programs for Groups Underrepresented in Science and Engineering

NSF has a number of special programs that address members of groups underrepresented in science and engineering. Activities are aimed at increasing the participation of underrepresented minorities; improving the recruitment and retention of women and girls in science and engineering careers; and ensuring that persons with disabilities have the opportunity to participate fully in NSF-supported projects. Such efforts include programs for students, faculty, and institutions designed to develop as fully as possible our Nation’s talent pool.

The following is a list of these programs and activities, with reference to their accompanying publication, for further information.

Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO):

  • Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships and Supporting Activities (NSF 00-139)
  • Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology (NSF 03-585)

Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE):

Division of Human Resource Development (HRD), Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR):

  • Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (NSF 01-138)
  • Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (NSF 03-520)
  • Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (NSF 03-592)
  • Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (NSF 03-594)
  • Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (NSF 01-140)
  • Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (NSF 01-54)
  • Program for Gender Equity in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology (NSF 01-6)
  • Program for Persons with Disabilities (NSF 01-67)

Directorate for Engineering (ENG):

  • Biomedical Engineering and Research to Aid Persons with Disabilities (NSF 03-560). Direct inquiries to Dr. Gil Devey, Division of Bioengineering and Environmental Systems, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm. 565, Arlington, VA 22230; or contact by telephone, 703-292-8320.
  • Supplemental Funding for Support of Women, Minorities, and Physically Disabled Engineering Research Assistants (see http://www.eng.nsf.gov/eec/suppfund.htm)

Directorate for Geosciences (GEO):

  • Opportunities for Enhancing Diversity in the Geosciences (NSF 02-104)

Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE):

  • Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (NSF 00-139)

Foundation-Wide Activities:

  • Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (NSF 02-115)
  • ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers (NSF 02-121)
  • Research Assistantships for Minority High School Students (see http://www.nsf.gov/home/students/scholaid.htm, for more information)
 
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