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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF IGERT (Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship) Program

1) What is the IGERT program?

The Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Program (IGERT) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity designed to reshape how Ph.D. scientists and engineers are educated and trained in the United States. It focuses on building interdisciplinary training environments so doctoral students develop deep expertise in a home discipline while also learning how to collaborate across fields.

2) What is the main goal of IGERT?

The central goal is to move beyond traditional, siloed graduate education by creating innovative models of interdisciplinary doctoral training that are tightly connected to collaborative research. IGERT aims to produce graduates prepared for research and education careers, with strong technical capability plus professional and personal skills, and who can become leaders and creative agents for change over their careers.

3) Does IGERT fund individual research projects?

No. IGERT is described as a program intended to catalyze innovative models of graduate education and training rather than simply funding individual research projects. The expectation is that training and research are integrated, and that the program helps normalize interdisciplinary collaboration within doctoral training.

4) What kind of cultural change is IGERT trying to create?

IGERT explicitly targets cultural change at multiple levels: graduate students, faculty mentors, and the institutions that run doctoral programs. It encourages new ways of organizing curricula, mentoring, research experiences, and professional development so interdisciplinary collaboration becomes a standard part of the Ph.D. environment.

5) What does IGERT mean by “interdisciplinary training environments”?

Based on the opportunity description, it means programs where students maintain depth in a home discipline while gaining the ability to work productively across disciplinary boundaries. This involves collaborative research connections and training structures that support cross-field collaboration.

6) What skills or outcomes does IGERT emphasize for students?

IGERT emphasizes strong technical capability alongside professional and personal skills. It also emphasizes preparation for research and education careers and developing graduates who can lead and drive change in their fields over time.

7) Is broadening participation a priority in IGERT?

Yes. Broadening participation and strengthening preparation for a more diverse graduate student population is an explicit priority. The description indicates proposals are expected to address recruitment, retention, mentoring, and training practices that expand opportunity and help a wider range of students succeed in advanced STEM doctoral pathways.

8) What is the funding opportunity number for this IGERT announcement?

The funding opportunity number is 10-523.

9) What type of grant opportunity is IGERT under this announcement?

It is a discretionary NSF grant opportunity.

10) What is the estimated total funding amount and expected number of awards?

The estimated total funding amount is $10,800,000, and the opportunity indicates an expected 18 awards.

11) What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?

The funding activity category is “Science and Technology and other Research and Development.”

12) Which NSF areas or CFDA programs are associated with IGERT in this announcement?

The announcement lists a wide range of NSF program areas and CFDA numbers, reflecting the program’s interdisciplinary intent. These include Engineering (47.041), Mathematical and Physical Sciences (47.049), Geosciences (47.050), Computer and Information Science and Engineering (47.070), Biological Sciences (47.074), Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (47.075), Education and Human Resources (47.076), Polar Programs (47.078), the Office of International Science and Engineering (47.079), and the Office of Cyberinfrastructure (47.080).

13) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states that cost sharing or matching is not required.

14) Who is eligible to apply as the lead institution?

Eligibility is limited primarily to U.S. academic institutions (located in the United States, its territories, or possessions) that grant Ph.D. degrees in sciences and engineering. A key requirement is that the lead institution must independently grant the Ph.D. in at least one NSF-supported STEM field.

15) Does a Ph.D.-granting unit have to be involved?

Yes. The description specifies that at least one Ph.D.-granting unit must participate in the IGERT effort.

16) Can multiple institutions participate in a single IGERT project?

Yes. The opportunity allows projects to involve multiple institutions, but it also requires that a single institution take overall management responsibility as the lead.

17) Can non-Ph.D.-granting institutions or nonacademic organizations be involved?

Yes. Non-Ph.D.-granting institutions, nonacademic organizations, and international organizations are allowed to participate as collaborating organizations. The description notes this flexibility can support partnerships with industry, government labs, nonprofits, or global collaborators when those relationships strengthen the training and research environment.

18) Can international organizations participate?

Yes, international organizations may participate as collaborating organizations, according to the opportunity description.

19) Who can serve as the Principal Investigator (PI)?

The Principal Investigator must be a faculty member at the submitting institution.

20) When was this opportunity posted?

The timeline notes the announcement was posted and created on December 29, 2009.

21) Was a preliminary proposal required?

Yes. A preliminary proposal was required, with a due date of March 29, 2010 (by 5 p.m. local time).

22) When were full proposals due?

Full proposals were due September 30, 2010.

23) Were full proposals open submission or restricted?

Full proposals were “by invitation only,” meaning only teams invited after the preliminary proposal stage could submit a full proposal.

24) What is the closing date listed for this announcement?

The original and current closing date listed is September 30, 2010.

25) Where are additional official details referenced?

The opportunity notes that additional details were provided under NSF Publication 10-523.

26) Who should applicants contact for access or technical issues with the full announcement?

For access and technical issues, the announcement directs applicants to NSF grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.