The National Science Foundation (NSF) has unveiled a significant funding opportunity titled ‘International Research Experiences for Students’ (IRES), as per the Grants Notice 24-506, to foster the development of a globally engaged, skilled workforce. With an impressive budget of $12 million, the initiative is set to award approximately 25 grants across various NSF-funded scientific and educational disciplines. Announced on November 8, 2023, this program is designed to support active research participation by undergraduate and graduate U.S. science and engineering students in international research, education, and professional development. Applications are invited until February 5, 2024, encouraging institutions and eligible non-profit organizations to submit proposals that will facilitate high-quality international research experiences.
Reflecting NSF’s commitment to enhancing U.S. leadership in science and engineering, the IRES program aims to build a world-class STEM workforce by providing students with opportunities to engage in collaborative research abroad. The initiative not only emphasizes the importance of international research experience in advancing students’ careers but also strengthens economic competitiveness by training the next generation of research leaders. The NSF encourages proposals that include a variety of virtual, hybrid, and other innovative approaches to maintain and strengthen international collaboration, extending the scope of these experiences beyond the physical travel and enriching the overall value of the IRES program.
Opportunity ID: 350910
General Information
| Document Type: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number: | 24-506 |
| Funding Opportunity Title: | International Research Experiences for Students |
| Opportunity Category: | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation: | |
| Funding Instrument Type: | Grant |
| Category of Funding Activity: | Science and Technology and other Research and Development |
| Category Explanation: | |
| Expected Number of Awards: | 25 |
| CFDA Number(s): | 47.041 — Engineering 47.049 — Mathematical and Physical Sciences 47.050 — Geosciences 47.070 — Computer and Information Science and Engineering 47.074 — Biological Sciences 47.075 — Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences 47.076 — STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources) 47.079 — Office of International Science and Engineering 47.083 — Integrative Activities 47.084 — NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: | No |
| Version: | Synopsis 1 |
| Posted Date: | Nov 08, 2023 |
| Last Updated Date: | Nov 08, 2023 |
| Original Closing Date for Applications: | Feb 05, 2024 |
| Current Closing Date for Applications: | Feb 05, 2024 |
| Archive Date: | Nov 21, 2029 |
| Estimated Total Program Funding: | $ 12,000,000 |
| Award Ceiling: | $ |
| Award Floor: | $ |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants: | Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) |
| Additional Information on Eligibility: | *Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. – <span>Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) – Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members.</span> *Who May Serve as PI: All PIs, Co-PIs and Senior Personnel on IRES proposals must be from U.S. based organizations. Foreign collaborators cannot be listed as PIs, Co-PIs or Senior Personnel. |
Additional Information
| Agency Name: | National Science Foundation |
| Description: | The International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) program supports international research and research-related activities for U.S. science and engineering students. The IRES program contributes to development of a diverse, globally engaged workforce with world-class skills. IRES focuses on active research participation by undergraduate and/or graduate students in high quality international research, education and professional development experiences in NSF-funded research areas. The overarching, long-term goals of the IRES program are to enhance U.S. leadership in science and engineering research and education and to strengthen economic competitiveness through training the next generation of science research leaders. IRES focuses on the development of a world-class U.S. STEM workforce through international research experiences for cohorts of U.S. students. Student participants supported by IRES funds must be citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States. Students do not apply directly to NSF to participate in IRES activities. Students apply to NSF-funded investigators who receive IRES awards. To identify appropriate IRES projects, students should consult the directory of active IRES awards. All PIs, co-PIs and Senior Personnel on IRES proposals must be from U.S. based organizations. Personnel from international partners should be listed as “non-NSF funded collaborators.” Guidance on information to provide for “non-NSF funded collaborators” is found in Section V.A. IRES projects engage a group of undergraduate and/or graduate students in active high-quality collaborative research, in principle at an international site with mentorship from international researchers. IRES projects must be organized around a coherent overarching intellectual theme that may involve a single discipline or multiple disciplines funded by NSF. For all IRES proposals, PIs are strongly encouraged to outline a variety of virtual, hybrid or other alternative approaches to strengthen and maintain international collaboration in addition to travel. It is expected that these approaches will extend collaboration beyond the actual international trip and strengthen IRES proposals overall. |
| Link to Additional Information: | NSF Publication 24-506 |
| Grantor Contact Information: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact: NSF grants.gov support
grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov |