Research Themes

Artificial Intelligence

The U.S. National Science Foundation Research Traineeship program invests in research at the forefront of AI-driven discovery — to better understand how this powerful technology is transforming the way we work and live today. Projects across the country are exploring groundbreaking new AI systems and the ways they can advance diverse fields — from biology to robotics — to address critical national challenges. Through this work, the program is preparing a new generation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics leaders to harness AI's power ethically and in alignment with society's needs.

Explore how NSF supports research and education in Artificial Intelligence.

Energy and Infrastructure 

The NSF Research Traineeship program invests in cutting-edge research focused on ensuring the preeminence of America's energy production and infrastructure. Traineeship projects across the country are examining new ways to propel advances in technology and engineering to develop infrastructure and energy systems that benefit human health and increase community and economic resilience.

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Quantum Information Science and Engineering

The NSF Research Traineeship program recognizes the extraordinary promise that quantum information science and engineering (QISE) holds in creating next-generation technologies. Traineeship projects across the country are exploring how to harness emerging knowledge of QISE to advance imaging, sensing, computing, modeling, communication and more. The projects are preparing a new generation of quantum leaders to build national competitiveness and transform ideas and research into powerful technological solutions.

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Advanced Materials and Manufacturing

The NSF Research Traineeship program invests in research on advanced materials and manufacturing methods to unlock innovations that people depend on every day. These projects are exploring the development of advanced material development for vital societal applications in flexible semiconductors and microelectronics, biomedical implants, nanomaterials and more. The traineeship is helping to fill critical gaps in the advanced manufacturing workforce across a wide range of sectors, including medicine, agriculture, electronics, energy and national security.

Explore how NSF supports research and education in Advanced Materials and Manufacturing.

Data Science

The NSF Research Traineeship program supports research that leverages data science and advanced computing to fuel wide-ranging discoveries and advances in technology. Projects focus on preparing STEM leaders to contribute to a stronger national data infrastructure, to draw on data to support effective decision making, and to leverage advances in computing to achieve a wide range of social and economic benefits to the American people.

Explore how NSF supports research and education in Data Science and Computing.

Earth and Space Systems

The NSF Research Traineeship program invests in research to deepen understanding of the complex relationships between oceans, land and atmosphere and their impact on the vitality of both human societies and natural ecosystems. Projects focus on preparing a new generation of researchers to navigate the intricacies of dynamic Earth and space systems to advance discoveries in everything from agriculture to transportation — supporting a more sustainable future for all.

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Biotechnology, Bioengineering and Bio-inspired

The NSF Research Traineeship program is committed to supporting researchers across the country who are advancing the biological sciences — deepening the understanding of dynamic living systems and how to help them thrive. Projects focus on preparing a new generation of researchers to bring forward breakthroughs in biotechnology, bioengineering and related fields to address critical societal challenges — from developing advanced American biomanufacturing capabilities to improving the environmental resilience of plants for global food security.

Explore how NSF supports research and education in Biotechnology.

Robotics, Sensors and Automation

The NSF Research Traineeship program recognizes that advances in robotics, sensors and automation can improve human lives while increasing economic prosperity and national competitiveness in these critical fields. Projects explore the ways the rise of robotics can shape the future of work and how advanced sensors can increase access to critical data to inform effective decision-making. Through this work, the traineeship is contributing to a deeper understanding of how to leverage these technologies ethically while protecting safety and privacy.

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People and Society

The NSF Research Traineeship program invests in research on how science and technologies intersect with human behavior and social organizations to affect people's lives. Through these interdisciplinary traineeships, a new generation of scientists is discovering how a deeper understanding of human behavior can benefit society, from generating new technology to sparking economic growth to supporting enhanced health and security.

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Novel Emergent Fields

The NSF Research Traineeship program supports emerging research areas that are becoming increasingly important in the context of graduate STEM education. Projects explore highly convergent research topics — touching on everything from the use of augmented and virtual reality to disaster resilience and strengthening American cybersecurity and cyberinfrastructure — as well as the use of innovative training and professional development strategies to foster the leadership capacity of trainees.

Explore how NSF supports research and education in Novel Emergent Fields.