Professional Research Experience Program | 2017 NIST PREP 01

Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) - NIST (FAQs)

What is the NIST Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) grant opportunity?

This funding opportunity from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) invites eligible accredited U.S. institutions of higher education to apply to run and oversee a structured research partnership program. The program connects the institution's students and affiliates with NIST researchers and facilities for hands-on, mentored research experiences aligned with NIST work.

Who is eligible to apply?

Accredited U.S. institutions of higher education are eligible, including institutions located in U.S. territories.

Is this opportunity intended for individuals to apply directly?

No. Based on the information provided, the applicant is an accredited institution of higher education. The institution applies to establish and manage the PREP program and then recruits and supports individuals (participants) who will engage in research with NIST.

What is the main purpose of the PREP program described in this solicitation?

The purpose is to formalize and expand collaborative research relationships between NIST staff and emerging researchers by creating an institution-managed pipeline that recruits, places, supports, and coordinates participants in NIST-relevant research while keeping them connected to their home academic institution.

What does NIST expect the awardee institution to do?

The awardee institution is expected to establish and manage an ongoing program, not just place individuals at NIST. The institution would recruit participants, place them into collaborative research experiences with NIST researchers and facilities, provide support and coordination, and maintain the participants' connection to the home institution.

What types of participants are intended to be supported through PREP?

The program is designed to include a range of emerging researchers, including undergraduate students, graduate students, recent graduates with bachelor's or master's degrees, postdoctoral fellows, and other academic affiliates tied to the participating institution.

Does the program focus on specific research areas?

Yes. The targeted research areas are broadly within STEM and specifically aligned to the technical work of NIST laboratories and major programs. Proposed activities are expected to align with NIST's mission and research priorities as reflected in NIST's laboratory and program portfolio.

Which academic disciplines are included as examples of eligible or relevant fields?

The solicitation notes that eligible disciplines include, but are not limited to: biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical sciences, physics, and statistics.

Do proposed projects need to match NIST laboratory programs?

Yes. NIST emphasizes that disciplines and activities must be relevant to its laboratory programs, and applicants are expected to align proposed activities with NIST's mission and research priorities.

Where do PREP research opportunities take place?

Research opportunities are tied to specific NIST campuses and are organized into two main program locations: PREP Boulder and PREP Gaithersburg.

What is PREP Boulder?

PREP Boulder supports work at NIST's Boulder, Colorado campus.

What is PREP Gaithersburg?

PREP Gaithersburg covers research opportunities at NIST's Gaithersburg, Maryland campus and may also include work at the Charleston, South Carolina location.

Can an institution apply for only one location, or must it apply for both?

An applicant institution can choose to apply to establish and manage only a PREP Boulder program, only a PREP Gaithersburg program, or both, depending on the institution's capacity and alignment with NIST sites and research needs.

What type of federal funding instrument is used for this opportunity?

The opportunity is issued as a cooperative agreement, described as a discretionary federal funding program.

What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement indicates that NIST expects to have substantial involvement in the execution of the program compared to a standard grant.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The listing is associated with CFDA number 11.620.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is 2017 NIST PREP 01.

What are the key dates provided for this opportunity?

The posting indicates it was created on June 6, 2017, and the application closing date shown is August 4, 2017.

Does the provided information include an award ceiling or expected number of awards?

No. The summary data provided does not include an award ceiling or the expected number of awards.

What is the central deliverable or outcome NIST is seeking through this award?

The central deliverable is an institution-run program that recruits, places, supports, and coordinates PREP participants in collaborative research experiences with NIST. The intended outcome is to strengthen ties between NIST and academia and to develop the STEM workforce through hands-on, mentored research at federal research campuses.

How does the program maintain participants' connection to their home institution?

The opportunity description states that participants engage in research at NIST while maintaining a connection to their home academic institution, and that the awardee institution manages an ongoing pipeline and support system. Specific mechanisms are not detailed in the provided information.

Does PREP include research at locations beyond Boulder and Gaithersburg?

Based on the provided information, PREP Gaithersburg may also include work at the Charleston, South Carolina location. No other locations are mentioned.