<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:13.0pt'>NSF-AF graduate student research training via the INTERN program<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:13.0pt'>Re: NSF Funding opportunity for graduate students to work in AFRL labs for 6 months<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Air Force and the National Science Foundation have pledged to work together to train graduate students in order to fortify the nation’s science and engineering workforce of the future. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>As part of this effort we call your attention to the INTERN program. If you have an active NSF award, you may be eligible for a supplement of up to $55K to enable you to send a graduate student to conduct research at an AFRL Lab for up to six months. </b>Almost any NSF PI can apply to the INTERN program, but AFOSR program communities may be especially appropriate because they often have many AFRL Lab PIs, many academic PIs funded by both agencies, and a well-developed network of ties within the community formed via annual review meetings.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i>Background:<o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Air Force has a renewed focus, outlined in its 2019 <i>Science and Technology Strategy: Strengthening USAF Science and Technology for 2030 and Beyond,</i> on training the next generation of scientists who can advance the Air Force research mission. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Given that over half of the U.S. S&E professionals work in non-academic settings, NSF developed the INTERN program to provide non-academic research experience to graduate students to prepare them for multiple possible career pathways. NSF has committed funds for this program through FY2020.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The two agencies signed a letter of intent to partner to coordinate mutual research interests, focusing on four initial areas: <a name="_Hlk15309157">space operations and geosciences, advanced material sciences, information and data sciences</a>, and <b><u>workforce</u></b> and processes. (emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i>Interested?<o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please read the INTERN Dear Colleague Letter (<a href="https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf18102">https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf18102</a> ) carefully for more details about the Program.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You can talk with your AFOSR PO if you need suggestions for possible AFRL hosts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You must talk with your NSF PO before submitting a supplement request.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Remember – mentoring is an important part of this activity, so be sure that the AFRL Lab host describes mentoring arrangements.<br clear=all style='page-break-before:always'><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:13.0pt'>DRAFT FAQs re NSF-AF graduate student research training via the INTERN program:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><span style='color:red'>General:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Is there a limit on the number of such supplements that can be made under the NSF-AF agreement?<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>The number of supplements will be limited by the available funding at NSF within the programs where the supplements are submitted; however, the number of supplements may be limited more by the interests and schedules of the graduate students, and potentially by the citizenship requirements for working in AFRL labs.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Must the AFRL Lab scientist be funded by AFOSR in order to host an INTERN-funded student?<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>No, there is no such requirement. Rather, the AFRL Lab PIs might be a good starting point for exploring possible recipient AFRL Labs for graduate students.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><span style='color:red'>For AFOSR POs:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Can any AFOSR PO send INTERN information to their PIs?<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>At least for now the Air Force is focusing on using the INTERN mechanism in research areas covered under the AF-NSF letter of agreement (i.e., space operations and geosciences, advanced material sciences, and information and data sciences), in part because in these research communities there is also considerable funding from NSF and funding of multiple strong Lab Tasks. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <b>Does the AFOSR PO have to do the matching?<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>No. You can let your academic and Lab PIs communicate with each other. You can play matchmaker if you wish.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Does the AFOSR PO need to talk with the NSF PO?<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>No, although if you know each other, it might be helpful. This would also help alert the NSF disciplinary points of contact that such supplement requests may be forthcoming. The AFOSR Lab host for the student, however, will need to provide a letter of commitment to the NSF PI.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><span style='color:red'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><span style='color:red'>For PIs:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>NSF usually limits the total supplemental funding available for a project to 20% of the original award. Is this the case for INTERN supplements?<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>No, the INTERN supplement is not limited to 20% of the original award, nor does it count towards the 20% limit for other supplements.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Are master’s and doctoral students eligible?<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>This opportunity is open to PIs who are supporting graduate students through any active NSF award, though there are special conditions in the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS), and the Office of Integrative Activities (OIA). Please see the table in the Dear Colleague Letter for the participating divisions or programs within these organizations and any special conditions for the supplemental funding requests. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Julie Moses<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Program Officer, Space Science<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>AFOSR/RTB<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>875 N Randolph St Suite 3000<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Arlington, VA 22203<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(703)696-9586<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>