NSF and selected foreign counterpart science and technology agencies sponsor international research institutes for U.S. graduate students in seven East Asia and Pacific locations at times set by the counterpart agencies between June and August each year. The Summer Institutes (EAPSI) operate similarly and the research visits to a particular location take place at the same time. Although applicants apply individually to participate in a Summer Institute, awardees become part of the cohort for each location. Applicants must propose a location, host scientist, and research project that is appropriate for the host site and duration of the international visit.
An EAPSI award provides U.S. graduate students in science, engineering, and education: 1) first-hand research experiences in Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, or Taiwan; 2) an introduction to the science, science policy, and scientific infrastructure of the respective location; and 3) an orientation to the society, culture, and language. It is expected that EAPSI awards will help students initiate professional relationships to enable future collaboration with foreign counterparts.
The NSF award includes participation in the Pre-Departure Orientation, summer stipend of $5,000, and roundtrip airplane ticket to the host location. EAPSI partner agencies pay in-country living expenses during the Summer Institutes.
Full Proposal Deadline: Thursday, November 10, 2016
Cognizant Program Officer(s):
Please note that the following information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of contact.
- Anne Emig, program officer, telephone: 703.292.7241, email: eapsi@nsf.gov
- Elena Hillenburg, program specialist, telephone: 703.292.2993, email: eapsi@nsf.gov
Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (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 — Education and Human Resources
- 47.079 — Office of International Science and Engineering
- 47.083 — Office of Integrative Activities (OIA)
Who May Serve as PI:
Individual graduate students, not through the institutions at which they are enrolled. This requires that, during the application process, each student registers as an institution and serves as his or her own Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR). Similarly, awards are made to the individuals.
As of the deadline date for the application, applicants must
- be U.S. citizens or permanent residents;
- be enrolled in a research-oriented Master’s or Ph.D. degree program, and, if enrolled in a joint Bachelor/Master’s program, have graduated from the undergraduate degree portion of the program;
- be enrolled at a U.S. institution located in the United States; and
- propose a research project in a field of science, engineering, or science education supported by the National Science Foundation.
Applications submitted by persons who do not meet all of the above criteria will not be entered into the competition and will be returned without review.
Applicants are encouraged to consult with and have the support of their academic advisors prior to applying.
Previous EAPSI awardees may apply, but only to a different host location from their previous award. Priority will be given to new applicants to the program.
If the student is enrolled at the time of application (i.e., in November) and subsequently graduates before the EAPSI Program starts (i.e., before June of the following year), he or she is still eligible to apply and receive the award.