Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Program Monitoring System
Published Date: 1/30/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to keep collecting info on its Research Traineeship Program for another 3 years. This program helps STEM grad students get ready for cool, future jobs by tracking their progress. If you have thoughts, send them by March 31, 2026—your feedback could shape how this info is gathered without costing extra money or time.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Major annual reporting time burden
If you are an NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) award recipient, the reporting system creates an estimated burden of 82 hours per award. NSF estimates this applies to 120 awards for a total of 9,840 hours per year, and awardees must report data annually for the life of their award.
Funding may be adjusted from survey answers
NSF says that at the individual project level, funding can be adjusted based on some survey responses collected through the NRT monitoring system. This means your project’s funding may change because of the data you report.
Personal data used for research comparisons
The NRT monitoring system collects staff and participant-level data (from PIs and trainees) so NSF or third-party researchers can identify treatment and comparison groups for evaluations. You may have individual-level project data used in internal or third-party studies, and reporting is annual for the life of the award.
New awards will use the reporting system
NSF intends to publish a revised notice of funding opportunity in spring 2026 and says that new NRT awards issued from that competition, alongside existing awards, will use the NRT monitoring system. Prospective award applicants should expect the same annual reporting requirements if funded.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in