Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: October 28, 2025 (Fourth Monday in October, biennial)
Funding Amounts: Up to $150,000 per year for up to 5 years; typical total project $450,000 (3 years); approx. 20–25 awards; $12M total program funding.
Summary: Supports U.S. undergraduate and/or graduate student cohorts to participate in high-quality, mentored international research experiences in NSF-funded science and engineering fields.
Key Information: Proposals must be submitted by U.S. institutions/organizations; foreign collaborators cannot serve as PI/Co-PI/Senior Personnel.
Description
The International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) program provides funding to U.S.-based institutions and organizations to support cohorts of undergraduate and/or graduate students in conducting research and professional development activities at international sites. The program aims to foster a globally engaged, diverse STEM workforce by enabling students to participate in collaborative research projects abroad, mentored by international researchers. Projects must be organized around a coherent intellectual theme and should align with NSF-supported disciplines. Activities may include virtual, hybrid, or in-person experiences, and innovative approaches to international collaboration are encouraged.
Due Dates
- Next full proposal deadline: October 28, 2025 (Fourth Monday in October, every other year thereafter)
- Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. local time of the submitting organization.
Funding Amount
- Award size: Up to $150,000 per year
- Duration: Up to 5 years (typical project is 3 years)
- Total program funding: Approximately $12,000,000
- Expected number of awards: 20–25
- Stipends: Student participants must receive $600–$700 per week during the research experience.
- PI salary: Up to one month per project year (shared among co-PIs if applicable).
- No cost-sharing required.
Eligibility
- Eligible applicants:
- U.S. institutions of higher education (two- and four-year, including community colleges) accredited in the U.S.
- U.S.-based non-profit, non-academic organizations (e.g., museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies) directly associated with educational or research activities.
- PI/Co-PI/Senior Personnel: Must be from U.S.-based organizations. Foreign collaborators cannot serve as PI, Co-PI, or Senior Personnel.
- Subawards: Not allowed to foreign institutions or international branch campuses of U.S. institutions.
- Student participants: Must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents.
- Limit: An individual may serve as PI or co-PI on only one proposal per competition. No limit on proposals per organization.
Application Process
- Proposals must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov.
- No letters of intent or preliminary proposals required.
- Follow the current NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and the specific IRES solicitation instructions.
- Required proposal elements include:
- Project summary and description with an overarching research theme
- Recruitment and selection plan for student participants (with a focus on broadening participation in STEM)
- Mentoring and professional development plan
- Details on collaboration with international partners (must be listed as “non-NSF funded collaborators”)
- Letters of collaboration from foreign mentors
- Student preparation and logistical arrangements
- Evaluation, dissemination, and reporting plans
- Proposals must comply with NSF’s policies on safe and inclusive working environments.
Additional Information
- Projects should involve cohorts of at least five students per year and durations abroad of at least four weeks (exceptions must be justified).
- K-12 STEM teachers may participate via coordination with the NSF Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program.
- IRES funds may not be used to support foreign students/mentors or to pay tuition for graduate students.
- Proposals are encouraged to include virtual or hybrid elements to enhance collaboration and resilience.
External Links
Contact Information
| Name/Office | Email/Phone | Purpose |
|---|
| IRES Program Directors (Kuyuk, Koizumi, Kukla) | ires@nsf.gov | Program inquiries |
| NSF Grants.gov Support | grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov | Electronic application support |
| NSF Help Desk | 1-800-381-1532 | Technical support for Research.gov |
| Research.gov Help Desk | rgov@nsf.gov | Research.gov technical support |
| Grants.gov Contact Center | 1-800-518-4726, support@grants.gov | Grants.gov technical support |