Veterans Research Supplement (VRS) Program
Veterans Research Supplement (VRS) Program supports veteran students and educators in mentored STEM research to build research skills and advance their transition to civilian careers and further education.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: Rolling (Supplemental funding requests)
Funding Amounts: Supplements to active NSF awards; graduate support initially 12 months, renewable for up to three years
Summary: Supports veterans’ participation in mentored STEM research through supplements to active NSF awards.
Key Information: Requests must supplement an eligible active NSF award; its PI or co-PI cannot be the veteran participant.
Description
The Veterans Research Supplement (VRS) Program supports alternate pathways into STEM research in academia and industry for veterans who are students or educators. Run by NSF’s BIO, CISE, EDU, ENG, GEO, MPS and SBE directorates and Office of Integrative Activities, it funds participation in basic or industrially relevant research aligned with an existing award. The program aims to develop veterans’ STEM talent and support their transition from active military service to civilian careers and further education.
High-quality mentoring is central to VRS. Investigators should develop participants’ research skills, introduce them to their discipline’s research culture, and connect the experience with their studies and career plans. Requests must define the research project, deliverables, timeline and anticipated benefits to veteran participants.
