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Frequently Asked Questions
IGERT? What the heck is IGERT?
It stands for Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship, and is a program developed by the National Science Foundation to improve the graduate experience. IGERT provides interdisciplinary graduate training for students who wish to pursue careers in the sciences, mathematics, engineering or technology (interdisciplinary being the key word here). Approximately 20 new IGERT programs are funded each year, and there are now over 100 IGERT programs at universities across the United States. Each program is unique in its curricular and research focus. Students interested in pursuing PhDs in the sciences, mathematics, engineering or technology can select and apply to IGERT programs that suit their interests. Students accepted into an IGERT program then begin a rigorous course of interdisciplinary study (that's the integrative graduate education and research part) and get $30,000 a year plus tuition and fees (that's the traineeship part).
What are the deep goals and ideals of the NSF IGERT program?
The National Science Foundation Introduction to the IGERT Program says:
"The IGERT program has been developed to meet the challenges of educating U.S. Ph.D. scientists, engineers, and educators with the interdisciplinary backgrounds, deep knowledge in chosen disciplines, and technical, professional, and personal skills to become in their own careers the leaders and creative agents for change. The program is intended to catalyze a cultural change in graduate education, for students, faculty, and institutions, by establishing innovative new models for graduate education and training in a fertile environment for collaborative research that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. It is also intended to facilitate greater diversity in student participation and preparation, and to contribute to the development of a diverse, globally-engaged science and engineering workforce."
See the NSF IGERT Homepage
Why interdisciplinary?
"In the last 10 years, there has been a growing realization that the really big problems in science are not going to be solved within one discipline. The big complex problems, like those affecting the environment or advances in information technology, will require expertise from many areas."
--Jim Teeri, Director, IGERT National Recruitment Program.
What's special about an IGERT education? Why would I want to be an IGERT student?
IGERT programs focus on problem-centered training, delimited not by the boundaries of an academic discipline, but by the demands of solving a problem. IGERT programs combine interdisciplinary science with practical experience, giving their students deep knowledge in their disciplines as well as a combination of technical, professional and personal skills that enables them to be leaders and creative agents for change in their fields. Other benefits include:
What are the employment and career opportunities after IGERT?
A major objective of NSF's IGERT program is to train students in areas where industry, government and academic institutions are experiencing a shortfall. IGERT graduates may work in industries ranging from pharmaceutics to petrochemicals, government laboratories devoted to health, commerce or energy, small teaching colleges and major research universities. An important benefit of the IGERT programs is that most students have opportunities to sample these locations during their training. This makes it easier to decide which career environment is right for you.
How long does it take?
Usually four to five years, but this depends on the program you select and on you!
What can I study in an IGERT program? What kinds of research and curricular things do IGERTs do?
There are over 100 IGERT programs across the United States, and all of them are unique. To take a look at just a few of the interesting things that IGERT students are doing here. Or, browse through all of the IGERT programs.
Who are the IGERT students?
To meet just a few IGERT students and see what they're doing, click here.
Who are the IGERT faculty?
To meet just a few of the faculty teaching in IGERT programs, click here.
Who are some IGERT partners?
DSM-Copolymer (Geleen, The Netherlands and Baton Rouge)
Dupont (Wilmington, Delaware)
Dow (Plaquemine, Louisiana and Freeport, Texas)
Exxon (Baton Rouge)
USDA Labs (New Orleans)
Max-Planck Institute (Mainz, Germany)
Middle East Technical University (Ankara, Turkey)
Union Carbide (South Charleston, West Virginia)
What kind of student should apply to an IGERT program?
Someone who:
How do I get started?
I really don't know much about how I should go about applying to grad school, or even what to expect in grad school. No one in my family knows either, and my advisor is on leave this year. Can you help? First, each IGERT program has a program contact person who is willing to help. Just call, or email, and ask your questions. The IGERT National Recruitment Program and our website (this website!) are also a valuable resource. Our Resources for Students Page contains links to other resources that specifically address this question.
How do I apply to be an IGERT Trainee, and what is the deadline?
Each IGERT has a formal application process. Start by finding an IGERT program that matches your area of interest. Study the web pages of the various IGERT programs for descriptions of their programs, for contact information on the participating faculty, and, importantly, for specific application procedures, deadlines and requirements. Once you find a program you are interested in, follow the application instructions for the program you select. If you have questions specifically regarding their program application process and requirements, contact them, inform them of your interest in applying, and go on from there. Browse IGERT programs. If you have questions regarding the IGERT program in general, or have trouble contacting the program you're interested in, feel free to contact us, the IGERT National Recruitment Program, for help!
What are the requirements to be accepted into an IGERT program?
It depends on the IGERT program! Start by finding an IGERT program that matches your area of interest. Study the web pages of the various IGERT programs for descriptions of their programs, for contact information on the participating faculty, and, importantly, for specific application procedures, deadlines and requirements. Once you find a program you are interested in, contact them, inform them of your interest in applying, and go on from there. Browse IGERT programs.
Can I apply if I am not a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident?
Sorry, but no. Please apply instead to a traditional graduate educational program by contacting the department most closely allied to your research interests. If you are accepted to a department affiliated with an IGERT program, however, you may experience many "spillover" benefits from the IGERT project.
How does the program fit in with home departments and their requirements?
This varies from program to program. When you find an IGERT program you are interested in, please refer this question to them.
Is IGERT just for Ph.D. students?
Not necessarily. Many IGERTs support masters students and undergrads also. To enhance collaboration, elements of some IGERT programs are open to a wider audience, most notably, IGERT Associates. When you find an IGERT program you are interested in, please refer this question to them.
I only want a master's degree. Is that possible?
Some IGERTs support masters students. Most provide support primarily at the doctorate level. When you find an IGERT program you are interested in, please refer this question to them.
I am currently an IGERT student, and I have questions about my funding. Who should I talk to?
You should talk to your IGERT Program Director or faculty advisor.
You say the stipend is $30,000, but my IGERT is telling me differently. What's going on?
The stipend per 12 month period is $30,000. Some IGERTs provide support for different periods of time, in which case the stipend may be pro-rated.
- IGERT? What the heck is IGERT?
- What are the deep goals and ideals of the NSF IGERT program?
- Why interdisciplinary?
- What's special about an IGERT education? Why would I want to be an IGERT student?
- What are the employment and career opportunities after IGERT?
- How long does it take?
- What can I study in an IGERT program? What kinds of research and curricular things do IGERTs do?
- Who are the IGERT students?
- Who are the IGERT faculty?
- Who are some IGERT partners?
- What kind of student should apply to an IGERT program?
- How do I get started?
- How do I apply to be an IGERT Trainee, and what is the deadline?
- What are the requirements to be accepted into an IGERT program?
- Can I apply if I am not a U.S. Citizen or Naturalized Resident?
- How does the program fit in with the home department and its requirements?
- Is IGERT just for Ph.D. students?
- I only want a master's degree. Is that possible?
- I am currently an IGERT student, and I have questions about my funding. Who should I talk to?
- You say the stipend is $30,000, but my IGERT is telling me differently. What's going on?
IGERT? What the heck is IGERT?
It stands for Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship, and is a program developed by the National Science Foundation to improve the graduate experience. IGERT provides interdisciplinary graduate training for students who wish to pursue careers in the sciences, mathematics, engineering or technology (interdisciplinary being the key word here). Approximately 20 new IGERT programs are funded each year, and there are now over 100 IGERT programs at universities across the United States. Each program is unique in its curricular and research focus. Students interested in pursuing PhDs in the sciences, mathematics, engineering or technology can select and apply to IGERT programs that suit their interests. Students accepted into an IGERT program then begin a rigorous course of interdisciplinary study (that's the integrative graduate education and research part) and get $30,000 a year plus tuition and fees (that's the traineeship part).
What are the deep goals and ideals of the NSF IGERT program?
The National Science Foundation Introduction to the IGERT Program says:
"The IGERT program has been developed to meet the challenges of educating U.S. Ph.D. scientists, engineers, and educators with the interdisciplinary backgrounds, deep knowledge in chosen disciplines, and technical, professional, and personal skills to become in their own careers the leaders and creative agents for change. The program is intended to catalyze a cultural change in graduate education, for students, faculty, and institutions, by establishing innovative new models for graduate education and training in a fertile environment for collaborative research that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. It is also intended to facilitate greater diversity in student participation and preparation, and to contribute to the development of a diverse, globally-engaged science and engineering workforce."
See the NSF IGERT Homepage
Why interdisciplinary?
"In the last 10 years, there has been a growing realization that the really big problems in science are not going to be solved within one discipline. The big complex problems, like those affecting the environment or advances in information technology, will require expertise from many areas."
--Jim Teeri, Director, IGERT National Recruitment Program.
The issues that surround most 'real life' problems and their
complex solutions are multifaceted and complex. For example, policy
decisions must be informed by science; social values and economics affect
whether or not a solution is desirable or feasible. IGERT programs seek
to train researchers who will recognize cross-disciplinary issues and
communicate with professionals from other disciplines to find creative
interdisciplinary solutions for these problems.
What's special about an IGERT education? Why would I want to be an IGERT student?
IGERT programs focus on problem-centered training, delimited not by the boundaries of an academic discipline, but by the demands of solving a problem. IGERT programs combine interdisciplinary science with practical experience, giving their students deep knowledge in their disciplines as well as a combination of technical, professional and personal skills that enables them to be leaders and creative agents for change in their fields. Other benefits include:
- A sizeable stipend ($30,000 per year).
- Support for tuition and fees.
- Funds for research equipment and supplies.
- Research assistanceship and teaching assistanceship opportunities.
- Opportunities for international experience.
- Internships in industry and government.
- Work with similar-minded graduate students from different disciplines on similar research topics.
- Great post-IGERT career and employment options.
What are the employment and career opportunities after IGERT?
A major objective of NSF's IGERT program is to train students in areas where industry, government and academic institutions are experiencing a shortfall. IGERT graduates may work in industries ranging from pharmaceutics to petrochemicals, government laboratories devoted to health, commerce or energy, small teaching colleges and major research universities. An important benefit of the IGERT programs is that most students have opportunities to sample these locations during their training. This makes it easier to decide which career environment is right for you.
How long does it take?
Usually four to five years, but this depends on the program you select and on you!
What can I study in an IGERT program? What kinds of research and curricular things do IGERTs do?
There are over 100 IGERT programs across the United States, and all of them are unique. To take a look at just a few of the interesting things that IGERT students are doing here. Or, browse through all of the IGERT programs.
Who are the IGERT students?
To meet just a few IGERT students and see what they're doing, click here.
Who are the IGERT faculty?
To meet just a few of the faculty teaching in IGERT programs, click here.
Who are some IGERT partners?
DSM-Copolymer (Geleen, The Netherlands and Baton Rouge)
Dupont (Wilmington, Delaware)
Dow (Plaquemine, Louisiana and Freeport, Texas)
Exxon (Baton Rouge)
USDA Labs (New Orleans)
Max-Planck Institute (Mainz, Germany)
Middle East Technical University (Ankara, Turkey)
Union Carbide (South Charleston, West Virginia)
What kind of student should apply to an IGERT program?
Someone who:
- Wants to be a scientist for the future-- more flexible, more collaborative, more adept at linking issues in the life, earth, and social sciences, and more able to solve the global issues that face us today.
- Has demonstrated strong interest and motivation in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
- Has completed a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline.
- Is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
How do I get started?
I really don't know much about how I should go about applying to grad school, or even what to expect in grad school. No one in my family knows either, and my advisor is on leave this year. Can you help? First, each IGERT program has a program contact person who is willing to help. Just call, or email, and ask your questions. The IGERT National Recruitment Program and our website (this website!) are also a valuable resource. Our Resources for Students Page contains links to other resources that specifically address this question.
How do I apply to be an IGERT Trainee, and what is the deadline?
Each IGERT has a formal application process. Start by finding an IGERT program that matches your area of interest. Study the web pages of the various IGERT programs for descriptions of their programs, for contact information on the participating faculty, and, importantly, for specific application procedures, deadlines and requirements. Once you find a program you are interested in, follow the application instructions for the program you select. If you have questions specifically regarding their program application process and requirements, contact them, inform them of your interest in applying, and go on from there. Browse IGERT programs. If you have questions regarding the IGERT program in general, or have trouble contacting the program you're interested in, feel free to contact us, the IGERT National Recruitment Program, for help!
What are the requirements to be accepted into an IGERT program?
It depends on the IGERT program! Start by finding an IGERT program that matches your area of interest. Study the web pages of the various IGERT programs for descriptions of their programs, for contact information on the participating faculty, and, importantly, for specific application procedures, deadlines and requirements. Once you find a program you are interested in, contact them, inform them of your interest in applying, and go on from there. Browse IGERT programs.
Can I apply if I am not a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident?
Sorry, but no. Please apply instead to a traditional graduate educational program by contacting the department most closely allied to your research interests. If you are accepted to a department affiliated with an IGERT program, however, you may experience many "spillover" benefits from the IGERT project.
How does the program fit in with home departments and their requirements?
This varies from program to program. When you find an IGERT program you are interested in, please refer this question to them.
Is IGERT just for Ph.D. students?
Not necessarily. Many IGERTs support masters students and undergrads also. To enhance collaboration, elements of some IGERT programs are open to a wider audience, most notably, IGERT Associates. When you find an IGERT program you are interested in, please refer this question to them.
I only want a master's degree. Is that possible?
Some IGERTs support masters students. Most provide support primarily at the doctorate level. When you find an IGERT program you are interested in, please refer this question to them.
I am currently an IGERT student, and I have questions about my funding. Who should I talk to?
You should talk to your IGERT Program Director or faculty advisor.
You say the stipend is $30,000, but my IGERT is telling me differently. What's going on?
The stipend per 12 month period is $30,000. Some IGERTs provide support for different periods of time, in which case the stipend may be pro-rated.
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