Trainee Curriculum & Experience

Each year, 3 or 4 exceptional U.S. Ph.D. students will be selected for full NRT support, which includes:

• One or two years of stipend and tuition
• Travel funding for a national scientific conference
• Full participation in all NRT-Q-STAR research and training components
• Continued financial support from federal agencies (e.g., DOE, NSF, NASA, NIH, DOD), FIU University Graduate School (UGS) fellowship, their advisor or department after NRT funding concludes.

Trainee Timeline

The trainee curriculum spans two years. Your first year will focus on building the foundation for a successful career in quantum science and immerse you in the world of high-end research. The second year builds upon that foundation, preparing you to become a leader in the workforce of the future.

• Year 1 – Foundation & Immersion

  Fall Semester

  • Program Orientation
  • Enrollment in Core QISE (Quantum Information Science and Engineering) Course
  • Assignment to Faculty Research Group 
  • Initial Mentor Meetings
  • Individual Development Plan (IDP)
  • Begin Team-Based Research Projects
  • Professional Development Seminars (Science Communication & Research Ethics)
  • Laboratory and Safety Trainings

  Spring Semester

  • Continuation of Core QISE Course
  • Enrollment in Advanced Topics Course or Executives in Quantum Materials
    and Engineering
  • Mid-Year Progress Evaluation
  • Participation in STEM Outreach Activities
  • Attend or Present at a Local/Regional Conference
  • NSF Evaluation Annual Reporting in NRT Portal

  Summer Semester

  • Apply for External Fellowships
  • Participation in QISE Workshop
  • Continuation of Research
  • Regular Mentor Check-ins
  • Optional Manuscript Draft or Poster Submission
• Year 2 – Research & Leadership

  Fall Semester

  • Advanced Research Activities
  • Enrollment in Elective Coursework or Seminar Series
  • Proposal Writing Workshop
  • Submit External Fellowships such as NSF GRFP (if Eligible)
  • Optional Travel to National QISE Conference
  • Peer Mentoring for Year 1 Cohort
  • Mid-Year Research Review
  • Leadership and Team-Building Seminar
  • Update Individual Development Plan (IDP)
  • Participate Professional Development Seminars (Science Communication & Research Ethics)

  Spring Semester

  • Completion of Major Research Milestones
  • Draft or Submit Journal Paper
  • Final Presentation at Q-STAR Symposium
  • Career Development and Job Placement Support
  • Alumni and Industry Networking Event
  • Graduation (if Applicable) or Transition to Dissertation Phase of Ph.D.

  Summer Semester

  • Continued Research or Thesis Completion (MS track)
  • Apply for Internship with Academic, National Laboratory
  • Optional Second Internship or Research Dissemination
  • Final Report Submission and Exit Interview