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, tuition, and health benefits
• 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

  • Orientation
  • Core QISE Course
  • Assignment to Faculty Research Group
  • First mentor meetings
  • Begin team-based research projects
  • Professional development seminars in science communication and ethics
  • Lab & Safety Trainings

  Spring Semester

  • Continuation of Core QISE Course
  • Advanced topics course or executives in quantum materials / and engineering
  • Internship placement planning
  • Mid-year progress evaluation
  • STEM outreach activities
  • Attend or present at a local or regional conference
  • NSF annual reporting

  Summer Semester

  • Internship
  • OISE workshop or short course
  • Continue research
  • Mentor check-ins
  • Optional manuscript draft or poster submission
• Year 2 – Research & Leadership

  Fall Semester

  • Advanced research activities
  • Elective coursework or seminar series
  • Proposal writing workshop
  • Submit NSF GRFP
  • Optional travel to major national QISE conference
  • Peer mentoring of year 1 cohort
  • Mid-year research review
  • Leadership/team-building seminar

  Spring Semester

  • Completion of research milestones
  • Draft these or journal paper submission
  • 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
  • Optional section internship or research dissemination
  • Final report and exit interview