National Science Foundation Expands Mentoring Requirements to Bolster STEM Pipeline

Under a newly adopted policy, the independent federal agency now requires mentoring plans for all graduate students involved in NSF-funded research projects.

The National Science Foundation (NSF), which is the third-largest federal research funding stream for universities, is now requiring all grant applicants to submit a mentoring plan for graduate students.

The expanded mentoring requirement went into effect late last month. It’s part of the federal government’s wider push to increase support for scientific research and maintain the United States’ competitive edge as a global leader in technological innovation, as outlined in the landmark CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.

The relationship a graduate student forms with their mentor can make or break their success in the field.

“We know that mentorship is the single-most important factor that predicts whether students will be able to successfully complete their degree,” said Suzanne Ortega, president of the Council of Graduate Schools. “It’s not just being someone’s best friend. It’s being clear about expectations.”