2440301
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
NRT-IPP: Preparing future bioengineers for careers in biotechnology and biomanufacturing through hands-on training and industry partnerships.
This National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Institutional Partnership Pilot (NRT-IPP) award led by Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT) and Boston University (BU), will create a Master of Science (MS) degree program in bioengineering designed to meet demand for professionals in the biotechnology and biomanufacturing industries.
Bioengineering is a rapidly expanding field in Massachusetts, which serves as a national hub for the biotechnology industry.
This project addresses a shortage of bioengineers by providing students with industry-relevant skills, hands-on research opportunities, and career development experiences.
The program integrates coursework, immersive research, and paid industry internships, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to transition into STEM careers and contribute to the bioengineering sector.
Trainees will gain expertise in bioengineering product development, medical device design, biomanufacturing, and computational modeling, among other key areas.
The project anticipates training 100 students over five years, including 25 fully funded trainees.
This degree program at WIT will leverage BU’s expertise in bioengineering graduate education and workforce development, incorporating sustainable and effective training practices from its NRT program in neurophotonics.
The project combines educational practices with industry engagement to ensure students acquire needed skills and competencies.
The program’s curriculum includes courses tailored to industry needs, professional development workshops, and technical training in cutting-edge tools.
By partnering with biotechnology companies, WIT students will gain paid work experience in real-world settings through a structured cooperative program.
Additionally, trainees will conduct interdisciplinary research in areas such as medical imaging, biosensing, tissue engineering, and digital therapeutics.
This research-driven approach, coupled with industry mentorship, will bridge the gap between academia and the workforce, fostering innovation and technological advancements.
The project will provide a replicable model for STEM graduate education.
The anticipated outcomes include a highly trained workforce and broad societal benefits from biomedical technology developments that address pressing challenges.
The NRT Institutional Partnership Pilot (NRT-IPP) is a collaborative effort between the directorates for STEM Education (EDU) and Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) to support research and education projects with high industry relevance in emerging fields.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are planned for this award.
This National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Institutional Partnership Pilot (NRT-IPP) award led by Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT) and Boston University (BU), will create a Master of Science (MS) degree program in bioengineering designed to meet demand for professionals in the biotechnology and biomanufacturing industries.
Bioengineering is a rapidly expanding field in Massachusetts, which serves as a national hub for the biotechnology industry.
This project addresses a shortage of bioengineers by providing students with industry-relevant skills, hands-on research opportunities, and career development experiences.
The program integrates coursework, immersive research, and paid industry internships, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to transition into STEM careers and contribute to the bioengineering sector.
Trainees will gain expertise in bioengineering product development, medical device design, biomanufacturing, and computational modeling, among other key areas.
The project anticipates training 100 students over five years, including 25 fully funded trainees.
This degree program at WIT will leverage BU’s expertise in bioengineering graduate education and workforce development, incorporating sustainable and effective training practices from its NRT program in neurophotonics.
The project combines educational practices with industry engagement to ensure students acquire needed skills and competencies.
The program’s curriculum includes courses tailored to industry needs, professional development workshops, and technical training in cutting-edge tools.
By partnering with biotechnology companies, WIT students will gain paid work experience in real-world settings through a structured cooperative program.
Additionally, trainees will conduct interdisciplinary research in areas such as medical imaging, biosensing, tissue engineering, and digital therapeutics.
This research-driven approach, coupled with industry mentorship, will bridge the gap between academia and the workforce, fostering innovation and technological advancements.
The project will provide a replicable model for STEM graduate education.
The anticipated outcomes include a highly trained workforce and broad societal benefits from biomedical technology developments that address pressing challenges.
The NRT Institutional Partnership Pilot (NRT-IPP) is a collaborative effort between the directorates for STEM Education (EDU) and Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) to support research and education projects with high industry relevance in emerging fields.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are planned for this award.
Funding Goals
THE GOAL OF THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, "NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION RESEARCH TRAINEESHIP INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIP PILOT (NRT-IPP) PROGRAM", IS IDENTIFIED IN THE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NSF.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/PUB_SUMM.JSP?ODS_KEY=NSF24566
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Boston,
Massachusetts
02115-5901
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 171% from $1,661,379 to $4,494,712.
Wentworth Institute Of Technology was awarded
Bioengineering Master's Program: Training Future Biotech Professionals
Project Grant 2440301
worth $4,494,712
from the Division of Graduate Education in September 2025 with work to be completed primarily in Boston Massachusetts United States.
The grant
has a duration of 5 years and
was awarded through assistance program 47.076 Education and Human Resources.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Institutional Partnership Pilot (NRT-IPP) Program.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 8/21/25
Period of Performance
9/1/25
Start Date
8/31/30
End Date
Funding Split
$4.5M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$4.5M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to 2440301
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2440301
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Private Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
491101 DIVISION OF GRADUATE EDUCATION
Funding Office
491101 DIVISION OF GRADUATE EDUCATION
Awardee UEI
NDWSAHDCNFJ8
Awardee CAGE
0NPC7
Performance District
MA-07
Senators
Edward Markey
Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren
Modified: 8/21/25