2440647
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
NRT-IPP: Smart construction, infrastructure, and buildings through education, research, and cutting-edge technology.
The construction industry is poised for a major digital transformation with technological innovations that are set to improve the safety, productivity, and sustainability of the field.
To leverage these advanced technologies to their full potential, there is an urgent need for skilled professionals who understand both construction and digital technology.
This National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) award to San Diego State University (SDSU) in collaboration with the University of Virginia (UVA) will develop a comprehensive graduate program in smart construction technologies.
The project anticipates training of one hundred and thirty-five (135) MS students, including thirty-one (31) funded trainees, from fields such as civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science.
By bridging the gap between traditional construction practices and emerging digital innovations, the program will help create safer worksites, better-performing buildings, and more sustainable infrastructure while opening construction careers to more groups of professionals.
The SCIBER-CT (pronounced "cyber city") NRT program will integrate three technological focus areas within modern construction practices: artificial intelligence and machine learning, robotics and automation, and advanced communications and immersive technologies.
The educational framework includes an 18-unit certificate program featuring specialized coursework, research components, and internships, with plans to develop a full master’s degree following a feasibility study.
Students will participate in professional development modules covering essential skills like communication, team science, and ethics.
Experiential learning through industry internships and hackathons will allow students to apply their technical knowledge to real-world construction challenges.
These elements are designed to cultivate T-shaped professionals who not only excel in their areas of specialization but are also skilled in cross-disciplinary collaboration.
The cross-institutional collaboration leverages SDSU expertise in advanced construction technology and UVA’s established experience with interdisciplinary graduate education in cyber-physical systems.
This partnership creates a model for expanding advanced graduate education opportunities while addressing critical workforce needs.
The promise of the SCIBER-CT program is to transform graduate training in construction by creating a scalable, industry-relevant educational ecosystem that advances both scientific knowledge and societal benefits.
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.
The construction industry is poised for a major digital transformation with technological innovations that are set to improve the safety, productivity, and sustainability of the field.
To leverage these advanced technologies to their full potential, there is an urgent need for skilled professionals who understand both construction and digital technology.
This National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) award to San Diego State University (SDSU) in collaboration with the University of Virginia (UVA) will develop a comprehensive graduate program in smart construction technologies.
The project anticipates training of one hundred and thirty-five (135) MS students, including thirty-one (31) funded trainees, from fields such as civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science.
By bridging the gap between traditional construction practices and emerging digital innovations, the program will help create safer worksites, better-performing buildings, and more sustainable infrastructure while opening construction careers to more groups of professionals.
The SCIBER-CT (pronounced "cyber city") NRT program will integrate three technological focus areas within modern construction practices: artificial intelligence and machine learning, robotics and automation, and advanced communications and immersive technologies.
The educational framework includes an 18-unit certificate program featuring specialized coursework, research components, and internships, with plans to develop a full master’s degree following a feasibility study.
Students will participate in professional development modules covering essential skills like communication, team science, and ethics.
Experiential learning through industry internships and hackathons will allow students to apply their technical knowledge to real-world construction challenges.
These elements are designed to cultivate T-shaped professionals who not only excel in their areas of specialization but are also skilled in cross-disciplinary collaboration.
The cross-institutional collaboration leverages SDSU expertise in advanced construction technology and UVA’s established experience with interdisciplinary graduate education in cyber-physical systems.
This partnership creates a model for expanding advanced graduate education opportunities while addressing critical workforce needs.
The promise of the SCIBER-CT program is to transform graduate training in construction by creating a scalable, industry-relevant educational ecosystem that advances both scientific knowledge and societal benefits.
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 Agency
Funding Agency
Place of Performance
San Diego,
California
92182-1324
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 59% from $2,833,333 to $4,500,000.
San Diego State University Foundation was awarded
NRT-IPP: Smart Construction Training Program
Project Grant 2440647
worth $4,500,000
from National Science Foundation in September 2025 with work to be completed primarily in San Diego California United States.
The grant
has a duration of 5 years and
was awarded through assistance program 47.084 NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships.
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 2440647
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2440647
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Public/State Controlled Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
491101 DIVISION OF GRADUATE EDUCATION
Funding Office
491502 INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY ECOSYSTEMS
Awardee UEI
H59JKGFZKHL7
Awardee CAGE
04DC2
Performance District
CA-51
Senators
Dianne Feinstein
Alejandro Padilla
Alejandro Padilla
Modified: 8/21/25