FASEB Supports Renewal of NSF ETAP Program

By: Nabila Riaz
Thursday, June 12, 2025
On May 30, FASEB submitted comments supporting the proposed renewal of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Education and Training Application Pilot (ETAP). ETAP is a customizable, centralized application system designed to help students and educators find and apply to NSF-funded education and training opportunities.

In its comments, FASEB commended NSF’s efforts to expand awareness of ETAP and reduce the administrative burden on both Principal Investigators (PIs) and applicants. Echoing prior comments on updates to the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG), FASEB emphasized the importance of ETAP as a tool to strengthen NSF’s capacity to track its education and workforce development initiatives and to support future impact evaluations both of which are vital for continued growth and retention of individuals pursuing STEM careers. FASEB also encouraged NSF to adopt additional outreach strategies to raise awareness of ETAP among research institutions and scientific societies.

In addition, FASEB expressed concerns about the longer-term impact of recent administrative changes at NSF on the future of the STEM workforce. Specifically, the abrupt termination of approximately 1,400 grants, many of which supported efforts to broaden participation in STEM, along with the elimination of program divisions and staff focused on training and career development, poses a serious threat to the nation's scientific workforce and its global leadership in research, innovation, and economic competitiveness.