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NSF pilots 4-year PhDs with industry research placements

nsf.gov

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Re: NSF pilots 4-year PhDs with industry research placements

#4
Very perplexing.

There’s already a 3-4 year advanced degree in the United States with an optional thesis component that companies in relevant industries can intervene in and direct if they so desire.

So why are they calling it a doctorate? I don’t see the point. It’s not like the NSF under this administration is particularly fond of STEM doctorates.

I’m open to any theories about what the real point of this is.

Re: NSF pilots 4-year PhDs with industry research placements

#5
If you want to skip the fluff, the actual funded program abstract here:

https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2624416

Appropriately enough for a pilot, there's a structured usual cohort-mentoring and outcomes evaluation component.

(NSF brings 3 years of $$$, but as it is, it doesn't seem like attempt to nudge people screwed over by GRFP restrictions towards industry.)

Re: NSF pilots 4-year PhDs with industry research placements

#6

Very perplexing. There’s already a 3-4 year advanced degree in the United States with an optional thesis component that companies in relevant industries can intervene in and direct if they so desire. So why are they calling it a doctorate? I don’t see the point. It’s not like the NSF under this administration is particularly fond of STEM doctorates. I’m open to any theories about what the real point of this is.

Funneling money from the government to private research that doesn't have to be disclosed, as the public funding won't be for research, but for student placement.

Re: NSF pilots 4-year PhDs with industry research placements

#7

Very perplexing. There’s already a 3-4 year advanced degree in the United States with an optional thesis component that companies in relevant industries can intervene in and direct if they so desire. So why are they calling it a doctorate? I don’t see the point. It’s not like the NSF under this administration is particularly fond of STEM doctorates. I’m open to any theories about what the real point of this is.

> There’s already a 3-4 year advanced degree in the United States with an optional thesis component...

There isn't.

And if you are trying to snarkily describe an MS, then most MS programs are too short.

> So why are they calling it a doctorate? I don’t see the point. It’s not like the NSF under this administration is particularly fond of STEM doctorates.

The I-PhD is basically a formalization of industry-sponsored PhDs based on the program site [0]

[0] - https://uidp.org/i-phd-scholars/

Re: NSF pilots 4-year PhDs with industry research placements

#8

Very perplexing. There’s already a 3-4 year advanced degree in the United States with an optional thesis component that companies in relevant industries can intervene in and direct if they so desire. So why are they calling it a doctorate? I don’t see the point. It’s not like the NSF under this administration is particularly fond of STEM doctorates. I’m open to any theories about what the real point of this is.

> There’s already a 3-4 year advanced degree in the United States with an optional thesis component... There isn't. And if you are trying to snarkily describe an MS, then most MS programs are too short. > So why are they calling it a doctorate? I don’t see the point. It’s not like the NSF under this administration is particularly fond of STEM doctorates. The I-PhD is basically a formalization of industry-sponsored Ph…

> There isn't.

My coworkers holding such degrees would beg to differ.

> And if you are trying to snarkily describe an MS, then most MS programs are too short.

It wasn’t snarky, it was a listing of common points between the two. I don’t see what distinguishes this from a MS.

A year still isn’t enough time to write a doctoral-level thesis, so if the I-PhD is supposed to represent a “longer MS” then it’s still insufficient.

Re: NSF pilots 4-year PhDs with industry research placements

#9
post #5

If you want to skip the fluff, the actual funded program abstract here: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2624416 Appropriately enough for a pilot, there's a structured usual cohort-mentoring and outcomes evaluation component. (NSF brings 3 years of $$$, but as it is, it doesn't seem like attempt to nudge people screwed over by GRFP restrictions towards industry.)

I'd recommend the I-PhD's page instead of the NSF grant as it goes deeper into the partners as well as the program.

https://uidp.org/i-phd-scholars/

Re: NSF pilots 4-year PhDs with industry research placements

#10
post #6

Very perplexing. There’s already a 3-4 year advanced degree in the United States with an optional thesis component that companies in relevant industries can intervene in and direct if they so desire. So why are they calling it a doctorate? I don’t see the point. It’s not like the NSF under this administration is particularly fond of STEM doctorates. I’m open to any theories about what the real point of this is.

Funneling money from the government to private research that doesn't have to be disclosed, as the public funding won't be for research, but for student placement.

Ah. That makes more sense, thanks.
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