Retrospective Survey of Participants in the National Science Foundation (NSF) International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) Program

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR
STUDENTS (IRES) EVALUATION

2019
SURVEY OF FORMER PARTICIPANTS
Notice
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, an information
collection unless it displays a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The
OMB control number for this collection is XXXX-XXXX and expires on mm/dd/yy. Public reporting
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average [XX] minutes to complete the survey,
including the time for reviewing instructions. Send comments regarding the burden estimate and any
other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:
Suzanne Plimpton
Reports Clearance Officer
Division of Administrative Services
National Science Foundation
Alexandria, VA 22314
[email protected] │ (703) 292-7556

CONTINUE 

3 

These questions aim to confirm your eligibility for this survey and rely on 
information Dr.  at  provided to the 
National Science Foundation (NSF).  
S1.

Is your name ?
 Yes, this is my name.
 No, my name has changed or is misspelled or incomplete.
My full name (including middle name or initial) is:
 No, I’m not the person named above.

Text box, xx 

Source: Adapted from PIRE Grad Survey A1a
S2.

Do you recall participating in an international research experience as part of the National Science
Foundation International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) program?
 Yes

 No
 I am not sure

S3.

Do you recall participating in an international research experience with or organized by Dr. at ?
 Yes

 No
 I am not sure

S4.

Did you conduct research in another country while you were an undergraduate or graduate student?
 Yes
 No

S5.a.

In which country was the research conducted?
Drop down menu with about 20 known countries of participation in this cohort plus Other 

Please specify the country: Text box, xx 
S5.b.

Did you conduct the research abroad during [YEAR]?
 Yes
 No

S5.c.

In what year(s) did you conduct the research? Text box, xx 

At the time you conducted the international research were you:
Select all that apply

S5.c1.

 An undergraduate student
 A graduate student

4 

S5.c2.

Enrolled in [UNIVERSITY]
 Yes
 No

In what university or universities were you enrolled when you
Text box, xx 
conducted the international research?

[If screened out]  

Your answers indicate that you are not the intended person for this survey.  
Thank you for your time! 

[If screened in] 

Your answers indicate that you qualify for this survey! 

You may have had multiple international research experiences in your career. Please provide 
responses thinking of your FIRST international research experience as part of the IRES program.  
If you do not recall participating in IRES, please think of your FIRST international research 
experience.  
If you need to stop before you have finished, please click on the  Suspend  button at the 
bottom of each page to exit the survey. The data you provide prior to clicking  Suspend  will 
be securely stored and available when you return to complete the survey.  
For security purposes, you will be timed out if you are idle for longer than 30 minutes. 

Click here to continue 

5 

Please tell us about your experience participating in IRES 
1. How many times did you participate in IRES?

 Once
 Twice or more

 Don’t know

If you participated in the IRES program more than once,
please think about your first IRES experience when
answering the remainder of this survey.
If you do not recall participating in IRES, please think of
your first international experience in answering this and
all other questions.

2. Toward what degree were you working when you participated in the IRES international research
experience?
 No specific degree
 Associate’s degree (e.g., AA, AS)
 Bachelor’s degree (e.g., BS, BA, AB)
 Master’s degree (e.g., MS, MA, MBA)
 Doctorate (e.g., PhD, DSc, EdD)
 Other professional degree (e.g., JD, LLB, MD, DDS, DVM) – Specify type: Text box, xx 
 Other – Specify type: Text box, xx 
Source: Added one response option from Q7 (AA degree) into Q16 of NSCG 2015
3. a . What was your college/university class
standing when you participated in the IRES international research experience?
 Incoming freshman
 Freshman
 Sophomore
 Junior
 Senior
 4th year of a 5-year program
 Other, please explain: Text box, xx 
Source: REU Data System
3.b . In what year of graduate school did
you participate in the IRES international research experience?
 First year
 Second year
 Third or more years
 Other, please explain: Text box, xx 
4. What was the primary field of studies for this degree?
Select the field that is closest to your field of studies:  
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28

Agriculture Business and Production
Agricultural Sciences
Architecture/Environmental Design
Biological/Life Sciences
Business Management/Administrative Services
Communications
Computer and information sciences
Conservation and Renewable Natural Resources
Criminal Justice/Protective Services
Education
Engineering
Engineering-Related Technologies
Languages, Linguistics, Literature/Letters
Health and Related Sciences
Home Economics
Law/Prelaw/Legal Studies
Liberal Arts/General Studies
Library Science
Mathematics and Statistics
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
Philosophy, Religion, Theology
Physical Sciences
Psychology
Public Affairs
Social Work
Social Sciences and History
Visual and Performing Arts
Other Fields (Not Listed)

Source: Question wording from NSCG 2015 D17, response options from NSCG 2015 list pp. 20-21, instruction in
italics is new
5. Before traveling abroad for your research experience, what was your proficiency level in the primary
language spoken in your host country?
Please remember to provide responses thinking of your FIRST international research experience—as part of the IRES
program if you remember participating in IRES.
 No proficiency (may be able to make simple statements but with very limited overall
understanding of the language)
 Novice level (able to communicate short, simple messages on familiar topics)
 Intermediate level (able to have discussions on familiar topics)
 Advanced level (able to understand and participate in any conversations)
 Native or bilingual level (complete fluency)
Source: New
6. Which of the following did you do as part of your IRES international research experience?
Select all that apply
Developed the ideas, hypotheses, broad framework, or vision for the research project
Researched literature relevant to the project
Developed instrumentation, software, equipment, or data collection processes
Synthesized or fabricated materials
Prepared samples or specimens
Conducted fieldwork or field observations
Collected data from a lab or office or carried out simulations
Analyzed data
7 

Interpreted results
Planned or developed follow-up work based on results
Prepared summaries of results for dissemination (in publications or presentations)
Presented my work to other students, faculty or researchers (in a seminar, conference or other
venue)
Mentored other students conducting research or led a student research team
Source: Adapted from EAPSI E4

Please tell us about your experience BEFORE participating in IRES 
7. a. Had you participated in any research prior to participating in the IRES program?
Yes
No
b. When did you participate in prior research?
Select all that apply
 During one academic year (typically ~10 hr/week for at least one semester)
 During one summer (typically full time for at least six weeks)
 During multiple academic years and/or summers
Source: SURE follow-up survey, question wording tailored to name IRES and to add the word “experience”
8. Before your IRES international research experience, had you done any of the following?
Select all that apply
Attended elementary or secondary school in another country (outside the U.S.)
Lived outside the U.S. for six months longer
Participated in a study abroad program
Spent a semester or more pursuing research outside the U.S.
Visited another country for leisure
Collaborated on research with someone based in another country
Published research with someone based in another country
Attended or presented scholarly work at a research conference in another country
Participated on a research team with a scientist who was visiting my group from a foreign institution
Worked with a colleague who had completed the IRES program
None of the above
Source: Adapted from IRFP C4 (added response options 3, 4 and 5)
9. Before you traveled to the international research site, did you receive any of the following supports from
IRES faculty and staff?
Select all that apply
Foreign language instruction
Country orientation (covering culture, politics, customs etc.)
Training in research techniques
Other: Text box, xx 
Source: New
8 

Please tell us about support activities AFTER your IRES experience 
10. Did you receive any of the following supports from IRES faculty and staff after you returned from the
international research site?
Select all that apply
Academic support (scientific/research advice, academic planning)
Reference letter to apply for further education or job
Assistance developing a publication or presentation based on research conducted while abroad.
Support finding other research opportunities
Guidance on how to maintain the professional contacts developed at the host institution
Help obtaining financial support to continue research you started on the IRES project
Mentoring on how to integrate the research conducted at the host institution into future research.
Other: Text box, xx 
Source: Adapted from EAPSI advisor survey D1and E1
11. Since the end of your IRES experience, have you collaborated or communicated with your foreign host?
 Yes
 No
Source: Adapted from IRFP F1
12. How did you collaborate or communicate with your foreign host since the end of your
IRES experience?
Select all that apply
We brainstormed / exchanged ideas
We exchanged / shared data, research results, or tools
We co-authored papers or grant proposals
My foreign host provided letters of reference
I had a position at the foreign host’s institution or group (analyst, postdoc, mentor, or other)
I participated again as an undergraduate or graduate student or post-doctoral fellow in a program
offered by the host’s institution
Other – Please specify Text box, xx 
Source: IRFP F1a

9 

The next questions focus on benefits of the IRES program 
13. How satisfied were you with the following aspects of your experience with the IRES program:
Very
dissatisfied

Somewhat
dissatisfied

a. Lab or field equipment
1 
2 
b. Support and guidance from
1 
2 
U.S. faculty involved in IRES
c. Support and guidance from the
foreign host or other foreign
1 
2 
senior researchers
d. Support and guidance from
graduate U.S. students involved
1 
2 
in IRES
e. Support and guidance from
undergraduate U.S. students
1 
2 
involved in IRES
f. Research group meetings
1 
2 
g. Group social activities
1 
2 
h. The IRES program in general
1 
2 
Source: Adapted from URSSA 11and CISE REU a la carte 24

Neutral

Somewhat
satisfied

Very
satisfied

Not
applicable

3 

4 

5 

6 

3 

4 

5 

6 

3 

4 

5 

6 

3 

4 

5 

6 

3 

4 

5 

6 

3 
3 
3 

4 
4 
4 

5 
5 
5 

6 
6 
6 

14. What were the most valuable aspects of your experience with the IRES program?
Text box, xxx 

Source: Adapted from EAPSI E3
15. What would have made the IRES experience more useful or impactful to you?
Text box, xxx 

Source: New

10 

16. Please rate how much you learned about the following during your IRES research experience:
Nothing at all

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

Writing a research proposal
Giving an effective oral presentation
Writing technical and scientific text
Ethics in scientific research
Laboratory or research techniques
The nature of the job of a researcher
Working collaboratively with others
Identifying appropriate research methods
and designs
i. Formulating a research hypothesis that could
be answered with data
j. Analyzing data and interpreting results
k. Understanding the theories and concepts
guiding a research project
l. Defending an argument when asked
questions
m. Ability to work collaboratively
n. Self-confidence in ability to contribute to
knowledge through research
o. Applying and participating in conferences
p. Career options in research

A little bit

A good amount









2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3

1 

2

3 

4 

1 

2

3 

4 

1 

2

3 

4 

1 

2

3 

4 

1 

2

3 

4 

1 

2

3 

4 

1 

2

3 

4 

1 
1 

2
2

3 
3 

4 
4 

1
1
1
1
1
1
1









A great deal

4
4
4
4
4
4
4









Source: Adapted from REU CISE a la carte.

11 

17. How much do you agree with the following statements?
Strongly
Disagree

a.

My research benefited from access to expertise
of foreign partners in my field.
My research benefited from access to data,
equipment or facilities available in foreign
locations.
My research benefited from access to placebased phenomena that occur outside the U.S.
(e.g., biological, geological, cultural
phenomena).
Regulatory, bureaucratic or administrative
procedures in a foreign country hindered the
progress of my research.
Exposure to different cultural perspectives
improved the quality of my research.
Cultural differences hindered the progress of
my research.
Language differences hindered the progress of
my research.
My work abroad opened up new areas of
investigation.
I made valuable professional connections.

b.

c.

d.

e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.

Participating in IRES made me more
competitive for jobs.
Participating in IRES made me consider
professional opportunities I would not have
considered in the past.

k.

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly
Agree

1 

2

3 

4 

5 

6 

1 

2

3 

4 

5 

6  

1 

2

3 

4 

5 

6 

1 

2

3 

4 

5 

6 

1 

2

3 

4 

5 

6 

1 

2

3 

4 

5 

6 

1 

2

3 

4 

5 

6 

1 

2

3 

4 

5 

6 

1 

2

3 

4 

5 

6 

1 

2

3 

4 

5 

6 

1 

2

3 

4 

5 

6 

Source: Adapted from PIRE grad survey C4 and EAPSI Applicant Survey F3 [consider alternatives for order delivery]
18. Has the IRES experience influenced your short- and/or long-term professional goals?
Select all that apply


3
4
1
2

IRES encouraged me to pursue further education (e.g., graduate school, post-doc, etc.)
IRES helped solidify my interest in a research or academic career
IRES helped solidify my interest in science
IRES helped me change my career plans
Please explain how your plans changed:

5

Text box, xx 

 None of the above. My professional goals did not change as a result of participating in the IRES
program

Source: New
19. Since participating, have you recommended the IRES program to a friend or colleague?
Yes
No
Source: New
12 

Not
applic
able

Please tell us about yourself  
20. What is the highest degree you have earned?
 Associate’s degree (e.g., AA, AS)
 Bachelor’s degree (e.g., BS, BA, AB)
 Master’s degree (e.g., MS, MA, MBA)
 Doctorate (e.g., PhD, DSc, EdD)
 Other professional degree (e.g., JD, LLB, MD, DDS, DVM) – Specify type: Text box, xx 
 Other – Specify type: Text box, xx 
Source: Added one response option from Q7 (AA degree) into Q16 of NSCG 2015
21. In what year was your highest degree awarded?
Year:

Number box 

Source: Adapted from NSCG 2015 D11
22. What was your major or primary field of study?
[Drop down menu with broad fields as shown in Q4]
Source: NSCG 2015 and REU Data System
23. Were you working for pay or profit during the week of [REFERENCE DATE]?
Working includes being a student on paid work-study, self-employed and did not get paid that week, on a postdoctoral
appointment, on vacation from work, on personal leave, paid sick leave, on travel while employed, or on any type of paid or
unpaid leave, including vacation.
 Yes
 No
Source: NSCG 2015 A1, wording in italics adapted to be more comprehensive
24. What were your reasons for not working during the week of [REFERENCE DATE]?
Select all that apply
Retired
On layoff from a job
Student
Family responsibilities
Chronic illness or permanent disability
Suitable job not available
Did not need or want to work
Other – Specify Text box, xx 
Source: NSCG 2015 A3, excluded retirement date if selected retired

13 

25. Choose the category that best describes the principal job you held during the week of [REFERENCE
DATE]: [Drop down menu with following NSCG job titles]
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29

Biological/Life Scientists
Clerical/Administrative Support Occupations
Clergy/Other Religious Workers
Computer Occupations
Consultants
Counselors
Engineers/Architects
Engineering Technologists/Technicians/Surveyors
Farmers/Foresters/Fishermen
Health Occupations
Lawyers/Judges
Librarians/Archivists/Curators
Managers and Supervisors, First0Line
Managers, Top-level Executives/Administrators
Managers, Other
Management-Related Occupations
Mathematical Scientists
Physical Scientists
Research Associates/Assistants
Sales/Marketing Occupations
Service Occupations, Except Health
Social Scientists
Social Workers
Teachers—Precollege
Teachers/Professors—Postsecondary
Teachers—Other
Writers/Editors/Public Relations Specialists/Artists/Entertainers/Broadcasters
Other Professions
Other Occupations (not listed)

Source: Adapted from NSCG 2015A7 to select job titles from NSCG pages 18-19 instead of inserting job code
26. Did your duties on this job require the technical expertise of a bachelor’s degree or higher in…
 Engineering, computer science, math, or the natural sciences
 The social sciences
 Some other field (e.g., health, business, or education). Specify: Text box, xx 
Source: NSCG 2015 A19
27. Did your duties on this job require you to collaborate with foreign investigators?
 Yes
 No
Source: New
28. In addition to IRES, have you participated in any other program funded by the National Science
Foundation – such as Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), International Research
Fellowship Program (IRF), Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), etc.?
 Yes, in the following program(s):
 No
Source: New

Text box, xx 

14 

29. Have you applied for a research grant to the National Science Foundation as a principal investigator or
co-principal investigator?
 Yes
 No
Source: New
30. Since participating in IRES, how many of the following works have you produced as an author, coauthor, inventor, co-inventor, developer, or co-developer? Make your best approximation if you do not
know the exact number.
Total number
(enter 0 if none)
a.

Conference abstracts, posters or presentations (including any
published in conference proceedings)

Number box, xx 

b. Scientific publication in a peer-reviewed journal

Number box, xx 

c.

Number box, xx 

Patents, registered or pending, provisional or non-provisional

d. Other products that have been disseminated to the scholarly
community or public (e.g., educational material, software application,
dataset, database)

Number box, xx 

Source: Adapted from PIRE grad survey C2a

=1> Did any of these conference abstracts, posters or presentations include a foreign
collaborator?
=1> Did any of these publications include a foreign collaborator?
=1> Did any of these patents include a foreign collaborator?
=1> Did any of these products include a foreign collaborator?

NSF seeks participation in its activities among different groups, including men and 
women, minorities and nonminorities, people with and without disabilities, and 
others. Please help us measure attainment of this goal by answering a few 
additional questions. 
31. Ethnicity
 Hispanic or Latino
 Not Hispanic or Latino
 I do not wish to provide this information
Source: REU Data System. Modified from the GRPF Application. Adapted the last response option from “Do not wish
to provide ethnicity” to “I do not wish to provide this information”.

15 

32. Race
Select all that apply
□ American Indian or Alaskan Native
□ Asian
□ Black or African American
□ Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
□ White
□ I do not wish to provide this information
Source: REU Data System. Modified from the GRFP Application. Adapted the last response option from “Do not wish
provide race” to “I do not wish to provide this information”.
33. Sex assigned at birth on your original birth certificate
 Male
 Female
 I do not wish to provide this information
Source: Mathematica memo on “Measuring Gender,” based on Williams Institute at the University of California Los
Angeles (UCLA)
34. Veteran Status
A veteran is a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or 
released under conditions other than dishonorable.  
 Veteran
 Not veteran
 I do not wish to provide this information
Source: REU Data System. Modified from the GRFP Application to include a definition from 38 CFR. Adapted the last
response option from “Do not wish to provide” to “I do not wish to provide this information”.

16 

35. What is the usual degree of difficulty you have with…
This question is designed to help us better understand the career paths of individuals with specific 
difficulties. 
a. SEEING words or letters in ordinary
newsprint (with glasses/contact
lenses, if you usually wear them)?
b. HEARING what is normally said in
conversation with another person
(with hearing aid, if you usually wear
one)?
c. WALKING or using stairs without
human or mechanical assistance?
d. LIFTING or carrying something as
heavy as 10 pounds, such as a bag of
groceries?
e. CONCENTRATING,
REMEMBERING, or MAKING
DECISIONS because of a physical,
mental, or emotional condition?
f. I do not wish to provide this
information

None

Slight

1 

2

3 

4 

5 

1 

2

3 

4 

5 

1 

2

3 

4 

5 

1 

2

3 

4 

5 

2

3 

4 

5

1 

Moderate

Severe

Unable to do

6

Source: REU Data System. Adapted from the NSCG 2015 E14 to include “I do not wish to provide this
information”.
36. What is the highest level of education completed by your parents or guardians?

Less than high school completed
High school diploma or equivalent
Some college, vocational, or trade school
(including 2-year degrees)
Bachelor’s degree (e.g., BS, BA, AB)
Master’s degree (e.g., MS, MA, MBA)
Professional degree (e.g., JD, LLB, MD,DDs,
Doctorate (e.g., PhD, DSc, EdD)
Not applicable
Don’t know

Mother or female
guardian








 

Father or male
guardian










Source: Adapted from the National Survey of Recent College Graduates 2010 (D6). Added “Don’t know” as a
response category.
37. Were either of your parents or guardians born outside of the United States?
 Yes
 No
 I do not wish to provide this information
Source: New

17 

38. Please use the space below to share additional thoughts or comments about the IRES program or to
provide clarifications on your responses to this survey.
Text box, xxx 

Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey!
Click here to submit and exit this survey 

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