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National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI)
(For rising 9th–12th grade high school students)

• Increase awareness of transportation-related careers among high school students,
• Strengthen participants’ STEM knowledge and skills, and
• Encourage students to consider pursuing a transportation-related major in college.

This program is administered and funded by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). NSTI is a four-week program, with the first three weeks conducted as a residential experience on the Tennessee State University (TSU) main campus and the final week held virtually. The 2026 program will take place from  June 15, 2026, through July 10, 2026 , at TSU Main Campus.

• NSTI Program:  Free
• Scholarships: Available for up to  20 students

1. Completed online application
2. Official high or middle school transcript (uploaded to the application)
3. Official ACT, SAT, or PSAT scores (if available)
4. One-page typed essay (PDF preferred, 12-point font, maximum one page) that includes:
• Your career objectives,
• Your interest in engineering or transportation, and
• How the NSTI program will help you achieve your goals.
5. One letter of recommendation from a counselor or teacher that:
• Is on official school letterhead,
• Includes the recommender’s contact information (email and phone number), and
• Is signed and dated.
  The letter should be emailed  directly to Professor Kang Du at kdu@tnstate.edu by the recommender.