TNTs is back for 2026
Technology Training for Non-Traditionals (TNTs) is back for 2026. It is a program that aims to increase participation from individuals across various educational and experience backgrounds to become part of or add skills to the cyberinfrastructure (CI) workforce. The program includes awareness of CI job opportunities, mentoring, hands-on experience with advanced networks and systems, and leveraging a broad community of supportive alumni to prepare students for careers in CI.
Specifically, participants will benefit from: Hands-on training before and during SC26, and its annual global networking collaboration, SCinet. During SC26, SCinet is the most powerful and advanced computer network on Earth, and it is designed, built, and administered by up to 200 community volunteers from industry, academia, and the government.
SCinet provides a cutting-edge testbed used by attendees and offers valuable training and career opportunities to the volunteer staff through collaborative opportunities to work in an environment far beyond what most educational institutions can offer. Technical training in topics like systems programming, information security, storage administration, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and other emerging technology, and soft skills training to enhance or improve in areas like responsibility, communication, and networking, to name a few Collaboration, including working in the following teams: Contributor Relations, DevOps, Edge Network, Fiber, Fiber, Help Desk, Interconnect, Logistic/Equipment, Network Security, Power, Routing, WAN Transport, Wireless Networking.
This is an in-person activity that will require participants to be on site in Chicago, IL in October and November of 2026. Most participants will spend an average of 14 days over both times, including weekends.
Estimated Dates on site:
- October 25 – 30, 2026, SCinet Staging (participation dates may vary based on team needs)
- November 8 – 20, 2026, SCinet Setup, Live Operations, and Teardown (required
Travel support (airfare and hotel) and registration to SC will be provided.
A stipend will also be provided.
Eligibility
To be eligible, participants must:
- Be at least 18 years of age at the start of the program.
- Have an interest in entering or enhancing the CI workforce
- Commit to participating in the year-long training activities, mentoring, and travel (see requirements below).
- If already in a CI job less than 5 years experience in that job.
Participants selected for the program must:
- Attend a 60-min virtual Orientation
- Complete the TNT Student Agreement Forms
- If currently employed, provide an employment approval letter (provided by TNT) authorizing travel to Chicago, IL in October and November 2026
- Complete a pre and post-survey
- Participate in all training activities
- Travel to Chicago, IL twice in 2026: 5 days in October and 5-10 days in November
- Pick and attend a conference of your choosing
Timeline and Time Commitment:
- Now: Orientation, training, and mentoring
- Training and Mentoring: 4-5 hrs per month (all virtual)
- October: Staging, Oct 25 to Oct 30, initial set-up of equipment at SC26 in Chicago, IL (5-10 days).
- November: Show, Nov 8 to Nov 20: Travel, set-up, and participation at SC26 in Chicago, IL (5-10 days)
- January – June: Continued engagement with mentor(s) and training: (2 hrs per month)
- January – June: Attend a conference of your choosing
To apply please fill out this questionnaire
Applications due June 26, 2026 – 11:59 PM CST
Notifications will be sent out by July 31, 2026