Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described that support dynamic transient period configurations for shortened transmission time intervals (sTTIs). A transient period may be configured within uplink transmissions such that protection is enabled for reference signals and data. For example, a user equipment (UE) may receive a resource grant from a base station for an uplink transmission, where the uplink transmission includes at least a first reference signal and a transmission time interval (TTI) that includes data and a second reference signal. The UE may identify a type of the reference signals and data, and may determine a priority based on the identified types of reference signals and data. The UE may then configure a transient period that overlaps with the first reference signal, the TTI, or both, based on the priority.