Funder: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Due Dates: February 24, 2025 (Full Proposal Deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1,000,000 per award for up to 3 years; total program funding approximately $30,000,000
Summary: Supports experiential learning opportunities to expand access and interest in emerging technology STEM careers for diverse learners, fostering a competitive U.S. workforce.
Key Information: Proposals must address barriers to STEM access, leverage cross-sector partnerships, and use the NSF ETAP system for participant data management. Three participant tracks: Pivots, Beginnings, Explorations.
Description
The National Science Foundation (NSF), in partnership with Micron Technology, Inc. through the Micron Foundation, invites proposals for the Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) program. This initiative aims to expand the U.S. STEM workforce in emerging technology fields such as advanced manufacturing, advanced wireless, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum information science, semiconductors, and microelectronics by providing experiential learning opportunities.
ExLENT targets individuals from all professional and educational backgrounds, including those who have faced barriers to formal STEM education or have nontraditional pathways. The program emphasizes "learning-by-doing" through authentic workplace experiences like internships, apprenticeships, co-ops, and course-based industry-driven projects. It supports learners at various career stages, including adult learners seeking to upskill or reskill.
Key goals include:
- Expanding access to career-enhancing experiential learning for all individuals.
- Promoting cross-sector partnerships among industry, government, non-profits, and educational institutions.
- Developing a workforce aligned with regional emerging technology economies.
The program recognizes the dynamic nature of emerging technologies and the need for a diverse STEM workforce that can address challenges related to security, safety, and privacy.
Participant Tracks
- Pivots: For individuals not currently enrolled in post-secondary education but with transferable skills, aiming to pivot into emerging technology careers.
- Beginnings: For individuals with some STEM competencies seeking to deepen knowledge and advance careers.
- Explorations: For individuals with limited or no specialized STEM education interested in exploring emerging technology career paths.
Project Expectations
Proposals should include:
- Experiential learning activities that immerse participants in emerging technology fields.
- Career exploration and mentorship to support professional development.
- Cohort models to build STEM identity and community.
- Plans to ensure equitable access and positive experiences for all participants.
- Sustainability and scalability strategies for long-term impact.
- Robust evaluation and dissemination plans to contribute to STEM education knowledge.
All projects must use the NSF Education and Training Application system (ETAP) to manage participant demographic data.
Due Dates
- Full Proposal Deadline: February 24, 2025 (by 5 p.m. local time of submitting organization)
Funding Amount
- Individual awards: Up to $1,000,000 total for up to 3 years.
- Total program funding: Approximately $30,000,000.
- Estimated number of awards: 25 to 35.
- Funding supports participant stipends, transportation, subsistence, cohort and mentorship activities, administrative costs, and evaluation.
- Major research equipment purchases are not supported; limited equipment funding allowed for project-specific needs.
Eligibility
- Who May Submit:
- U.S.-based Institutions of Higher Education (two- and four-year, including community colleges)
- Non-profit, non-academic organizations (e.g., museums, research labs, professional societies)
- For-profit U.S. commercial organizations, including small businesses with STEM research/education capabilities
- Federally recognized Tribal Nations
- State and local governments, including workforce development entities
- Who May Serve as PI: No restrictions or limits.
- No limits on the number of proposals per organization or per PI/co-PI.
Application Process
- Proposals must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov following NSF Proposal & Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) guidelines.
- No letters of intent or preliminary proposals required.
- Proposal title must begin with the selected track (Pivots, Beginnings, or Explorations).
- Project Description limited to 15 pages, addressing all program requirements including rationale, experiential activities, partnerships, community building, access, sustainability, evaluation, and broader impacts.
- Budgets must prioritize participant support costs.
- Supplementary documents allowed: Mentoring Plan (up to 2 pages) and Letters of Collaboration (required for all partners except Micron).
- Appendices are not permitted.
- Use of NSF ETAP system is mandatory for participant data management.
Additional Information
- The program strongly encourages proposals that broaden participation of underrepresented and underserved groups in STEM.
- Proposals should address barriers such as financial, social, and logistical challenges to participation.
- Projects must include plans for evaluation with formative and summative components and independent oversight.
- Awardees must acknowledge NSF and Micron Foundation support in publications and reports.
- Annual ExLENT PI Conference attendance is required and should be budgeted.
External Links
Contact Information