NSF STEM K-12
This grant funds research to improve and understand STEM education for all ages in both formal and informal learning environments.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: October 7, 2076 (Application deadline) | Rolling (Proposals accepted anytime)
Funding Amounts: $30 million total program funding; most awards $25,000–$750,000 for one to three years
Summary: Supports fundamental, applied, and translational research advancing STEM teaching and learning in formal and informal settings.
Key Information: Conference proposers must contact a STEM K-12 Program Director before submitting.
Description
NSF STEM K-12 is administered by the Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings within NSF’s Directorate for STEM Education. It supports fundamental, applied, and translational research that advances STEM teaching and learning across the human lifespan. Projects may address any STEM field in formal pre-K–12 education or informal learning environments, including work translating research into educational practice or using practice to inform fundamental research.
The program encourages innovative, multidisciplinary, potentially transformative projects that build theory, generate knowledge, and develop tools and frameworks. Areas of interest include instructional innovations, learning processes, computer science and AI pathways, workforce capacity, and advanced methods for studying learning. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches are welcome, as are partnerships incorporating education researchers, practitioners, industry, learners, and other stakeholders.
