Funder: National Science Foundation
Due Dates: November 12, 2025 (Full Proposal) | Annually, Second Wednesday in November
Funding Amounts: Total program ~$50M; Level I: up to $450K/3 yrs | Level II: up to $3M/4 yrs | Level III: up to $5M/5 yrs | Partnership: up to $100K/1 yr | Synthesis: up to $600K/3 yrs | Workshop: up to $200K/1 yr
Summary: Supports research and development to improve PreK-12 STEM teaching and learning through innovative, evidence-based approaches and partnerships.
Key Information: Proposals must focus on either the Learning or Teaching strand and align with NSF’s strategic STEM education priorities.
Description
The National Science Foundation’s Discovery Research PreK-12 (DRK-12) program funds research and development projects that enhance opportunities for all PreK-12 teachers and students to engage in high-quality STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning experiences. The program aims to:
- Build knowledge about effective ways to develop STEM content knowledge, practices, and skills among students and teachers.
- Support collaborative partnerships among STEM education researchers, practitioners, and school leaders to extend scientific literature and develop more effective practices.
- Advance the field of STEM education through knowledge synthesis, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of innovative assessment methods.
Projects may result in evidence-based products such as curricula, teaching and research tools, and models of collaboration. Proposals must identify either the Learning or Teaching strand as their primary focus and select an appropriate project type (e.g., exploratory, design and development, impact, implementation, measurement and assessment, synthesis, partnership development, or workshop/conference).
The program encourages proposals that address equity, broaden participation, and support the reciprocal exchange of knowledge between research and PreK-12 education communities. Proposals should align with NSF’s strategic priorities and demonstrate both theoretical and empirical justification.
Due Dates
- Full Proposal Deadline: November 12, 2025 (Second Wednesday in November, annually thereafter)
- Workshops/Conferences: Proposals accepted at any time (no specific deadline)
Funding Amount
- Total Anticipated Funding: ~$50,000,000 (subject to availability)
- Estimated Number of Awards: 50–60 per year
- Award Levels:
- Level I Research: Up to $450,000 (up to 3 years)
- Level II Research: Up to $3,000,000 (up to 4 years)
- Level III Research: Up to $5,000,000 (up to 5 years)
- Partnership Development: Up to $100,000 (1 year)
- Synthesis: Up to $600,000 (3 years)
- Workshop/Conference: Up to $200,000 (1 year)
Funding requests should be justified based on project scope and team capacity.
Eligibility
- Eligible Applicants: As defined in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG); typically, U.S. institutions of higher education, non-profits, for-profits, and certain other organizations. Unaffiliated individuals are not eligible.
- PI/Co-PI Restrictions: None.
- Number of Proposals: No limits per organization or individual.
- Cost Sharing: Not required or allowed.
Application Process
- Submission Platforms: Research.gov or Grants.gov
- Letters of Intent/Preliminary Proposals: Not required.
- Full Proposal Requirements: Follow the current NSF PAPPG and the program solicitation.
- Proposal Components: Cover sheet, project summary, project description (up to 15 pages; 8 pages for Partnership Development), references, budget and justification, facilities/resources, biographical sketches, current/pending support, collaborators/affiliations, data management plan, postdoctoral mentoring plan (if applicable), and supplementary documents.
- Review Criteria: NSF’s standard criteria—Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts.
Additional Information
- Strands: Proposals must focus on either the Learning or Teaching strand.
- Learning Strand: Focuses on student learning, engagement, and outcomes in STEM.
- Teaching Strand: Focuses on teacher knowledge, practices, and professional development in STEM.
- Project Types: Exploratory, Design and Development, Impact, Implementation and Improvement, Measurement and Assessment, Synthesis, Partnership Development, Workshop/Conference.
- Equity and Inclusion: Proposals addressing underrepresented groups, rural/urban/suburban diversity, and broadening participation are strongly encouraged.
- Dissemination: Strong communication and dissemination plans are required, targeting both research and practitioner audiences.
- Teacher Remuneration: Budgets should include fair compensation for teacher participants, consistent with local policies.
External Links
Contact Information