Funder: National Science Foundation
Due Dates: October 2, 2025 (Full Proposal) | First Thursday in October, annually thereafter
Funding Amounts: Level I: up to $500,000 | Level II: up to $1,500,000 | Level III: up to $2,500,000 (3–5 years)
Summary: Supports fundamental research to advance general knowledge in STEM education, including learning, broadening participation, and workforce development.
Key Information: Proposals must align funding level and duration with project maturity and scope; pilot studies, syntheses, and conferences are also supported.
Description
This opportunity from the National Science Foundation (NSF) supports fundamental research that advances general, explanatory knowledge underlying STEM education. The program welcomes proposals for curiosity-driven basic research and use-inspired basic research in one or more of three broad areas:
- Research on STEM Learning and Learning Environments
- Research on Broadening Participation in STEM fields
- Research on STEM Workforce Development
Projects may address learners of all ages and backgrounds, in both formal and informal settings. The program encourages multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches, and supports a wide range of research activities, including pilot studies, synthesis projects, and conferences.
The goal is to generate foundational knowledge with broad relevance, which may have indirect or long-term implications for improving STEM education practice.
Due Dates
- Next Full Proposal Deadline: October 2, 2025 (First Thursday in October, annually thereafter)
- Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. submitter's local time.
Funding Amount
- Level I: Up to $500,000 (typically for pilot studies or smaller projects; up to 3 years)
- Level II: Up to $1,500,000 (up to 5 years)
- Level III: Up to $2,500,000 (up to 5 years)
- The requested funding level and duration must be justified based on the maturity, size, and scope of the proposed work.
- Typical total program funding is approximately $35 million per year, with about 40 awards anticipated annually.
Eligibility
- Eligible Applicants: Most U.S. institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, and other organizations as specified in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Unaffiliated individuals are not eligible.
- Eligible PIs: No restrictions or limits.
- Number of Proposals: No limits per organization or per PI/co-PI.
Application Process
- Submission Platforms: Proposals must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov. FastLane is no longer accepted for research proposals.
- Letters of Intent/Preliminary Proposals: Not required.
- Full Proposal: Must follow the guidelines in the current NSF PAPPG or the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide.
- Key Proposal Elements:
- Project Summary specifying funding level, research area(s), topic cluster(s), and five key words.
- Project Description (max 15 pages) including rationale for funding level and duration, research plan, broader impacts, and dissemination strategy.
- Budget and Budget Justification (up to 5 pages).
- Data Management Plan and, if applicable, Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan.
- List of all project personnel.
- Special Note: Proposals involving human subjects must address IRB status; no awards will be made without appropriate approvals or exemptions.
Additional Information
- Types of Projects Supported:
- Pilot Studies: Small-scale, preliminary studies (Level I, up to $500,000, up to 3 years).
- Synthesis Projects: Integrative reviews or meta-analyses (Level I or II).
- Conference Proposals: Well-focused meetings to advance fundamental research (typically $25,000–$99,000).
- Cost Sharing: Not allowed.
- Indirect Costs: No specific limitations.
- Reporting: Annual and final project reports required via Research.gov.
External Links
Contact Information