Funder: National Science Foundation
Due Dates: August 26, 2025 (Full Proposal) | Last Tuesday in August, annually thereafter
Funding Amounts: Up to $3,000,000 for most tracks (5–6 years); up to $1,200,000 (5 years, Track 1); up to $1,000,000 (5 years, Research); up to $100,000 (1 year, Capacity Building); additional incentives possible
Summary: Supports recruitment, preparation, and retention of effective K-12 STEM teachers and teacher leaders in high-need school districts, as well as research on STEM teacher effectiveness and retention.
Key Information: Proposals must address only one track; cost sharing is not required; collaboration incentives available for certain partnerships.
Description
The National Science Foundation's program supports innovative projects to address the urgent need for highly effective K-12 STEM teachers and teacher leaders in high-need school districts. The program funds institutions to recruit, prepare, and retain STEM undergraduate majors and professionals as K-12 teachers, support experienced teachers to become leaders, and conduct research on teacher effectiveness and retention. There are four main tracks, plus capacity building and conference/research experience opportunities.
Due Dates
- Next Full Proposal Deadline: August 26, 2025 (Last Tuesday in August, annually thereafter)
- Conference and Research Experience Proposals: May be submitted at any time after consultation with a Noyce Program Officer, but those submitted by the August deadline are prioritized.
Funding Amount
- Track 1: Scholarships & Stipends (S&S): Up to $1,200,000 (up to 5 years)
- Track 2: Teaching Fellowships (TF): Up to $3,000,000 (up to 6 years)
- Track 3: Master Teaching Fellowships (MTF): Up to $3,000,000 (up to 6 years)
- Track 4: Noyce Research: Up to $1,000,000 (up to 5 years)
- Capacity Building: Up to $100,000 (1 year)
- Conference/Research Experiences: Budgets commensurate with proposed work; consult with program officer
- Collaboration Incentives: Additional funds available for projects involving community colleges, minority-serving institutions, or collaboration with other Noyce projects
Eligibility
-
Who May Apply:
- U.S. accredited two- or four-year Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), including community colleges
- Consortia of such institutions
- U.S. nonprofit organizations offering teacher education or residency programs
- For Track 4 (Research): Professional societies or similar organizations directly associated with educational or research activities
-
PI Requirements:
- Tracks 1–3: At least one faculty member with an advanced STEM degree (in a STEM department) and one education faculty member (in an education department or equivalent) at a participating/partnering U.S. IHE
- Track 4: At least one individual with expertise in STEM education research and one with an advanced STEM degree
- Capacity Building: No restrictions
-
Other:
- No limit on the number of proposals per organization or PI/co-PI
- Proposals must address only one track
Application Process
- Submission Platforms: Research.gov or Grants.gov
- Letters of Intent: Not required
- Preliminary Proposals: Not required
- Full Proposals: Required; must follow the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and the program solicitation
- Letters of Collaboration: Required for most tracks (see solicitation for details)
- Budget Requirements: For Tracks 1–3, at least 60% of direct costs must be for scholarships, stipends, or fellowships
Program Tracks
Track 1: Scholarships & Stipends (S&S)
- For recruiting and preparing STEM undergraduates and professionals as K-12 STEM teachers in high-need districts
- Scholarships for undergraduates (at least junior status); stipends for STEM professionals entering teaching
- Recipients must commit to teaching in high-need LEAs (2 years per year of support)
Track 2: Teaching Fellowships (TF)
- For STEM professionals pursuing a master's degree and teacher certification
- Includes salary supplements during teaching commitment (4 years in high-need LEA)
Track 3: Master Teaching Fellowships (MTF)
- For experienced, exemplary K-12 STEM teachers to become teacher leaders
- Includes professional development and salary supplements (5 years in high-need LEA)
Track 4: Noyce Research
- For research on STEM teacher effectiveness and retention in high-need LEAs
- Open to a broader range of organizations, including professional societies
Capacity Building
- For institutions developing future Noyce proposals
- Up to $100,000 for 1 year
Conference/Research Experiences
- For conferences or authentic research experiences for pre-service/in-service STEM teachers
- Budgets must be discussed with a Noyce Program Officer
Additional Information
- Cost Sharing: Not required or allowed for new proposals through August 2026
- Collaboration Incentives: Additional funding available for substantive partnerships with community colleges, minority-serving institutions, or other Noyce projects
- Reporting: Grantees must track and report on recipients' teaching service and persistence beyond service commitments
- Repayment: Scholarships, stipends, or fellowships may revert to loans if service commitments are not fulfilled
External Links
Contact Information