Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering and Computer Science
The RET in Engineering and Computer Science grant provides K-14 educators with summer research experiences to enhance teaching in computing and engineering.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: October 8, 2025 (RET Site Proposals; second Wednesday in October, annually) | October 14, 2026 (RET Site Proposals)
Funding Amounts: Up to $600,000 total per RET Site (up to 3 years); up to $15,000 per teacher for Supplements; estimated $5.8M program funding/year.
Summary: Supports authentic summer research experiences for K-14 educators to foster collaborations between academic institutions, school districts, and industry in engineering and computer science.
Key Information: Annual deadlines; strong emphasis on partnerships and broadening participation.
Description
This funding opportunity supports the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering and Computer Science program. The program is designed to provide K-14 educators (including K-12 teachers and community college faculty) with authentic summer research experiences in engineering or computer science. The goal is to establish long-term collaborative relationships among universities, community colleges, school districts, and industry partners, fostering a reciprocal exchange of expertise.
Educators participating in RET Sites will enhance their disciplinary knowledge and develop new curricular materials to bring research-based learning into their classrooms, broadening student awareness and participation in STEM pathways. Hosting research faculty and mentors benefit by deepening their understanding of current classroom practices and educational environments.
The solicitation features two mechanisms:
- RET Sites: Independent, cohort-based summer research programs for 8–10 K-14 educators, typically lasting six weeks.
- RET Supplements: Add-on support for one or more K-14 educators to participate in ongoing or new NSF-funded research projects.
