Translation and Diffusion

---

Description

The National Science Foundation's Translation and Diffusion (TD) program aims to bridge the gap between fundamental STEM education research and its application in PreK-12 classroom practice, as well as to leverage effective educational practices to inform and enrich foundational research. The program supports the scientific study of theories, frameworks, and models that facilitate the translation and diffusion of knowledge across disciplines, contexts, and levels of analysis (e.g., from biological to cognitive to behavioral levels, or from individual classrooms to districts).

The solicitation invites four types of proposals:

• Research on Translation or Diffusion: Funding to develop or refine theories, frameworks, or models for translating research knowledge into practice and vice versa, including empirical studies and adaptation of models from other domains. These projects may request up to $1 million for up to three years.

• Proof-of-Concept Research: Projects exploring the feasibility of applying STEM education research findings or products in formal PreK-12 settings, or adapting insights across different contexts and populations. These proposals must articulate a plausible pathway for moving research findings toward practice over time and may request up to $1 million for up to three years.

• Synthesis Proposals: Critical integration of existing knowledge on topics relevant to translation and diffusion in STEM education, such as literature reviews or meta-analyses, aiming to identify knowledge gaps and future research directions. Funding may be requested up to $500,000 for up to three years.

• Conference/Workshop Proposals: Support for activities that convene stakeholders to develop research agendas, model-building, or planning related to translation and diffusion. Funding typically ranges from $25,000 to $99,000. Investigators must contact a program officer prior to submission.

The program strongly encourages proposals that address challenges faced by under-resourced, under-served, and underrepresented communities in formal PreK-12 STEM education.

Due Dates

• April 1, 2025
• February 4, 2026
• First Wednesday in February, Annually Thereafter (rolling annual deadline)

All deadlines are by 5 p.m. local time of the submitting organization.

Funding Amount

• Research on Translation or Diffusion and Proof-of-Concept Research: up to $1 million per award, duration up to 3 years.
• Synthesis proposals: up to $500,000 per award, duration up to 3 years.
• Conference/Workshop proposals: typically $25,000 to $99,000.
• Estimated total program budget: $7 million with approximately 15 awards annually (subject to availability).

Eligibility

• Who May Submit:

  • U.S.-based Institutions of Higher Education (two- and four-year, including community colleges)
  • Non-profit, non-academic organizations (e.g., museums, observatories, research labs)
  • For-profit organizations with strong STEM research or education capabilities
  • State and local governments
  • Federally recognized Tribal Nations
  • Foreign organizations only for cooperative projects with U.S. partners (funding only for U.S. portion)
  • Other Federal Agencies and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) following specific guidelines

• PI Eligibility: No restrictions or limits on who may serve as Principal Investigator.

• Proposal Limits: No limits on the number of proposals per organization or PI.

Application Process

• Proposals must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov following the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG).
• Letters of Intent and preliminary proposals are not required.
• The proposal must include a Project Summary indicating the proposal type and five keywords describing theory, methodology, STEM content, and stakeholder communities.
• The Project Description must include a separate Broader Impacts section.
• Human Subjects box must be checked and appropriate IRB approvals or exemptions obtained before award.
• Budget should include funds for attendance at a biennial grantees' meeting in Washington, D.C.
• Supplementary documents must include Letters of Collaboration, Mentoring Plan (if applicable), Data Management and Sharing Plan, and a List of Project Personnel.
• Voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.

Additional Information

• The program is methodologically agnostic and welcomes diverse research approaches including case studies, ethnography, surveys, social network analysis, systematic reviews, experiments, and more.
• Proposals should articulate clear plans for how research outcomes will be assessed and disseminated.
• The program emphasizes reciprocal knowledge flow between research and practice, aiming to avoid premature application of basic research and to enrich foundational science with insights from practice.
• The program supports broadening participation in STEM by encouraging proposals that address equity, inclusion, and access, especially for underrepresented groups and institutions.
• Awardees must comply with NSF award conditions, including reporting requirements and adherence to the Build America, Buy America Act.

External Links

• Program Solicitation and Details - NSF 25-528: Translation and Diffusion (TD)
• NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)
• NSF Grants.gov Application Guide
• Broadening Participation in STEM - NSF
• Build America, Buy America - NSF
• Companion Guidelines on Replication and Reproducibility in Education Research

Contact Information

Address:
National Science Foundation
2415 Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 292-5111
TDD (hearing impaired): (703) 292-5090