Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Directorate for STEM Education

The Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Directorate for STEM Education (IUSE: EDU) program is a flagship initiative of the National Science Foundation (NSF), specifically managed by its Directorate for STEM Education through the Division of Undergraduate Education. This grant opportunity is central to NSF's mission to advance the quality and reach of undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education across the United States. With STEM sectors projected to drive economic growth and job creation, the NSF is committed to developing innovative and evidence-based approaches to STEM learning that prepare students for the evolving demands of the workforce. The IUSE: EDU program is structured to support two main tracks: Engaged Student Learning (ESL) and Institutional and Community Transformation (ICT). The ESL track promotes the development, evaluation, and dissemination of teaching practices, tools, and curricula that enhance student engagement and success in STEM. The ICT track focuses on organizational change and systemic reform within higher education institutions to embed sustainable and effective STEM teaching practices. Each track features multiple levels of funding, reflecting different project scales and scopes, including exploratory efforts, mid-scale initiatives, and large-scale transformations. The program has a total anticipated budget of approximately $61 million per fiscal year and aims to make around 135 new awards annually. These include up to 50 Level 1 projects, 30 Level 2 and 3 projects, 15 Capacity-Building projects, and 40 workshops and conferences. ESL Level 1 and ICT Capacity-Building proposals may request up to $400,000 over three years and two years respectively. ESL Level 2 proposals may receive between $400,001 and $750,000 over three years, and Level 3 proposals can request up to $2 million over five years. ICT Level 2 awards may also range up to $2 million with a maximum duration of five years. Applicants eligible to submit proposals include institutions of higher education, as well as associated organizations. The NSF requires that proposers submit through Research.gov or Grants.gov and adhere to the current NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide. No Letters of Intent or preliminary proposals are required. Proposals must include a list of all project personnel and an evaluation plan, and they should clearly define research questions, project objectives, sustainability plans, and dissemination strategies. Each project must also contribute to the national knowledge base on effective STEM education practices. Full proposals for ESL Level 1 and ICT Capacity-Building and Level 1 projects are due annually on the third Wednesday in January. ESL Level 2 and 3 and ICT Level 2 proposals are due on the third Wednesday in July. These cycles recur annually, with the next expected deadlines being January 15, 2025, and July 16, 2025, respectively. The program does not support scholarships, and voluntary committed cost-sharing is prohibited. Applications must adhere to the specific guidelines outlined in the solicitation document NSF 23-510. For assistance or inquiries, the primary point of contact is the IUSE: EDU program team at the email address iuse@nsf.gov. For technical submission support, the NSF Help Desk and Research.gov Help Desk are also available. As of this solicitation, the Micron Foundation is noted as a collaborating partner, and interested applicants are encouraged to review related Dear Colleague Letters and participate in forthcoming webinars for additional guidance.