Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Directorate for STEM Education

The Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Directorate for STEM Education program is administered by the National Science Foundation, an independent federal agency established to promote the progress of science and support research and education across the United States. The program operates under the Directorate for STEM Education and reflects NSF’s broader mission to strengthen the nation’s scientific workforce and advance knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Through this initiative, NSF seeks to improve the quality and effectiveness of undergraduate STEM education while fostering innovation, inclusivity, and institutional capacity building across higher education systems. The primary purpose of the program is to support projects that generate and apply new knowledge about STEM teaching and learning. It emphasizes evidence based approaches that enhance student engagement, improve retention and persistence in STEM disciplines, and prepare students for workforce participation. The program supports both the development of innovative teaching practices and the study of their effectiveness, encouraging projects that can be replicated or adapted across different institutions and student populations. It also prioritizes efforts that broaden participation among underrepresented groups and strengthen diversity within STEM education. Funding is structured across multiple tracks and levels, including Engaged Student Learning and Institutional and Community Transformation. Awards vary significantly in size depending on scope, ranging from smaller exploratory projects to large scale initiatives that may extend over multiple years. Funding supports activities such as curriculum development, faculty professional development, institutional transformation strategies, research studies, and dissemination of findings. While the program does not permit voluntary cost sharing, it allows flexibility in how funds are used within project guidelines, provided expenditures align with NSF policies and the goals of improving undergraduate STEM education. Eligibility is limited to organizations defined within the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide, primarily institutions of higher education and associated organizations. Individuals who are not affiliated with an eligible organization are not permitted to apply independently. There are no restrictions on who may serve as a principal investigator, although individuals may participate as PI or co PI on no more than three proposals within a given annual cycle. This ensures broad participation while maintaining manageable review and funding processes. Applications must be submitted through NSF designated systems such as Research.gov or Grants.gov, following detailed proposal preparation guidelines outlined in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide. Required components include a full project description, budget, evaluation plan, and supplementary documentation such as participant lists. Proposals are evaluated using NSF’s merit review criteria, focusing on intellectual merit and broader impacts. Reviewers assess the quality, feasibility, innovation, and potential societal benefits of each project, as well as the qualifications of the proposing team and the adequacy of available resources. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle with multiple deadlines depending on the project type and funding level. Deadlines typically occur on the third Wednesday in January and the third Wednesday in July each year. Proposals are reviewed within approximately eight to ten weeks after submission, and final funding decisions are generally communicated within six months. Successful applicants receive either standard or continuing grants, and funded projects must comply with reporting requirements, including annual and final reports submitted through NSF systems. Overall, the program represents a significant federal investment in improving undergraduate STEM education nationwide. By supporting innovative teaching practices, fostering institutional transformation, and advancing research on learning, it contributes to the development of a diverse and highly skilled STEM workforce. Its recurring structure and broad eligibility framework make it a central funding opportunity for colleges, universities, and organizations seeking to enhance STEM education at scale.

Align proposal with intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria; emphasize evidence based practices and measurable outcomes