Standards Coordination Office Curricula Development Cooperative Agreement Program

The Standards Coordination Office Curricula Development Cooperative Agreement Program is administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology within the U.S. Department of Commerce. This program builds on earlier education-focused initiatives launched in 2012 to strengthen the integration of standards and standardization concepts into higher education. Over time, the program evolved into a cooperative agreement model, allowing closer collaboration between NIST and award recipients. The current program continues this mission by supporting institutions of higher education in developing curricula that improve understanding of documentary standards, standards development processes, and their role in innovation and economic growth. The primary purpose of the program is to support the development of undergraduate and graduate-level curricula that incorporate standards-related content into academic programs. Funded projects must create seminars, modules, courses, or other learning resources that educate students about the value and application of standards and standardization. Projects are expected not only to develop instructional content but also to create sustainable and replicable models that can be adopted or adapted by other institutions across the United States. Recipients are also required to design dissemination strategies to broadly share project outcomes with academic and professional communities. Funding under this program supports a range of curriculum development activities, including design, testing, and evaluation of course materials, as well as student engagement in simulated standards development activities. Allowable costs include personnel, limited supplies, travel for dissemination activities, and stipends for collaborating instructors. However, certain activities are explicitly excluded, including basic research, K-12 education, workforce training, equipment purchases beyond specified limits, and food or catering expenses. While cost sharing is not required, voluntary contributions may be considered as a selection factor during the review process. Eligibility is limited to accredited institutions of higher education located in the United States or its territories. These institutions may apply individually or as part of a consortium that includes other organizations such as nonprofits or industry partners. Federal entities may participate only as unfunded collaborators, and foreign organizations are not eligible to apply. Applicants must demonstrate institutional commitment to integrating the developed curricula into academic programs and may include letters of commitment from partner organizations to strengthen their proposals. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and must include several required components, such as standard federal forms, a detailed project narrative, budget justification, letters of commitment, and supporting documentation. The project narrative must outline the technical approach, execution plan, communication and dissemination strategy, qualifications of key personnel, and resource availability. Applications are evaluated through a competitive merit review process involving independent reviewers who assess proposals based on technical merit, dissemination plans, personnel qualifications, and resource adequacy. The application deadline is July 13, 2026, with awards expected to be announced by September 2026 and projects beginning as early as October 2026. The period of performance is up to three years. Recipients are required to participate in workshops, submit semi-annual financial and technical reports, and produce a final summary paper detailing project outcomes and lessons learned. The program does not explicitly state a recurring cycle but appears to follow annual funding opportunities. For additional information, applicants may contact the program office via email for technical questions or the designated grants officer for regulatory inquiries. The program emphasizes collaboration, scalability, and dissemination, aiming to enhance the integration of standards education into higher education curricula nationwide.

Ensure strong replication and dissemination plan; demonstrate institutional commitment to curriculum integration; include qualified multidisciplinary team; align closely with evaluation criteria and provide detailed execution plan