Nanoscale Science and Engineering Education

This solicitation continues a comprehensive effort on the part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to enhance formal and informal education in nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. Its goals are to develop strong partnerships linking science educators with nanoscale science and engineering researchers, and to increase knowledge of advances in nanoscale research and technology and their impact on society.

To attain the overarching program goals, NSEE encompasses two independent components:

[A] Nanoscale Informal Science Education (NISE): This effort is intended to foster public awareness, engagement, and understanding of nanoscale science, engineering, and technology through establishment of a Network, a national infrastructure that links science museums and other informal science education organizations with nanoscale science and engineering research organizations.

[B] Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education (NUE): This component aims at introducing nanoscale science, engineering, and technology through a variety of interdisciplinary approaches into undergraduate education, particularly in the first two collegiate years.

A related program solicitation, Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NSF 04-043), is focused on fundamental research in emerging areas of nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. This related solicitation contains three components: Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Teams (NIRT); Nanoscale Exploratory Research (NER); and Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSEC). Other research and education projects in nanoscale science and engineering will continue to be supported in the relevant NSF programs and divisions.

NOTE: Those organizations with an interest in more than one NSEE component must submit separate proposals for each component of interest.