The Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) is responsible for the health of the Nation's science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education and for providing leadership in the effort to improve education in these areas. EHR has five major long-term goals:
These goals provide the focus for the activities of the Directorate's six divisions/offices, described below.
As an integral component of its overall mission, the NSF encourages U.S. participation in international activities that promise substantial benefits to the science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (SMET) education and research enterprise of the United States. Within this framework the EHR Directorate will consider support for those activities that offer access to resources including equipment, materials, practices, and personnel that could inform the U.S. education system, increase the competitiveness of U.S. personnel, assess the relative achievement of U.S. students, and facilitate the identification/analysis of "best practices" in SMET education. For more specific information, contact each individual program office within EHR (see program descriptions below).
The Office of Systemic Reform (OSR) manages a cadre of programs that encourage and facilitate coordinated approaches to the standards-based reform of science and mathematics education and the improvement of academic research competitiveness.
Systemic reform relies upon partnerships to identify needs; articulate visions; and develop goals, strategies, and activities for improvement of targeted areas. While each initiative is unique in its approach, all must begin with collaboration among individuals and organizations motivated to enhance educational opportunities for students and to improve the scientific and technological infrastructure of a state or region. Initiatives develop a plan of action that best utilizes existing resources and provides for growth supported by expanding resources.
The Office of Systemic Reform catalyzes change in two separate but coordinated spheres:
The Statewide Systemic Initiatives (SSI) Program is a major effort by the NSF to encourage improvements in science, mathematics, and engineering education through comprehensive systemic changes in the education systems of the states. State-level initiatives are an important way to reach the more than 15,000 school districts that make up the Nation's diverse school system. Systemic and lasting educational improvements in the United States depend on effective state policies, state adoption of high-quality materials and curricula, and well-prepared teachers and administrators. Strong state education programs and policies are vital links between national education goals and classroom implementation of the practices that will help us achieve these goals.
Eligibility
No new competition will be held in fiscal year 1995. (Currently
24 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are active awardees.)
For More Information
For a detailed description of this initiative, contact the
Statewide Systemic Initiatives Program, Directorate for Education
and Human Resources, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson
Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1682.
The Urban Systemic Initiatives (USI) Program in science, mathematics, and technology education was established in fiscal year 1993 to challenge the Nation's commitment to bring about sustained school reform in its urban centers. Through this initiative, the Foundation targets the 25 cities with the largest numbers of school-age children living in poverty to launch systemic programs to foster experimentation, accelerate the rate of change, and implement system-wide improvement in mathematics, science, and technology for grades pre-K through 12. "Systemic" refers to fundamental, comprehensive, and coordinated changes in science, mathematics, and technology education through attendant changes in policy, resource allocation, governance, management, content, and conduct.
The importance of the USI is made apparent by the fact that urban school systems enroll approximately half of all public school students in the United States. Recent studies point to a continued disparity between the academic performance of these students and that of their counterparts in suburban schools. The challenge is to reduce the gap between these groups while supporting an upward trajectory for all.
The design and implementation of the USI engages several organizational components of the Foundation, as well as private foundations, business and industry, and other Federal agencies. Principal participants in urban areas must collaborate to develop a rich array of networks and partnerships that will ensure that all children learn quality science and mathematics.
Eligibility
Eligibility for the USI is limited to the 25 cities with the
largest number of school-age children (ages 5 to 17) living in
economic poverty, as determined by the 1990 census.
The 25 USI-eligible cities are: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, El Paso, Fresno, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, New Orleans, New York City, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, and St. Louis. Currently nine cities have received implementation awards.
Deadline
Proposal deadline date is May 15, 1995. For More Information
For further information, contact the Urban Systemic Initiatives
Program, Directorate for Education and Human Resources, National
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia
22230, (703) 306-1682.
The Rural Systemic Initiatives (RSI) Program completes the trilogy of educational systemic reform efforts in the Office of Systemic Reform. The goal of RSI is to promote systemic improvements in science, mathematics, and technology education for students in rural, economically disadvantaged regions of the Nation, particularly those that have been underserved by NSF programs, and to ensure sustainability of these improvements by encouraging community development activities in conjunction with instructional and policy reform.
Students in rural areas, particularly those characterized by high and persistent poverty, receive much less instruction in science and mathematics than do students in suburban or advantaged urban classrooms. Moreover, societal conditions in such areas compound the barriers to students' achievement. These circumstances, taken together, negatively impact the children's chances of pursuing post- secondary degrees or careers that can provide a better quality of life. The cycle of poverty continues for these students, condemning them to low-skill jobs and incomes that decrease in real dollars over the course of their lives.
The premise of RSI is that a variety of educational, economic, and social factors must be aligned in order to significantly impact the achievement levels of students in disadvantaged circumstances. Therefore, RSI proposals must be submitted on behalf of consortia formed to address curriculum reform, teacher preservice and inservice education, policy restructuring, assessment, and implementation of national standards, as well as the economic and social well-being of the targeted regions.
RSI has three programmatic activities: Planning Awards (up to $50,000), Development Awards ($100,000 to $200,000), and Implementation Awards (up to $2 million per year for up to five years). Planning or Development awardees will be invited to submit proposals for Implementation Awards.
Eligibility
Regions that are eligible under RSI are composed of rural
counties that have been designated under the USDA's County Types
Code as 6-9, and in which 30 percent or greater of the school-age
children (ages 5 to 17) are living in economic poverty, as determined
by the 1990 census. Proposing consortia must include representatives
from state and local education agencies, business and industry,
local school districts, community colleges, health and human service
agencies, and economic development agencies. State-level agencies
or federally funded research and development organizations are
not eligible.
Deadline
Proposals to the RSI Program in fiscal year 1995 must be postmarked
no later than February 28, 1995.
For More Information
For further information, contact the Rural Systemic Initiatives
Program, Directorate for Education and Human Resources, National
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia
22230, (703) 306-1684.
EPSCoR's basic premise is that academic research activity underpins a state's overall research and development (R&D) competitiveness. Its goal, therefore, is to bring participating states' science and engineering research endeavors at academic institutions to nationally competitive levels. This improvement is designed to increase these states' science and engineering research capabilities and hence their overall R&D competitiveness.
By adopting a proactive role, the NSF has cooperated with state leaders in government, higher education, and business to establish productive, long-term partnerships. In each state the NSF's role is catalytic in nature and is designed to stimulate local action that will result in lasting improvements to the state's research infrastructure and increased national R&D competitiveness. Significant local investment in graduate research and training is a characteristic of the NSF/state partnership. During the history of the EPSCoR Program, the NSF has invested over $120 million, while the states have provided over $275 million in support of increased R&D competitiveness.
Eligibility
EPSCoR is restricted to those states that, historically, have
been less competitive than most others in obtaining Federal R&D
funding. The program is currently operating in 18 states: Alabama,
Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi,
Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina,
South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming, as well as
in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Deadline
Proposal submission deadline is determined by the EPSCoR solicitation
among the eligible participants.
For More Information
For further information, contact EPSCoR, Directorate for Education
and Human Resources, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson
Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1683.
The programs in this division are designed to improve the educational experiences of all students in school settings--pre-K through grade 12--and to increase and improve the opportunities for all individuals to explore science, mathematics, and technology beyond the school setting. The division seeks to achieve these goals by supporting projects that:
Proposals are accepted in response to general program announcements and to program solicitations that focus on specific high-priority problems and opportunities. Preliminary discussions with program staff are encouraged and preliminary proposals are required by some programs.
The division supports projects through the following programs.
Teacher Enhancement supports professional development projects that lead to a new level of teacher competence and a supportive school culture that empowers teachers to engage all students in rich and challenging programs in science, mathematics, and technology education. These projects seek to improve, broaden, and deepen the disciplinary and pedagogical knowledge of teachers, and to involve administrators and others who play significant roles in providing quality science, mathematics, and technology education for students from pre-K through grade 12.
Special emphasis is given to projects that promote the professional development of teachers within the whole school organization, thereby empowering them to bring about change and encouraging them to reflect on their own teaching and learning. New beliefs, skills, and behaviors are learned through inquiry and explored within a supportive school culture that itself is engaged in renewal. All such projects are expected to focus on the implementation of exemplary instructional materials consistent with nationally recognized standards for the teaching of mathematics, science, and technology education. The program also supports projects that promote the development of teacher leaders who have the skills necessary to educate other teachers and to engage in the planning and implementation of local initiatives. These leadership projects usually target teachers who need more advanced, specialized enrichment in the pedagogical knowledge and subject matter of their discipline and/or need the leadership development and follow-up support to act as change agents.
Eligibility
Any organization with a scientific or educational mission
may submit a proposal. These include colleges and universities,
state and local education agencies, professional societies, museums,
research laboratories, print or electronic media producers, private
foundations, private industries, publishers, and other public
and private organizations, whether for profit or nonprofit. The
Foundation especially welcomes proposals that involve the collaboration
of individuals or organizations from more than one of these areas.
Deadlines
The target date for receipt of proposals is September 1. The
starting date for a project should not be more than six months
after the target date. Required preliminary proposals may be submitted
at any time prior to April 1.
For More Information
For further information, contact the Teacher Enhancement Program,
Directorate for Education and Human Resources, National Science
Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230,
(703) 306-1613.
Instructional materials in science, mathematics, and technology guide both the course and content of classroom instruction in these areas. The release of curricular standards in mathematics and science creates a need for instructional materials that enable all students to acquire sophisticated content knowledge, higher-order thinking abilities, and problem- solving skills, thus implementing the standards in school classrooms.
All projects supported by the Instructional Materials Development Program are expected to be designed for the success of all students, regardless of background or ability. They should promote students to have more positive attitudes toward science, mathematics, and technology, as well as more positive perceptions of themselves as learners. By incorporating investigative, hands-on science and mathematics, they should facilitate changes in the basic delivery of classroom instruction. Although some projects may be envisioned as demonstration models, the majority of funded projects are expected to contain comprehensive plans for dissemination so that upon completion, materials will be poised for utilization by teachers and students across the Nation.
Eligibility
Any organization with a scientific or educational mission
may submit a proposal. These include colleges and universities,
state and local education agencies, professional societies, museums,
research laboratories, print or electronic media producers, private
foundations and industries, publishers, and other public and private
organizations, whether for profit or nonprofit. The Foundation
especially welcomes proposals that involve the collaboration of
individuals or organizations from more than one of these areas.
Deadlines
The target date for receipt of proposals is August 15. Required
preliminary proposals may be submitted at any time prior to May
1. A written response to the preliminary proposal must be received
from the program staff before a formal proposal will be considered.
For More Information
For further information, contact the Instructional Materials
Development Program, Directorate for Education and Human Resources,
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington,
Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1614.
Projects supported by the Informal Science Education Program are designed to provide rich and stimulating environments outside of school where individuals of all ages, interests, and backgrounds can increase their appreciation and understanding of science and mathematics and their applications. These projects involve, but are not limited to, broadcast, film, and print media; science and natural history museums; science and technology centers; aquaria; nature centers; botanical gardens; arboreta; zoological parks; science clubs; and other community-centered activities. Generally, projects are designed to reach large audiences and to have the potential for significant regional or national impact. All aspects of the program are intended to stimulate and maintain self-confident interest in science, mathematics, and technology.
The program is particularly interested in collaborative projects that establish linkages between organizations that have similar goals. By so doing, partners are able to combine their resources and expertise to develop a single project that offers greater potential for having an impact on target audiences.
Eligibility
Any organization with a scientific or educational mission
may submit a proposal. These include colleges and universities,
state and local education agencies, professional societies, museums,
research laboratories, print or electronic media producers, private
foundations and industries, publishers, and other public and private
organizations, whether for profit or nonprofit. The Foundation
especially welcomes proposals that involve the collaboration of
individuals or organizations from more than one of these areas.
Deadlines
Target dates for receipt of proposals are June 1 and November
15. Required preliminary proposals may be submitted at any time
prior to March 1 and August 15 respectively. A written response
to the preliminary proposal must be received from the program
staff before a formal proposal will be considered.
For More Information
For further information, contact the Informal Science Education
Program, Directorate for Education and Human Resources, National
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia
22230, (703) 306-1615.
This program provides national recognition to outstanding elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers. Each year, two mathematics teachers (one elementary school and one middle/junior/senior high school) and two science teachers (one elementary school and one middle/junior/senior high school) from each state and each of the four jurisdictions listed below are selected for the honor.
The program seeks to enhance the status and visibility of the teaching profession by identifying and rewarding exemplary teachers. Awardees are brought to Washington, D.C., for a week of activities and professional interaction. The continuation of this interaction is encouraged and opportunities for individual and collective leadership are facilitated through the Council of Presidential Awardees in Mathematics and the Association of Presidential Awardees in Science Teaching. Each award is accompanied by an NSF grant for $7,500 to be used at the teacher's discretion to improve science and/or mathematics education at the awardee's home institution.
Eligibility
Eligible teachers include those whose primary responsibility
is classroom teaching of science or mathematics in a public or
private, elementary, middle/junior, or senior high school in any
of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Department
of Defense Dependent Schools, or the U.S. Territories (Guam, American
Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas, and the Virgin Islands).
A minimum of five years of teaching experience is required. Teachers
can be nominated by colleagues, administrators, students, or parents
of students.
Deadline
The deadline for nomination within each state is usually mid-March.
Twelve state/jurisdiction finalists are forwarded to a national
selection committee that selects the four Presidential Awardees.
For More Information
For further information, contact the Presidential Awards for
Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching Program, Directorate
for Education and Human Resources, National Science Foundation,
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1613.
The Young Scholars Program is designed to excite students entering grades 7 through 12 about science, mathematics, and technology and to encourage them to investigate and pursue careers in these fields. The program strongly emphasizes student participation in the process of scientific discovery through interaction with practicing scientists in the laboratory and in the field. Projects offer a combination of instruction and problem-solving activities along with discussions of career preparation and science ethics. The projects focus on a variety of disciplines including mathematics, computer science, engineering, chemistry, life science, physics, and earth science.
In recent years, the program has supported over 140 projects each year, involving more than 6,000 students annually at sites throughout the United States, including university and college campuses, research vessels, archaeological digs, museums, zoological gardens, and national parks. All summer projects have follow-up activities during the academic year. Many of these follow-up activities involve parents and other students and teachers in the home schools.
Eligibility
Proposals may be submitted by colleges or universities, their
associations or consortia, scientific or professional societies
whose members are primarily university faculty or researchers,
and for-profit industries or other organizations that are engaged
in significant advanced research efforts and have experience interacting
with students.
Deadline
The next application deadline is December 15, 1996. A program
description and guidelines for applications are contained in the
Young Scholars Program Announcement (NSF 93-40). All new applicants
are required to submit preliminary proposals at least two months
before the application deadline.
For More Information
For further information, contact the Young Scholars Program,
Directorate for Education and Human Resources, National Science
Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230,
(703) 306-1616.
The Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) serves as the focal point for NSF's agency-wide effort in undergraduate education. DUE's programs and leadership efforts aim to strengthen and ensure the vitality of undergraduate education in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology for all students, including:
Programs within the division enhance the quality of instruction in the diverse institutions of higher education, that is, two-year and four- year colleges, and universities. Particular emphasis is placed on improving access for all segments of U.S. society including populations underrepresented in science, mathematics, and engineering studies and in technical and teaching careers.
DUE supports both curriculum and faculty development through projects and leadership activities. Curriculum development programs involve faculty in the creative and continuing renewal of undergraduate courses, curricula, and laboratories. The term "curriculum" is defined broadly to include the modes and context of teaching and learning, as well as the content of instruction. Faculty development programs address the preparation of future faculty, including future teachers and other mathematics, science, and technology specialists and educators at all levels, as well as the revitalization of current faculty who teach undergraduates. Faculty members who vigorously combine teaching with scholarship are essential to quality education in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology at any level and in any institution.
The programs described below are expected to encompass most of the activities supported by the division; however, additional ideas and mechanisms will be considered by DUE staff at any time.
For fiscal year 1995, the following areas are receiving special attention: technological education, teacher preparation, and systemic curriculum initiatives in chemistry and mathematics.
The goal of this program is major improvement in undergraduate education through new or improved courses, curricula, and delivery systems and nationally disseminated products. The NSF's role is to encourage and support the intellectual effort necessary to restructure courses and curricula in light of current needs, new technologies, improved teaching methods, and new knowledge within and across disciplines. Activities within this program include the following.
Eligibility
Proposals will be accepted for this and other curriculum development
programs listed below from any organization or consortium with
a scientific or educational mission.
Deadline
The closing date for submission of proposals for Course and
Curriculum Projects, for planning grants, and for proposals to
the Chemistry and Mathematical Sciences Initiatives is June 5,
1995.
For More Information
The program announcement titled Undergraduate Education (NSF
93-164), and its fiscal year 1995 sequel, contains guidelines
for proposal preparation. For further information on this and
other curriculum development programs, contact the Undergraduate
Course and Curriculum Development Program, Division of Undergraduate
Education, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard,
Arlington, Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1666.
Deadline
The closing date for proposals is March 15, 1995.
For More Information
Program guidelines may be obtained from the National Endowment
for the Humanities, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 302,
Washington, D.C. 20506, (202) 606-8380.
This program supports projects designed to generate new and improved approaches to laboratory and field-based instruction. It consists of two components: the Instrumentation component, which, by providing matching funds, makes it possible to purchase equipment needed to make improvements in undergraduate laboratories at any level; and the Leadership in Laboratory Development component, which provides necessary resources (including time), technical support, and travel for projects that have the promise of being national models for laboratory instruction.
Eligibility
Faculty from all science, mathematics, and engineering departments
at any college or university in the United States or its territories
are eligible to compete for these grants.
Deadline
The closing date for submission of proposals is November 14,
1994
For More Information
The program announcement titled Undergraduate Education (NSF
93-164) contains guidelines for proposal preparation. For further
information, contact the Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement
Program, Division of Undergraduate Education, National Science
Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230,
(703) 306-1667.
The Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Informal Education (ESIE), along with the Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE), supports projects that strengthen science and mathematics preparation of technicians who are being educated for the high performance workplace of advanced technologies. ESIE supports exemplary projects in Advanced Technological Education (ATE) that have strong secondary school components or foci. Activities supported in ATE target curriculum and instructional materials development, teacher enhancement, and students.
For More Information
For further information regarding secondary level projects,
contact the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program, National
Science Foundation, DUE/EHR -- Room 885, 4201 Wilson Boulevard,
Arlington, Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1670.
This program provides comprehensive change in the undergraduate education of future teachers by supporting cooperative, multiyear efforts to increase substantially the quality and number of teachers well-prepared in science and mathematics, especially members of underrepresented groups. Collaboratives feature creative design of courses and curricula in mathematics and science for both content and method of teaching, incorporating innovative approaches such as integration of mathematics, the sciences, and engineering; use of advanced technologies; applications to engineering and technology; and new methods of student assessment appropriate to the teaching methodologies. Collaboratives derive from the leadership and participation of faculty members in science, mathematics, and engineering departments, in concert with colleagues in education departments, and in the pre-K through grade 12 community. Proposals for teacher preparation smaller in scale than a collaborative are welcome in the other programs in the Division of Undergraduate Education.
Eligibility
A collaborative will typically involve a consortium of partners
both within and outside the primary institution. Partners may
include comprehensive and research universities, two- and four-year
colleges, schools and/or school districts, community organizations,
and the private sector. Partnerships should reflect existing or
desirable, natural, and regional relationships.
Deadlines
Preproposals for a collaborative must be received by March
1, 1995; formal proposals by June 22, 1995.
For More Information
The program announcement titled Undergraduate Education (NSF
93-164), and its fiscal year 1995 sequel, contain guidelines for
preproposal and proposal preparation. For further information,
contact the NSF Collaboratives for Excellence in Teacher Preparation
Program, Division of Undergraduate Education, National Science
Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230,
(703) 306-1669.
This program supports activities that help faculty members who are primarily engaged in the instruction of undergraduates to gain experience with recent advances in their fields, with new experimental techniques, and with ways of incorporating these into undergraduate instruction. Projects are regional or national in scope and typically consist of hands-on short courses or workshops, along with follow-up activities that encourage sustained interaction among participants. A major component of the program is regional coalitions between two- and four-year institutions. The program is a vehicle for dissemination and adaptation of model courses and materials developed under DUE's programs in curriculum and laboratory improvement. Enhancement activities for faculty members who teach in advanced technological education programs and those who teach mathematics and science to future teachers are especially encouraged.
Eligibility
Proposals will be accepted from any organization with the
scientific expertise and facilities to conduct the described activities.
The subject matter of the faculty enhancement activity may be
drawn from any field of science, engineering, and mathematics
normally supported by NSF.
Deadline
The closing date for submission of proposals is May 1, 1995.
For More Information
The program announcement titled Undergraduate Education (NSF
93-164), and its fiscal year 1995 sequel, contain guidelines for
proposal preparation. For further information, contact the Undergraduate
Faculty Enhancement Program, Division of Undergraduate Education,
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington,
Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1669.
The programs in the GERD Division promote the early career development of scientists and engineers by offering support at two critical junctures of their careers.
This approach is designed to meet two goals:
In addition to the programs listed below, this division also manages the Presidential Faculty Fellows (PFF). The PFF award provides support to some of the Nation's most promising and outstanding young science and engineering faculty members and is described in the Chapter "Other Research Activities." The division supports projects through the following programs.
Graduate and Minority Graduate Fellowships promote the future strength of the Nation's scientific and technological base and reinforce the diversity of that base. NSF Graduate Fellowships offer recognition and three years of support for advanced study to approximately 1,000 outstanding graduate students in all fields of science, mathematics, and engineering. Of these, approximately 150 awards will be made in the Minority Graduate competition and approximately 850 in the Graduate competition. Approximately 90 awards will be in the Women in Engineering and Computer and Information Science components. For fiscal year 1995 awards, the stipend for each fellow is $14,400 for a 12-month tenure; an annual cost-of- education allowance of $8,600 is made available to the awardee's institution for each year of tenure in lieu of tuition and fees.
Eligibility
To be eligible for these nationwide merit competitions, candidates
must be citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United
States and at or near the beginning of their graduate study. Competition
in the Minority Graduate component is open only to those individuals
otherwise eligible who are Native American (American Indian or
Alaska Native), Black, Native Pacific Islander (Polynesian or
Micronesian), and Hispanic.
Deadline
The deadline for applying is November 4, 1994. NSF will notify
all applicants as to the outcome of their applications in mid-March
1995.
For More Information
A detailed program description and guidelines for application
will be published in the Graduate and Minority Graduate Research
Fellowship Announcement (NSF 94-112) in September. For 1995 applications,
contact the Oak Ridge Associated Universities, NSF Graduate Research
Fellowship Program, P.O. Box 3010, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-3010.
The Graduate Research Traineeships Program is designed to increase the numbers of talented American undergraduates enrolling in doctoral programs in critical and emerging areas of science and engineering. Graduate student support is provided to high-quality doctoral- granting departments in the form of traineeship positions. The colleges and universities receiving awards are responsible for the selection and retention of trainees and for traineeship administration.
For More Information
Plans for fiscal year 1995 are currently in preparation. For
further information, contact the Graduate Research Traineeships
Program, Directorate for Education and Human Resources, National
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia
22230, (703) 306-1696.
At the request of the Department of State, NSF administers a program of NATO Postdoctoral Fellowships to promote a closer collaboration among the scientists of member and cooperating nations. Approximately 50 awards are made each year to outstanding young scientists or engineers to enable them to study and conduct research in other NATO or NATO-defined cooperation countries. Eligible NATO cooperation countries are Albania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and the 15 republics of the former Soviet Union.
Eligibility
U.S. citizens who have received their doctorates within the
past five years or who will have done so by the start of their
tenure may apply for NSF-NATO Postdoctoral Fellowships. The program
provides a monthly stipend of $2,750, plus dependency and travel
allowances, for tenures of 6 to 12 months.
Deadlines
The application deadline for 1995 awards is December 1, 1994.
The guidelines for 1995 applications should be available in October
of 1994.
In 1995, the NSF-NATO Postdoctoral Fellowships may include an Outreach to Eastern Europe component that will support short-term, travel-related activities to promote interactions among scientists, engineers, and educators in the United States and Eastern Europe. Terms and conditions would differ from the above activity.
For More Information
For further information regarding NSF-NATO Postdoctoral Fellowships
and Eastern Europe Outreach, contact the NSF-NATO Postdoctoral
Fellowships Program, Directorate for Education and Human Resources,
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington,
Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1696.
The Foundation awards travel grants of $1,000 each to enable young U.S. scientists to attend select NATO Advanced Study Institutes (ASI) held predominantly in the NATO-member countries of Europe. These two- to three-week instructional courses conducted by notable scientists and engineers are scheduled throughout the year; the majority are held during the summer.
Eligibility
The director of a NATO Advanced Study Institute may nominate
U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents who are graduate
students or have received a Ph.D. within the past three years
and have been accepted at a NATO institute. Lists of institutes
appear in the final January editions of Nature, New Scientist,
Science, and La Recherche.
For More Information
For further information, contact the ASI Travel Awards Program,
Directorate for Education and Human Resources - Room 907, National
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia
22230, (703) 306-1694.
The Faculty Awards for Women (FAW) Program recognizes some of the Nation's most outstanding women scientists and engineers in research and teaching careers. No new awards are anticipated.
The Visiting Professorships for Women (VPW) Program provides support to experienced women scientists and engineers who serve as visiting faculty members at host institutions. It enables a woman investigator to do research at an academic institution of her choice. In addition to research and teaching/lecturing, the visiting professor must undertake counseling and other interactive activities to help increase the visibility of women scientists in the academic environment of the institution, as well as to provide encouragement for other women to pursue careers in science and engineering.
Eligibility
Women who hold a doctorate or have equivalent experience in
a field of research supported by NSF, who have independent research
experience, and who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent
residents are eligible.
Award Duration
The award period may be from 6 months up to 15 months. VPW
activities may be undertaken in segments or continuously, but
each segment must be at least two months in length.
Deadline
Proposals must be postmarked by October 15.
For More Information
For further information, contact the Visiting Professorships
for Women Program, Directorate for Education and Human Resources,
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington,
Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1697.
The programs of the Division of Human Resource Development (HRD) reflect the Foundation's commitment to developing the resources of the scientific and technical community as a whole. This division has primary responsibility for broadening participation of underrepresented groups in science, engineering, and mathematics (SEM). The division operates and coordinates a range of programs that focus on increasing the presence of minorities, women and girls, and persons with disabilities in science and engineering (S&E).
The approach includes:
These activities can be implemented in all NSF- funded disciplines and, except where noted, in all academic institutions and nonprofit organizations.
The division supports these goals through the following programs.
The Foundation considers the improved preparation and advancement of underrepresented minorities in SEM at all educational levels to be of prime importance to the Nation. Consequently, the Foundation has redesigned and enhanced its initiatives aimed at developing minority student talent and at strengthening the capabilities of institutions that serve large numbers of these students at all educational levels. Underrepresented minority groups in S&E include Native Americans (American Indians and Alaska Natives), Blacks, Native Pacific Islanders (Micronesians and Polynesians), and Hispanics.
Current HRD efforts for minority students are focused on two major objectives: (1) student development and (2) strengthening the capabilities of minority institutions. These efforts are described below.
These programs represent a coherent effort to stimulate organizational and institutional change in order to markedly improve the quality of educational opportunities available to minority students and to increase the quality and quantity of these students pursuing degrees in S&E. Overall NSF goals for the decade are (1) to double the current number of minority high school graduates with both interest in and adequate preparation for further studies in S&E; (2) to increase the B.S. degree attainment of minority students in S&E threefold to an annual rate of 50,000; and (3) to increase by sixfold minority student attainment of Ph.D.s in S&E to an annual rate of 2,000.
These programs are grouped under three areas of focus--precollege, undergraduate, and graduate.
Award Size and Duration
Awards are made as three-year continuing grants and range
in size based upon the number of students served and the duration
of the Summer Science Camp. Typical awards serve 50 to 100 students
and range from $50,000 to slightly over $100,000 per year.
Award Size and Duration
Awards provide up to $800,000 a year for each of five years
of support with a possible total of up to $3.4 million.
This is an endeavor to (1) increase the number of minority students who successfully complete baccalaureates in SEM and (2) increase the number of students continuing on for related graduate degrees through scholarships and outreach assistance.
Award Size and Duration
The size of AMP projects will depend on the extent and scope
of activities being undertaken. However, the NSF contribution
to a project will not exceed $1 million per year. Awards will
initially be made for up to five years.
Award Size and Duration
Grants may be awarded for periods of up to five years. Annual
award sizes range from $100,000 to $250,000.
Eligibility
Academic institutions are eligible to apply to all programs
under this initiative. Nonprofit organizations serve as members
of the alliance or partnership.
Deadline
There is an annual deadline date for each minority student
development program. The dates vary by program; fiscal year 1995
deadline dates will be announced in the NSF Bulletin. Detailed
guidelines for proposals are contained in the publication titled
Human Resource Development for Minorities in Science and Engineering
Program Announcement (NSF 92- 111).
For More Information
For further information, contact the Minority Programs, Directorate
for Education and Human Resources, National Science Foundation,
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1640.
The Foundation recognizes that academic institutions with significant minority student enrollments play a vital role in conducting research that contributes to our knowledge base in all disciplines and in educating minority students who go on to careers in S&E. The HRD Division operates two programs designed to strengthen the research and training base at these institutions.
Eligibility
Proposals may be submitted by scientists and engineers who
have full-time appointments at U.S. colleges and universities
with significant minority enrollments (defined as more than 50
percent combined minority enrollment or at least 20 percent of
any single underrepresented minority group). These schools must
also have graduate programs in science or a baccalaureate program
in engineering.
Award Size and Duration
While the proposed amount and duration for requested RIMI
support should be consistent with the nature and complexity of
the proposed activity, proposals may request up to $500,000 per
year for an eligible institution in a given fiscal year. Institutions
may submit several proposals totaling the maximum amount or one
project for the entire sum. Projects may be supported for up to
five years, although initial awards generally will be for a shorter
period.
Deadline
Proposals must be postmarked by December 1 of each year.
Eligibility
Institutions participating in MRCE are those that have at
least a 50 percent enrollment of minority students who are underrepresented
in S&E; graduate programs in NSF-supported fields of science
or a baccalaureate program in engineering; demonstrated strengths
in NSF- related fields, as evidenced by an existing or developing
capacity to offer doctoral degrees in one or more S&E disciplines;
a willingness and capacity to serve as a regional resource center;
and a demonstrated commitment to enrolling and graduating minority
scientists and engineers.
Award Size and Duration
MRCE Implementation Awards provide up to $1 million each year
for an initial award period of five years to implement a comprehensive
research and training improvement plan. Subsequent funding for
additional years may be available if the following criteria are
being met: (1) a sufficient research quality base has been developed;
(2) minority students are attaining S&E degrees; and (3) there
is high potential for continued institutional enhancement in the
MRCE-supported disciplines. However, no institution will receive
more than 10 years of support.
Deadline
The program will not accept new proposals in fiscal year 1995;
currently eight institutions are supported under the program.
For More Information
For further information, contact the Minority Programs, Directorate
for Education and Human Resources, National Science Foundation,
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1640.
Projects addressing the participation of women and girls in science and engineering are particularly encouraged in all programs within the Directorate for Education and Human Resources. Because women are underrepresented in all disciplines, the Division for Human Resource Development supports targeted interventions that are specifically directed at increasing the number of women as full participants in the mainstream of the Nation's scientific and technological expertise.
Eligibility
Eligible institutions and organizations include colleges and
universities; nonprofit, nonacademic groups (e.g., professional
associations, museums, private foundations, and youth-centered
and/or community-based organizations); and state and local governments
(including school districts).
Award Size and Duration
These projects are limited to one year and a maximum funding
level of $100,000; only one proposal may be submitted by an institution/organization
per year.
Deadline
Proposals must be postmarked by January 15.
Eligibility
Consortia of institutions and organizations including colleges
and universities; nonprofit, nonacademic groups (e.g., professional
associations, museums, private foundations, and youth-centered
and/or community-based organizations); and state and local governments
(including school districts).
Brief (maximum five pages) and informal preliminary proposals are required, with the proposers being notified in writing whether they are encouraged to submit formal proposals. A college or university that serves as a lead institution may submit only one proposal per year.
Award Size and Duration
The annual award size will not usually exceed $200,000 per
year; however, much smaller projects will be considered. Although
funding may be for three years, the initial award will be made
for year one, with years two and three contingent upon satisfactory
progress and availability of funds.
Deadlines
Informal preliminary proposals are required and must be postmarked
by May 15. Formal proposals from those encouraged to submit must
be postmarked by September 1, and thereafter.
Eligibility
Eligible institutions and organizations include colleges and
universities; nonprofit, nonacademic groups (e.g., professional
associations, museums, private foundations, and youth-centered
and/or community-based organizations); and state and local governments.
Only one proposal per organization per year will be accepted.
Brief (maximum five pages) and informal proposals are required,
with the proposers being notified in writing whether they are
encouraged to submit formal proposals.
Award Size and Duration
Partial support may be provided for conferences, workshops
and symposia (especially for participant support), publications,
and other activity-related costs.
Deadline
Proposals may be submitted at any time; however, an initial
request should be made at least 12 months in advance of the proposed
activity date.
For More Information
For further information, contact the Programs for Women and
Girls, Directorate for Education and Human Resources, National
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia
22230, (703) 306-1637.
The Activities for Persons with Disabilities Program has recently been expanded and is committed to bringing about needed change in academic and professional climates, to developing new methods of teaching science and mathematics, to increasing the awareness and recognition of the needs and capabilities of students with disabilities, to promoting the accessibility and appropriateness of instructional materials and educational technologies, and to increasing the availability of mentoring resources. In short, efforts are dedicated to changing the factors wherein neglect, paucity, and indirection historically have stifled the early interest in science and mathematics shown by students with disabilities, and that have impeded the advancement of these individuals as they prepare themselves for careers in science, engineering, and mathematics fields.
Though the Foundation encourages persons with disabilities to participate fully in NSF- supported programs, the Human Resource Development Division has initiated efforts focused on (1) eliminating barriers that prevent the participation of students with disabilities in science, engineering, and mathematics studies; (2) changing the attitudes of the education community and the public in general about the potential of persons with disabilities; and (3) offering aid for adaptive technologies and assistance to allow students, scientists, engineers, and mathematicians to participate in NSF-supported research projects.
Eligibility
Universities and colleges that have broad science, mathematics,
and engineering curricula are eligible to apply to this program.
Award Size and Duration
The annual award size will be dependent on the nature and
scope of the proposed project, but it is expected to approach
$500,000 per year. Awards will be made initially for three years.
Funding after the first year will be contingent upon demonstrated
success as defined in the evaluation plan or on demonstrated growth
and institutional support of the program.
Eligibility
Universities and colleges; nonprofit, nonacademic institutions
(including museums, professional associations, private foundations,
and youth-centered and/or community-based organizations); and
state and local government (including school districts) are eligible
to apply to this program.
Award Size and Duration
Support for Model Projects will normally not exceed $100,000
for one year.
Eligibility
Universities and colleges; nonprofit, nonacademic institutions
(including museums, professional associations, private foundations,
and youth-centered and/or community-based organizations); and
state and local governments (including school districts) are eligible
to apply to this program.
Award Size and Duration
Grants will usually not exceed $75,000. Budgets for workshops
may include participant support for transportation, subsistence,
and other conference-related costs.
Eligibility
Individuals with disabilities eligible for this support include
principal investigators and other senior professionals and graduate
and undergraduate students.
Award Size
No maximum amount has been set for requests; however, it is
expected that the cost (including equipment adaptation and installation)
will not be a major portion of the total proposed budget for the
projects.
Deadlines
There is an annual deadline for each program for persons with
disabilities. The dates vary by program. Fiscal year 1995 deadline
dates will be announced in the NSF Bulletin. Detailed guidelines
for proposals are contained in the publication titled Activities
in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics for Persons with Disabilities
Program Announcement (NSF 94-44).
For More Information
For further information, contact the Programs for Persons
with Disabilities, Directorate for Education and Human Resources,
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington,
Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1636.
The Division of Research, Evaluation, and Dissemination (RED) provides conceptual and technical assistance to various EHR programs and education communities outside NSF that enables the process of systemic education reform to evolve. RED programs help bridge research to classroom practice, foster systemic thinking about the coordination and delivery of educational services, and measure change in educational programs by evaluating how EHR programs work. RED supports policy-oriented research in the Studies and Indicators programs; basic and applied research in the Research in Teaching and Learning, the Applications of Advanced Technologies, and the Networking Infrastructure for Education programs; and outcomes and outreach in the Evaluation and Dissemination programs.
The Studies Program sponsors research on significant factors, trends, and practices that will assist the Foundation and other agencies or organizations in developing initiatives to strengthen science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education. Proposals funded under this program are intended to (1) provide information of national relevance on significant problems and opportunities in education that would be useful for policy deliberations regarding the strengthening of such education in the United States and (2) provide information that will assist in setting priorities and plans for the Foundation's science education programs. Proposals are invited for the identification of key issues, for new data collection, and for synthesis, analysis, or re- analysis of existing information.
Current priorities are in five broad policy areas: (1) participation in science, (2) teacher supply and qualification, (3) instructional and school practices, (4) educational reform, and (5) the role of developed science and mathematics knowledge in the workforce.
The Indicators Program develops statistical information about the status of mathematics and science learning in the United States to provide the Nation with an assessment of education in these areas. The studies include developing conceptual frameworks for measuring student knowledge in the United States compared with other nations; measuring differences in mathematics and science curricula; explaining student achievement in relation to family, student, school, and sociocultural factors; and providing new methods of assessing the status of mathematics and science education.
The Indicators Program cooperates with other statistical agencies by using existing national surveys to develop statistical measures and to encourage further development of education indicators. Information on student achievement, classroom coverage of mathematics and science, teacher training, and student background are collected in sample surveys of elementary and secondary students. The studies conducted in the Indicators Program are used in writing reports about undergraduate and graduate mathematics and science education and assist in program planning at NSF.
This program supports basic and applied research designed to expand the knowledge base that will advance the national effort to reform science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education at all levels (pre-K through college). The program encourages proposals on a wide variety of questions that use a variety of research methods and strategies. Among the research areas of concern to the program are the development of children's scientific and mathematical thinking; how students develop complex concepts, especially using new technologies; how technology changes the way students think, learn, and interact in formal and informal educational settings; cognitive, affective, and social factors that affect the science and mathematics achievement of underrepresented groups; the development of teachers' understanding of children's scientific and mathematical thought processes; teachers' beliefs and attitudes about science, mathematics, and technology and their associated pedagogies; the development and validation of instructional strategies that promote scientific and mathematical thinking; and research on teacher change, including the adoption and implementation of innovative teaching and learning practices, and teachers as researchers.
This program is a research and development program concerned with issues at the forefront of technology and seeks to support proposals that focus on new, high-risk, high-gain innovative applications of technologies to advance the learning and teaching of science, mathematics, and engineering at all levels of education. The program has two complementary goals:
The program seeks to support educational and scientific innovations that can significantly improve teaching and learning through the use of technology or will significantly alter what is taught because of the power and need for technology to represent and manipulate concepts and knowledge.
Two NSF Directorates, CISE and EHR, have established a joint program on Networking Infrastructure for Education (NIE) to help develop strategies for using the Networking Information Infrastructure (NII) for education reform and for expanding existing collaborations between the communities represented by both Directorates.
The slow pace of adoption and application of advanced computer and communication technologies to systemic reform and innovation in science and mathematics education is the result of our limited existing knowledge of the balance between cost and benefits of large-scale network implementation and the limited access by curriculum developers, education researchers, and reformers to advanced technologies. The NIE Program will promote the exploration of research, development, and methodology transfer issues involving the use of the NII and related technologies to educational reform, including systemic, organizational, and pedagogical considerations. The program will continue special solicitations to define projects that reflect the joint interests of CISE and EHR programs. Project funding began in fiscal year 1994.
The Evaluation Program has a five-year plan to evaluate the science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education initiatives of NSF. Evaluation findings may be used by the Foundation to improve science education programs by principal investigators as they direct their own education projects and by policymakers, administrators, and members of the instructional workforce who implement and adapt the various products of NSF programs (e.g., materials, computer software, teaching strategies, or research findings). Evaluations and impact studies are performed under competitively awarded contracts by outside organizations. The Evaluation Program also may grant funds for the development of appropriate models and methodology for the general improvement of the field.
This program aims to facilitate the adoption and implementation of best practices and products that have been developed with NSF support. The dissemination process uses diffusion, marketing, and human and electronic networking to reach the appropriate community. Through the use of contracts as well as grants, the Dissemination Program informs potential users about the availability and sources of science, mathematics, and engineering technology information and products and assists in the process of implementation. Awards are often made jointly with other EHR programs. The Dissemination Program supports three major activities:
Eligibility
Public and private colleges and universities and other organizations
and associations with an educational mission may submit proposals.
Deadlines
Preliminary proposals are required and may be submitted at
any time. The target dates for submitting formal proposals for
the Applications of Advanced Technologies Program are January
15 and September 1. Target dates for submitting formal proposals
for the Research in Teaching and Learning Program are February
1 and September 1; for the Studies and Indicators Program, December
1. For other programs, proposals may be submitted at any time,
but semiannual target dates of April 1 and October 1 have been
established.
For More Information
Detailed program descriptions and guidelines for applicants
are available from the Division of Research, Evaluation, and Dissemination,
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington,
Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1650.
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