NSF 26-507: National Science Foundation Fostering Interdisciplinary Networks to Develop Emergent and Responsive Solutions Foundry (NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY)
Program Solicitation
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- Posted: March 23, 2026
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Program Solicitation NSF 26-507
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U.S. National Science Foundation |
Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitting organization's local time):
May 27, 2026
For Planning Proposals
November 18, 2026
For Development Proposals
Important Information and Revision Notes
For this solicitation, the following definitions apply:
- Minimum Viable Product (MVP) – A basic version of a product that includes just enough features for early users to try it and give feedback for future improvements.
- Pilot Testing – A small-scale study done before full launch to test if the product, process or service works and to improve its design.
- Prototype – A first version or model of a product used to test an idea or process.
- Wireframe – A simple visual layout that shows the basic parts of a process or service to check if the idea is workable.
The proposal must clearly explain how a specific and reachable group of K-12 students will be involved. However, these efforts may not favor or exclude any group, directly or indirectly; projects that only affect narrow groups based on protected characteristics do not align with NSF priorities and will be returned without review.
It is essential, and required, to include K-12 students throughout the development process. This includes idea generation, design, testing and improving the technology.
Interested PIs are strongly encouraged to review NSF priorities as they develop their idea and their plan for implementation.
Proposals must be prepared in accordance with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Use the version of the guide that is in effect on the proposal's due date.
Summary of Program Requirements
General Information
Program Title:
National Science Foundation Fostering Interdisciplinary Networks to Develop Emergent and Responsive Solutions Foundry (NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY)
Synopsis of Program:
The NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY program supports collaboration among K-12 educators, technologists, parents or guardians, and researchers, to develop innovative solutions to persistent challenges in learning and workforce development. These challenges are identified by K-12 students, families, and educators. The program aims to create and scale evidence-based practices, tools, and technologies that improve learning outcomes and prepare students for a digital, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven future.
A key focus is early exposure to AI to build curiosity, understanding, and readiness for future careers. The program encourages partnerships to co-design responsive, technology-based solutions between key sectors – schools, universities, industry, government, and nonprofits – and our nation’s families.
NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY program includes two phases: Planning and Development. Planning proposals help teams explore one of several focus areas. Only teams awarded Planning grants may submit Development proposals, which support the growth and implementation of promising ideas.
The program aligns with national priorities, including the Executive Order 14277, "Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth" (April 23, 2025), and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, Public Law 117-167, Sections 10381-10383 and 10395.
Expanding Participation in STEM, NSF Priorities, and Gold Standard Science
NSF prioritizes cutting-edge discovery science and engineering research, advancing technology and innovation, and creating opportunities for all Americans. NSF has established priorities set forth by Congress, the administration and the NSF director to promote NSF's mission. Proposers should review the list of NSF priorities and are encouraged to align their proposals with them, where appropriate. NSF also expects the highest standards of scientific rigor, integrity and adherence to appropriate tenets of Gold Standard Science in proposals, as appropriate for the field of science and research modality.
Cognizant Program Officer(s):
Please note that the following information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of contact.
- NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY Inbox, telephone: (703) 292-4228, email: findersfoundry@nsf.gov
Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):
- 47.076 --- STEM Education
- 47.084 --- NSF Technology, Innovation and Partnerships
Award Information
Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant
Estimated Number of Awards: 70
- An estimated 50 Planning awards of up to $50,000 each for up to 2 months.
- An estimated 20 Development awards of up to $300,000 each for 1 year.
Anticipated Funding Amount: $8,500,000
Anticipated funding amount is subject to the availability of funds.
Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions
A. Proposal Preparation Instructions
- Letters of Intent: Not required
- Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not required
- Full Proposals:
- For proposals submitted via Research.gov, PAPPG guidelines apply.
- For proposals submitted via Grants.gov, NSF Grants.gov Application Guide guidelines apply.
B. Budgetary Information
- Cost Sharing Requirements:
Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.
- Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:
Not Applicable
- Other Budgetary Limitations:
Other budgetary limitations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
C. Due Dates
- Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitting organization's local time):
May 27, 2026
For Planning Proposals
November 18, 2026
For Development Proposals
Proposal Review Information Criteria
Merit Review Criteria:
National Science Board approved criteria. Additional merit review criteria apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
Award Administration Information
Award Conditions:
Additional award conditions apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
Reporting Requirements:
Standard NSF reporting requirements apply.
I. Introduction
The NSF Fostering Interdisciplinary Networks to Develop Emergent and Responsive Solutions Foundry (NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY) program supports innovation in K-12 education by bringing together educators, technologists, parents or guardians, and researchers to co-design solutions that address real challenges in learning and workforce development. These challenges are identified by K-12 students, families, and educators themselves. The program emphasizes active participation, technical literacy, and early exposure to emerging technologies like AI, helping students prepare for a rapidly evolving digital economy.
This program directly supports NSF's broader goals of advancing U.S. competitiveness through technology, innovation, and workforce development. It aligns with NSF's commitment to building a strong national innovation ecosystem that translates scientific discoveries into practical tools and services with economic and societal impacts. By focusing on interdisciplinary collaboration and community-driven design, the program helps ensure that educational innovations are both relevant and scalable.
The program is led by the NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), which focuses on accelerating key technologies, preparing the workforce for high-quality jobs, and fostering economic growth in all regions of the nation, and the Directorate for STEM Education Research, which focuses, in part, on learning in formal and informal settings. The NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY program is co-funded by philanthropic partners who share a commitment to technology-enabled learning. Together, these partnering organizations aim to empower all Americans to participate in shaping the future of education and innovation driving emerging technologies and the rapidly evolving digital economy.
II. Program Description
The NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY program is designed to invest in the development of innovative, technology-based solutions that improve K-12 STEM learning and workforce development. It brings together educators, technologists, parents or guardians, and researchers to co-design tools and strategies that address real-world challenges identified by K-12 students, families, and educators. The program's purpose is to create scalable, evidence-based innovations that enhance learning outcomes and prepare students for future careers in a globally-competitive STEM workforce. These efforts align with NSF's broader goals of advancing U.S. competitiveness by fostering innovation and strengthening the national workforce.
The program is implemented in two phases: Planning and Development. Planning proposals support early-stage collaboration among interdisciplinary teams. Each team must include at least one K-12 educator, one technologist, one researcher, and at least one parent or guardian of a student that is impacted by the selected challenge and that is not represented in the former three roles. These teams must use the NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY Dashboard to select a challenge track and co-design a wireframe to describe their technological solution. Funded activities may include stakeholder engagement, data collection, pilot testing, and early validation. A successful Planning proposal must outline a clear scope of work, define roles and responsibilities, and include measurable goals and outcomes.
Only teams that receive Planning awards are eligible to submit Development proposals. Based on continuous input from K-12 learners, parents or guardians, and educators, Development proposals focus on building and refining prototypes. Development projects are expected to demonstrate progress through key milestones: wireframe validation, prototype testing, and MVP deployment. Teams will present their innovations at a public showcase that encourages broad adoption.
The NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY program invests in a wide range of research, including design-based implementation research, efficacy studies, and translational research. It encourages connections to other NSF programs such as Translation to Practice (TTP), Pathways to Enable Open-Source Ecosystems (POSE), Innovation Corps (I-Corps™), and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). These programs collectively enable a set of translational pathways that help teams move from concept to widespread use, ensuring that innovations are not only effective but also sustainable and accessible.
The NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY program is particularly interested in projects that incorporate AI in meaningful ways. This focus aligns with the Executive Order on Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth, which calls for the development of AI-driven tools and curricula to improve educational outcomes. Projects that explore AI as both a subject of learning and a tool for instruction are strongly encouraged.
To measure success, NSF expects awardees to define clear performance goals, indicators, and targets. These may include improvements in student engagement, learning outcomes, technical literacy, and access to STEM opportunities. Baseline data should be collected early in the project, with ongoing evaluation to track progress and inform refinement. Teams are also expected to document their processes and share findings to support replication and scaling.
The NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY program is a strategic investment in the future of STEM education. By supporting collaborative, community-driven innovation, it aims to create lasting improvements in how students learn and prepare for the workforce. The program not only advances NSF's mission but also contributes to the public good by ensuring that all learners have the opportunity to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
The program is authorized under the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 U.S.C. §1861 et seq). All recipients must comply with applicable federal regulations, including those related to human subjects research, data management, and accessibility.
III. Award Information
Estimated program budget, number of awards and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.
IV. Eligibility Information
Who May Submit Proposals:
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
- Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the U.S., acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.
- Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities.
- State and Local Governments
- Tribal Nations: An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131.
Who May Serve as PI:
Each NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY leadership team must have at least one member from each of four stakeholder groups: (1) K-12 educators, (2) technologists, (3) researchers, and (4) parents or guardians. One of these individuals must act as the Principal Investigator (PI) through an eligible organization described above. Co-PIs and additional Senior Personnel, (sub)contractors, consultants, etc., are also allowed.
Unaffiliated individuals are not eligible to submit proposals in response to this solicitation.
There are no PI degree requirements (i.e., the PI is not required to hold a Ph.D. nor any other degree).
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1
An organization may submit only one Planning proposal and, if awarded a Planning award, one Development proposal.
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: 1
A PI or co-PI may submit only one Planning proposal and, if awarded a Planning award, one Development proposal.
The receipt of a Planning award does not guarantee a Development award.
The Development proposal should be submitted by a PI, or other member of the leadership team of the Planning award.
V. Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions
A. Proposal Preparation Instructions
Full Proposal Preparation Instructions: Proposers may opt to submit proposals in response to this Program Solicitation via Research.gov or Grants.gov.
You must prepare your proposal according to Chapter II.D.2 of the PAPPG, unless this solicitation specifies different instructions. Always use the version of the PAPPG in effect on your proposal's due date.
- For proposals submitted via Research.gov, PAPPG guidelines apply.
- For proposals submitted via Grants.gov, NSF Grants.gov Application Guide guidelines apply.
In determining which method to utilize in the electronic preparation and submission of the proposal, please note the following:
Collaborative Proposals. All collaborative proposals submitted as separate submissions from multiple organizations must be submitted via Research.gov.PAPPG Chapter II.E.3 provides additional information on collaborative proposals.
Planning Proposals.
Cover Page: Proposal Title: Title should begin with "NSF FF: Planning:"
Project Summary: Overview: Identify the one track from the NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY Dashboard and describe the potential outcome(s) of the proposed solution including the areas of application that are the initial target of the technology.
Project Description [Three (3) pages MAXIMUM].
Team Composition: For the Leadership Team, list team members names, organization, their expertise, and the role they play on the project. At a minimum the leadership team must include at least one (1) K-12 educator, one (1) technologist, one (1) researcher, and one (1) parent or guardian. Provide an overview of the classroom setting.
The NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY proposals involve interdisciplinary teams of K-12 educators, technologists, researchers, and parents and guardians. Proposals should include a brief narrative describing the expertise of personnel and their specific roles, responsibilities, and contributions relative to the proposed effort, including those responsible for the pilot testing of the MVP.
Budgets and Budget Justification. Additional information to help prepare your proposal budget is available here. The total budget MUST not exceed $50,000 for the Planning proposal.
Development proposals.
Cover Page. Proposal Title: Title should begin with "NSF FF: Development:".
Human Subjects Research. NIH provides a Decision Tool to assist investigators in determining whether their project involves non-exempt human subjects research, meets the criteria for exempt human subjects research, or does not involve human subjects research.
All projects involving human subjects must either (1) have approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) before issuance of an NSF award; or (2) must obtain a statement from the IRB indicating research exemption from IRB review; or 3) must obtain a just in time IRB designation and documentation. The institution has three basic options with regard to human subjects review:
- Use the review board of a (usually local) university or research institution, either via consultants to the project, a project subcontract, or directly through its own contacts;
- Establish your own IRB (see Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/irbs-and-assurances.html#registernew.
- Use a commercial provider.
This documentation needs to be completed during due diligence discussions, in accordance with the applicable subsection, as established in section 101(b) of the Common Rule. If certification of exemption is provided after submission of the proposal and before the award is issued, the exemption number corresponding to one or more of the exemption categories also must be included in the documentation provided to NSF.
To avoid delays in award processing, PIs are strongly encouraged to begin obtaining IRB approvals or exemptions for projects involving human subjects as early as possible. Documentation of approval or exemption should be completed during due diligence discussions, in accordance with section 101(b) of the Common Rule. If an exemption is certified after proposal submission but before the award is issued, the corresponding exemption number must be provided to NSF. No awards will be made without appropriate IRB approvals or exemptions.
Project Description [Ten (10) pages MAXIMUM].
Intellectual Merits: The proposal must clearly show how the proposed project addresses ONE track from the NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY Dashboard and has the potential for broad impact.
Research and Development Design. The NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY supports the R&D towards a prototype or MVP of a learning innovation. The R&D plan should clearly articulate the key R&D objectives and critical milestones for the proposed effort alongside a list of personnel responsible for enacting each aspect of the design and development. The R&D design plan should include regular contact points among K-12 educators, K-12 learners, parents or guardians, technologists, and researchers for critical feedback throughout with reported feedback at several milestones: initial wireframe, prototype pilot, and MVP pilot, and expansion and/or scaling.
Development proposals should include both a work plan for creating prototypes of innovations as well as clear indicators of successfully designed innovations towards the design of the MVP. The associated indicators must include at a minimum:
A full description of the intended population for each innovation, including the anticipated total number of students reached, the age range of students who will utilize the innovation, the initial content area of focus for the designed innovation, the unique features of each population and their access to required technology (e.g., broadband) required for the use of the proposed innovation, and clear rationale for the identified population. Proposals should contain:
- Concrete and measurable outcomes for the intended population based on evidence-based quantitative learning gains anticipated as a result of the innovation.
- Clear alignment of the innovation to both the track and the core curricula required by the intended population.
- Specific approaches for measuring quantifiable sets of measures regarding outcomes aligned to each proposed innovation at clearly delineated intervals throughout the project from wireframe development through to the MVP or prototype.
- Clear articulation of go/no-go steps where iteration is required on the design and implementation of the prototyped innovation.
- Plans for and initial measurements of indicators during an initial pilot of the MVP/prototype must be specified.
- Plans about future pathways for the team and their innovation beyond the program to future development and innovation should be provided.
Mechanisms to Assess Success of the Project. Proposal should focus on the development of impactful technological solutions that can improve learning outcomes.
Proposals should clearly describe how the innovation's impact will be measured and assessed for success:
- The intended population [e.g., number of students, age group(s), grade level(s)] for each innovation, content area of focus, and rationale for the population.
- Intended outcomes of each innovation for the population (e.g., learning gains) and sub-populations if there are multiple potential benefits or outcomes of the innovation.
- Clear alignment of the innovation to both the project track as listed on the program landing page within the NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY Dashboard and the core curricula required by the intended population.
- Success indicators for measuring outcomes aligned to each innovation.
- Concrete approaches to measuring each success metric at anticipated intervals.
- Clear articulation of go/no-go steps where iteration is required on the design and implementation of the prototyped innovation.
- Plans for and initial measurements of success metrics during an initial pilot of the prototype and later the MVP.
- Outline of the future pathways for the team and their innovation beyond the program to future development and innovation.
Expertise. The NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY Development proposals involve interdisciplinary teams of K-12 educators, technologists, researchers, and parents and guardians. Proposals should include:
- new researchers and developers (e.g., beginning scholars, postdoctoral associates, graduate students, early career technologists and educators) as part of the project team as a means of building a community of researchers, designers, and developers.
- Parents or guardians to advise on what their students need the most and to help guide proposals toward outcomes that enhance classroom achievement and maintain parental/guardian peace-of-mind and transparency.
- a brief narrative describing the expertise of personnel and their specific roles, responsibilities and contributions relative to the proposed work, including those responsible for the pilot testing of the MVP.
Budgets and Budget Justification.
The total budget MUST not exceed $300,000 for the Development proposal.
Line E. Travel. Travel to the NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY Program Meeting is required for at least one K-12 educator, one technologist, one researcher, and one parent or guardian on the project. This meeting will be held in the Washington, D.C. area for 2-days.
Other Supplementary Documents. Collaboration Plan [3 Pages MAXIMUM].
This plan must describe the structure of the collaborative activities in the project among K-12 educators, technologists, researchers, and parents or guardians, and how these activities will be nurtured, monitored, and sustained for the overall benefit of the project.
B. Budgetary Information
Cost Sharing:
Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.
Other Budgetary Limitations:
NSF will not provide salary support for personnel employed by Federal agencies or Federally Funded Research and Development Centers.
C. Research.gov/Grants.gov Requirements
You can submit proposals in response to this solicitation through Research.gov or Grants.gov, unless otherwise noted.
Information on how to prepare and submit proposals is available on the Submitting Your Proposal page on NSF.gov.
VI. NSF Proposal Processing and Review Procedures
Information on NSF's proposal processing and review procedures is available on the Overview of the NSF Proposal and Award Process page on NSF.gov.
A. Merit Review Principles and Criteria
All NSF proposals are evaluated through use of the two National Science Board-approved merit review criteria:
- Intellectual Merit, which encompasses the potential to advance knowledge.
- Broader Impacts, which encompass the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes.
Information on NSF's merit review principles and process can be found on the How We Make Funding Decisions page on NSF.gov.
Additional Solicitation Specific Review Criteria
- For each innovation, does the project describe the intended population, including the anticipated number of K-12 students reachable by the innovation, geography, content area of focus, and rationale for the proposed population?
- Does the project effectively articulate the intended outcomes of each innovation (e.g., learning gains) for the population and sub-populations if there are multiple potential benefits or outcomes of the innovation?
- To what extent does the project provide clear alignment of the innovation to both the track and the core curricula required by the intended population?
- For each innovation, does the project provide appropriate success indicators for measuring outcomes?
- How effectively does the project detail concrete approaches to measuring each success metric(s) at anticipated intervals?
- To what extent does the project clearly articulate the go/no-go steps where iteration is required on the design and implementation of the prototyped innovation?
- Does the project effectively plan for initial measurements of success metrics during a pilot of the MVP/prototype?
- Does the project provide ideas about future development and innovation pathways for the team and their innovation post- Finders Foundry support?
B. Review and Selection Process
Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation will be reviewed by Ad hoc Review and/or Panel Review.
After a proposal passes an initial compliance check, it will be reviewed by an NSF Program Officer. In most cases, three or more external experts will also review it (either as ad hoc reviewers, panelists or both).
Visit the Overview of the NSF Proposal and Award Process page for more information on the proposal review and selection process.
VII. Award Administration Information
A. Notification of the Award
Notification of an award is made to the submitting organization by an NSF Grants and Agreements Officer.
B. Award Conditions
Information on NSF award conditions can be found on the Award Terms and Conditions page on NSF.gov and Chapter VII of the PAPPG.
Administrative and National Policy Requirements:
Information on administrative and national policy requirements can be found on the National Policy Requirements for Recipients of NSF Awards page on NSF.gov.
Special Award Conditions:
In compliance with the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, Section 10636 (Person or entity of concern prohibition) (42 U.S.C. 19235): No person published on the list under section 1237(b) of the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (Public Law 105-261; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) or entity identified under section 1260H of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (10 U.S.C. 113 note; Public Law 116-283) may receive or participate in any grant, award, program, support, or other activity under the U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships. See here for more details.
C. Reporting Requirements
Unless your award notice says otherwise, NSF requires the principal investigator of every grant to submit annual project reports and a project outcomes report for the general public. For complete reporting requirements, see Chapter VII of the PAPPG.
VIII. Agency Contacts
For questions related to the use of NSF systems contact:
- Research.gov: NSF IT Service Desk at rgov@nsf.gov or 1-800-381-1532. The Service Desk is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday (except for federal holidays).
For questions relating to Grants.gov contact:
- Grants.gov: The Grants.gov Contact Center at support@grants.gov or 1-800-518-4726. (Contact if the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) has not received a confirmation message from Grants.gov within 48 hours of submitting an application.)
For additional solicitation-specific information, please see: NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY Inbox, telephone: (703) 292-4228, email: findersfoundry@nsf.gov
IX. Other Information
For information on NSF directorates, programs and funding opportunities, go to NSF.gov.
About The National Science Foundation
The U.S. National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency created by the "National Science Foundation Act of 1950." More information about NSF can be found on NSF.gov.
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Privacy Act And Public Burden Statements
The information requested on proposal forms and project reports is solicited under the authority of the "National Science Foundation Act of 1950," as amended. More information can be found on the Privacy Act and Public Burden Statements page on NSF.gov.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The OMB control number for this collection is 3145-0023. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 12 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions. Send comments regarding the burden estimate and any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:
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Office of the Director
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