Opportunity Information: Apply for 12 560
Apply for 12 560
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing Informal STEM Learning" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.076 Education and Human Resources.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 22, 2012 and posted on May 22, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 14, 2013 Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s) (optional) August 14, 2012 We strongly suggest that PIs new to the field and PIs with new concepts submit preliminary proposals. Full Proposal Deadline(s) January 14, 2013 Due by 5 p.m. proposers local time. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $20,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 34 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) funding opportunity titled "Advancing Informal STEM Learning" (Funding Opportunity Number 12-560) is a discretionary grant program focused on strengthening science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning that happens outside of traditional classrooms. The core aim of the program is to support research and development efforts that lead to innovative, field-advancing approaches for out-of-school STEM learning, as well as for emerging STEM learning environments. In practice, this includes initiatives that help people learn STEM in places and contexts such as museums, science centers, libraries, media and digital platforms, afterschool programs, community organizations, and other informal or nontraditional settings where learning can occur through exploration, participation, and real-world engagement.
NSF anticipated making around 34 awards through this opportunity, supported by an estimated total funding level of $20,000,000. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the activity category is listed under "Science and Technology and other Research and Development," reflecting the program's emphasis on generating new knowledge about learning and building new models, tools, experiences, or environments that can meaningfully improve STEM engagement and outcomes. The program is associated with CFDA number 47.076 under NSF's Education and Human Resources portfolio, indicating that it sits within NSF's broader education and workforce development mission.
Eligibility for applicants was described as unrestricted, meaning it was generally open to any type of entity, subject to any specific limitations or clarifications contained in the full solicitation text. Notably, there was no cost sharing or matching requirement, which can lower the barrier to participation for organizations that may not have access to large pools of unrestricted funds. This structure often makes the opportunity attractive to a wide range of potential proposers, including universities, nonprofit organizations, informal education institutions, school districts partnering with community organizations, and other entities working at the intersection of STEM and public learning.
The opportunity was posted on May 22, 2012, and it set up a two-stage proposal pathway that included an optional preliminary proposal deadline of August 14, 2012. NSF strongly suggested preliminary proposals particularly for principal investigators (PIs) who were new to the informal STEM learning field or who were bringing forward new concepts. This early step can be important because it gives applicants a chance to test the fit of an idea with the program's priorities and receive feedback before investing in a full submission. The full proposal deadline was January 14, 2013, due by 5 p.m. local time for the proposer, and the opportunity closed and was later archived on February 14, 2013.
For support, NSF directed applicants who had trouble accessing the announcement to Grants.gov support (grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov), and pointed to the full solicitation as "NSF Publication 12-560" for complete details. Overall, this program is positioned as a major NSF investment in advancing both the practice and the research base of informal STEM learning, emphasizing not just delivering STEM experiences, but improving the field itself by developing and studying new approaches that can be adopted, adapted, and scaled across diverse learning environments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) - Funding Opportunity 12-560
What is the name of this NSF funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Advancing Informal STEM Learning" and is identified by Funding Opportunity Number 12-560.
What is the main purpose of the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program?
The program is designed to strengthen STEM learning outside traditional classrooms. Its core aim is to support research and development that leads to innovative, field-advancing approaches for out-of-school STEM learning and for emerging STEM learning environments.
What kinds of STEM learning settings does this program focus on?
This program focuses on informal or nontraditional settings where STEM learning can happen through exploration, participation, and real-world engagement. Examples specifically mentioned include:
- Museums
- Science centers
- Libraries
- Media and digital platforms
- Afterschool programs
- Community organizations
- Other informal or emerging STEM learning environments
What types of projects does AISL support?
AISL supports efforts that advance the field of informal STEM learning, including projects that develop and study new approaches, models, tools, experiences, or environments intended to improve STEM engagement and outcomes beyond school-based classrooms.
Is this opportunity focused on research, development, or both?
Both. The opportunity emphasizes research and development, reflecting an intent to generate new knowledge about informal learning while also building and testing new learning models, tools, experiences, or environments.
What is the estimated total funding amount for this opportunity?
NSF estimated a total funding level of $20,000,000 for this opportunity.
How many awards did NSF anticipate making under this program?
NSF anticipated making approximately 34 awards.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is listed as "Science and Technology and other Research and Development", which aligns with the program's focus on building evidence and creating field-advancing informal STEM learning approaches.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 47.076 under NSF's Education and Human Resources portfolio.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility was described as unrestricted, meaning it was generally open to any type of entity, subject to any specific limitations or clarifications in the full solicitation.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity specified no cost sharing or matching requirement.
When was this funding opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on May 22, 2012.
Was there a preliminary proposal stage?
Yes. The opportunity included a two-stage pathway with an optional preliminary proposal step.
When was the optional preliminary proposal due?
The optional preliminary proposal deadline was August 14, 2012.
Who did NSF strongly encourage to submit a preliminary proposal?
NSF strongly suggested preliminary proposals for:
- Principal investigators (PIs) who were new to the informal STEM learning field
- PIs proposing new concepts
Why might an applicant choose to submit a preliminary proposal?
The preliminary proposal step can help applicants test whether their idea fits the program's priorities and potentially receive feedback before spending the time and resources needed for a full proposal.
When was the full proposal due?
The full proposal deadline was January 14, 2013, due by 5 p.m. local time for the proposer.
When did the opportunity close?
The opportunity closed and was later archived on February 14, 2013.
Where can applicants find the complete solicitation details?
The full solicitation is referenced as NSF Publication 12-560 and contains complete details, including any specific limitations or clarifications affecting eligibility or submissions.
Who should applicants contact if they have trouble accessing the announcement?
NSF directed applicants with access issues to contact Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
How does this program position itself within NSF's broader mission?
This opportunity sits within NSF's Education and Human Resources portfolio and is described as a major investment in improving both the practice and the research base of informal STEM learning, with an emphasis on approaches that can be adopted, adapted, and scaled across diverse learning environments.
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