Education and Special Programs | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the NSF "Education and Special Programs" opportunity in Astronomical Sciences?

It is an NSF Astronomical Sciences Division grant opportunity that serves as an administrative home for multiple crosscutting and education-centered funding paths. It is intended to support programs that cut across NSF-wide priorities, cross sub-disciplinary boundaries in astronomy, and/or include strong education and workforce-development components. The goal is to help build the astronomy and astrophysics pipeline, strengthen research and teaching capacity, expand participation, and connect scientific results with students and the public.

2) Is this opportunity focused on a single research topic?

No. It is described as not being limited to one narrow research topic. Instead, it houses multiple crosscutting programs and education-focused mechanisms tied to astronomy and astrophysics.

3) Which NSF division hosts this opportunity?

The opportunity sits within NSF's Astronomical Sciences Division.

4) What kinds of activities does this opportunity support?

Based on the information provided, it supports crosscutting astronomy programs, education and workforce-development efforts, career development at multiple stages, undergraduate research experiences, capacity-building at undergraduate-focused institutions, broadening participation initiatives, public science education/communication internships, and international postdoctoral research development.

5) What career stages are covered by the programs referenced in this opportunity?

The opportunity emphasizes career development across different stages and institution types. Examples mentioned include early-career faculty (CAREER) and postdoctoral researchers (AAPF and MPS DRF), as well as students (REU) and faculty at undergraduate-focused or non-research institutions (RUI and ROA).

6) What is the NSF CAREER program in this context?

The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) program is described as one of NSF's flagship awards for early-career faculty. It supports applicants who integrate outstanding research with equally strong education plans and often emphasizes long-term professional growth as "teacher-scholars."

7) What is the NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship (AAPF)?

The AAPF is described as a distinctive postdoctoral mechanism for astronomers because it intentionally combines a research agenda with a substantive education component. It reflects NSF's interest in scientists who contribute both to discovery and to learning and training efforts.

8) How does this opportunity support undergraduate student research?

It includes Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites and REU Supplements. REU Sites provide organized, structured programs for undergraduates to participate in real research, while REU Supplements add undergraduate researchers onto existing NSF awards.

9) What is an REU Site versus an REU Supplement?

An REU Site is an organized, site-based program that provides structured undergraduate research experiences. An REU Supplement is a mechanism to add undergraduate researchers to an existing NSF-funded award.

10) What is Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI)?

RUI supports research similar in scope to regular NSF research grants, but tailored to strengthen the research capability and scholarly productivity of faculty at predominantly undergraduate institutions.

11) What are Research Opportunity Awards (ROA)?

ROA are described as supplements to existing research awards that enable faculty from non-research institutions to engage directly with active NSF-funded projects, broadening access to research collaborations and infrastructure.

12) How does this opportunity address broadening participation in STEM?

It includes mechanisms such as ADVANCE, Minority Research Planning Grants (MRPG), and Minority Career Advancement Awards (MCAA). Collectively, these are presented as ways to expand participation and strengthen the STEM workforce by investing in equitable pathways and the conditions that help researchers thrive.

13) What is ADVANCE as referenced here?

ADVANCE is included as a set of options aimed at increasing the participation and advancement of women in scientific and engineering careers, typically through institutional transformation, policy improvements, and evidence-based strategies to remove structural barriers.

14) What are Minority Research Planning Grants (MRPG)?

MRPG are intended to help eligible minority investigators develop a competitive research project.

15) What are Minority Career Advancement Awards (MCAA)?

MCAA support eligible minority investigators through one-year enhancement projects meant to boost research capability and productivity.

16) Does this opportunity include public engagement or science communication components?

Yes. The opportunity lists MPS Internships in Public Science Education (MPS IPSE), which aim to bring research results from Mathematical and Physical Sciences disciplines to the public by funding interns and supporting science communication and informal education efforts.

17) What is MPS IPSE (Internships in Public Science Education)?

MPS IPSE is described as supporting internships that translate research results from Mathematical and Physical Sciences into accessible learning experiences for the public, through science communication and informal education efforts.

18) Does this opportunity include international postdoctoral research options?

Yes. It lists the MPS Distinguished International Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (MPS DRF), which support postdoctoral researchers conducting work at leading institutions outside the United States.

19) What is the MPS Distinguished International Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (MPS DRF)?

MPS DRF supports postdoctoral researchers doing research at leading institutions outside the U.S., reinforcing NSF's interest in global research engagement and the professional development benefits of international collaboration.

20) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 47.049 (Mathematical and Physical Sciences).

21) What category is this grant opportunity listed under?

It is described as a discretionary NSF grant program in the "Science and Technology and other Research and Development" category.

22) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The listing indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

23) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are listed as "unrestricted," meaning it is broadly open to many entity types. However, applicants are also expected to follow any program-specific eligibility rules in the full materials for each component (for example, fellowship- or career-stage-specific requirements).

24) Were there fixed proposal due dates?

The original announcement states that proposals were accepted at any time during the year with no fixed due dates, which aligns with it functioning as a suite of crosscutting programs.

25) Is this Grants.gov opportunity currently active?

No. The record indicates the opportunity is archived, with an archive date of September 30, 2013, meaning the specific Grants.gov posting is no longer active.

26) If the posting is archived, where should applicants look for current opportunities and deadlines?

The announcement points applicants to NSF's website for up-to-date solicitations, deadlines, and submission requirements for the individual programs referenced (such as CAREER, REU, RUI, AAPF, ADVANCE, and the MPS fellowships and internship programs). It specifically references the Crosscutting program area and the Astronomical Sciences Division homepage for current guidance.

27) Where can someone get help accessing the announcement electronically?

The announcement references NSF Grants.gov Assistance for help with accessing the announcement electronically.

28) What is the overall purpose or impact of these programs as described?

The opportunity is framed around strengthening the astronomy and astrophysics pipeline, supporting research and teaching capacity, expanding participation, promoting career development, and connecting scientific results with students and the public through education, training, and engagement.