Opportunity Information: Apply for PD 14 7513
Apply for PD 14 7513
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Improving Undergraduate STEM Education" 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 Nov 8, 2013 and posted on Nov 8, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 4, 2014 Full Proposal Target Date(s) February 04, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity titled Improving Undergraduate STEM Education focuses on strengthening undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education as a direct way to support the United States economy, public health, and long-term competitiveness. The underlying idea is that the country needs more STEM graduates, including future STEM teachers, and it also needs a broader public that is scientifically literate. NSF frames the undergraduate experience as the main lever for reaching both goals, since what happens in introductory courses, labs, majors, and campus learning environments often determines whether students persist in STEM and whether they graduate with the skills needed to contribute in fast-changing fields.
Through NSF's Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE), often working alongside other NSF directorates, this opportunity supports projects that are grounded in evidence and that also generate new evidence. In practical terms, NSF is looking for proposals that either apply research-backed teaching and learning approaches or rigorously study new interventions so the field learns what works, for whom, and under what conditions. The program emphasizes improving STEM learning outcomes and increasing retention in STEM majors, with a strong expectation that projects will be guided by theory, prior research, and credible evaluation methods rather than relying on intuition or anecdotal success.
The scope is intentionally broad to reflect differences across STEM disciplines and institutional contexts. NSF highlights multiple pathways that can be supported, including experiential learning (such as hands-on projects, internships, undergraduate research, and authentic problem solving), discovery-based laboratories and course-based research experiences, improved assessment and metrics of student learning and instructional practice, scholarship-related efforts, foundational education research on how students learn STEM concepts, faculty professional development and broader institutional change, and work that bridges formal and informal learning environments. Applicants can pursue these approaches independently or combine them, as long as the project has a clear rationale and a plan to produce usable knowledge and measurable improvements.
NSF also points applicants to influential national guidance documents that shape the program's priorities. The Presidents Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) report Engage to Excel is cited for its emphasis on empirically validated teaching practices, particularly active learning strategies that increase engagement and improve persistence in STEM. The National Research Council report on discipline-based education research is referenced as a roadmap for building a stronger research base on undergraduate STEM teaching and learning. NSF also notes the Common Guidelines for Education Research and Development, signaling that projects should be designed to contribute to an evidence base with appropriate rigor, whether the work is exploratory, design and development focused, or aimed at scaling and broader implementation.
In addition to supporting projects that address current needs in undergraduate STEM education, NSF explicitly welcomes unsolicited proposals that anticipate new structures and functions in the undergraduate teaching and learning enterprise. This leaves room for forward-looking models such as new curricular pathways, redesigned gateway courses, scalable research experiences, cross-disciplinary programs, or system-level reforms that can be studied and replicated. The solicitation also mentions unsolicited proposals to develop Ideas Labs in biology, engineering, and geosciences. These are collaborative convenings intended to bring together disciplinary experts and education researchers to develop research agendas targeted at discipline-specific workforce development needs, essentially helping communities set coordinated priorities and launch new research directions.
Administrative details in the source record indicate this was a discretionary NSF grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PD 14-7513) within the Education and Human Resources CFDA listing (47.076). Cost sharing was not required, and eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of applicant types could potentially apply as long as they met any clarifications in the full program description. The posting date was November 8, 2013, with a full proposal target date of February 4, 2014, and an archive date of February 10, 2015. While the record shows estimated total funding and expected awards as 0, that appears to reflect how the opportunity was recorded in the provided dataset rather than the broader NSF investment strategy described in the narrative. For access or technical issues, the contact listed is NSF's grants.gov support email (grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov).
FAQs: NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE)
What is the main goal of the NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education opportunity?
The opportunity focuses on strengthening undergraduate STEM education as a direct way to support the United States economy, public health, and long-term competitiveness. NSF frames undergraduate education as a key leverage point for increasing the number of STEM graduates (including future STEM teachers) and improving scientific literacy across the broader public.
Which NSF unit runs this opportunity?
This opportunity is supported through NSF's Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE), and it may involve coordination with other NSF directorates.
What types of projects is NSF looking for under this solicitation?
NSF is looking for projects grounded in evidence and designed to generate new evidence. Proposals may apply research-backed teaching and learning approaches or rigorously study new interventions so the field learns what works, for whom, and under what conditions.
What outcomes does the program emphasize?
The program emphasizes improving STEM learning outcomes and increasing retention in STEM majors. Projects are expected to be guided by theory, prior research, and credible evaluation methods rather than relying on intuition or anecdotal success.
How broad is the scope across disciplines and institutions?
The scope is intentionally broad to reflect differences across STEM disciplines and institutional contexts. NSF highlights multiple pathways that can be pursued independently or combined, as long as there is a clear rationale and a plan to produce usable knowledge and measurable improvements.
What are examples of pathways or activities NSF says can be supported?
Examples include experiential learning (hands-on projects, internships, undergraduate research, authentic problem solving), discovery-based laboratories and course-based research experiences, improved assessment and metrics of student learning and instructional practice, scholarship-related efforts, foundational education research on how students learn STEM concepts, faculty professional development and broader institutional change, and work that bridges formal and informal learning environments.
Is the program limited to applying proven teaching practices, or can it also support research and development?
It can support both. NSF describes interest in proposals that apply empirically supported approaches as well as proposals that develop and study new interventions with appropriate rigor to build the evidence base.
What is NSF's expectation around evidence, theory, and evaluation?
NSF signals a strong expectation that projects will be guided by theory and prior research and will use credible evaluation methods. The emphasis is on producing usable knowledge and measurable improvements, not just reporting positive anecdotes.
What national guidance documents are cited as shaping the program priorities?
The solicitation points to the PCAST report "Engage to Excel" (with emphasis on empirically validated teaching practices and active learning), the National Research Council report on discipline-based education research (as a roadmap for building the research base), and the "Common Guidelines for Education Research and Development" (to signal appropriate rigor across different types of R&D work).
What role does active learning play in this program's framing?
Active learning is highlighted through the PCAST "Engage to Excel" reference, which emphasizes empirically validated teaching practices that increase engagement and improve persistence in STEM.
Does NSF welcome unsolicited proposals under this opportunity?
Yes. NSF explicitly welcomes unsolicited proposals that anticipate new structures and functions in the undergraduate teaching and learning enterprise, leaving room for forward-looking models that can be studied and replicated.
What are examples of forward-looking or "new structure" proposals mentioned?
Examples mentioned include new curricular pathways, redesigned gateway courses, scalable research experiences, cross-disciplinary programs, and system-level reforms, as long as they can be studied and replicated.
What are Ideas Labs, and how do they relate to this solicitation?
The solicitation mentions unsolicited proposals to develop Ideas Labs in biology, engineering, and geosciences. These are collaborative convenings intended to bring together disciplinary experts and education researchers to develop research agendas targeted at discipline-specific workforce development needs.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number listed for this NSF opportunity?
The source record lists Funding Opportunity Number PD 14-7513.
What CFDA listing is associated with this opportunity in the source record?
The record places it within the Education and Human Resources CFDA listing 47.076.
Is cost sharing required?
No. The administrative details in the source record state that cost sharing was not required.
Who is eligible to apply, based on the provided record?
Eligibility was listed as unrestricted in the provided record, meaning a wide range of applicant types could potentially apply, subject to any clarifications in the full program description.
What were the key dates in the source record?
The posting date was November 8, 2013. The full proposal target date was February 4, 2014. The archive date was February 10, 2015.
The record shows estimated total funding and expected awards as 0. What does that mean?
The record shows estimated total funding and expected awards as 0, but the narrative indicates this likely reflects how the opportunity was recorded in the provided dataset rather than NSF's broader investment strategy described in the solicitation overview.
What kinds of learning environments does NSF consider relevant?
NSF frames the undergraduate experience broadly, including introductory courses, laboratories, majors, and campus learning environments. The solicitation also notes work that bridges formal and informal learning environments.
Why does NSF describe undergraduate education as a key lever for national goals?
NSF argues that what happens in undergraduate STEM courses, labs, and learning environments often determines whether students persist in STEM and graduate with the skills needed to contribute in fast-changing fields. Improving undergraduate STEM education is positioned as a pathway to more STEM graduates and a more scientifically literate public.
Where should applicants go for access or technical issues related to the application process?
The contact listed for access or technical issues is NSF's grants.gov support email: grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Science Foundation
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Democracy, Human Rights, and Rule of Law in Europe and Eurasia (Azerbaijan, Moldova and Turkey)
Previous opportunity: Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for PD 14 7513
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PD 14 7513) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| ROSES 2013 Land Cover / Land Use Change Apply for NNH13ZDA001N LCLUC Funding Number: NNH13ZDA001N LCLUC Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cyber enabled Manufacturing Systems for Direct Digital Manufacturing (CeMS DDM) Apply for ONRBAA14 004 Funding Number: ONRBAA14 004 Agency: Office of Naval Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships Apply for 14 509 Funding Number: 14 509 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| CyberCorps(R) Scholarship for Service Apply for 14 510 Funding Number: 14 510 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| NSF/DOE PARTNERSHIP ON ADVANCED FRONTIERS IN RENEWABLE HYDROGEN FUEL PRODUCTION VIA SOLAR WATER SPLITTING TECHNOLOGIES 2014 2016 Apply for 14 511 Funding Number: 14 511 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Professional Research Experience Program (PREP Boulder) Apply for 2014 NIST PREP BOULDER 01 Funding Number: 2014 NIST PREP BOULDER 01 Agency: National Institute of Standards and Technology Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Young Faculty Award (YFA) Apply for DARPA RA 14 07 Funding Number: DARPA RA 14 07 Agency: DARPA Defense Sciences Office Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Spaceflight Research Opportunities in Space Biology Apply for NNH14ZTT001N Funding Number: NNH14ZTT001N Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Nanomanufacturing Apply for PD 14 1788 Funding Number: PD 14 1788 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Climate and Earth System Modeling SciDAC and Climate Variability and Change Apply for DE FOA 0001036 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001036 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy A Joint Research Funding Opportunity Announcement USDA, DOE Apply for DE FOA 0001034 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001034 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Coordinated Monitoring Network Apply for F14AS00034 Funding Number: F14AS00034 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU Apply for G14AS00016 Funding Number: G14AS00016 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Chesapeake Watershed CESU Apply for G14AS00015 Funding Number: G14AS00015 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Californian CESU Apply for G14AS00011 Funding Number: G14AS00011 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, South Florida/Caribbean CESU Apply for G14AS00010 Funding Number: G14AS00010 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecoystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU Apply for G14AS00012 Funding Number: G14AS00012 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU Apply for G14AS00013 Funding Number: G14AS00013 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2013 Atmospheric Composition Campaign Data Analysis and Modeling Apply for NNH13ZDA001N ACCDAM Funding Number: NNH13ZDA001N ACCDAM Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| SBIR/STTR FY 2014 Phase I Release 2 Apply for DE FOA 0001046 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001046 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PD 14 7513", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.