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NSF Informal Science Education (ISE) Grant (Funding Opportunity 10-565) - FAQs

What is the NSF Informal Science Education (ISE) grant opportunity?

The NSF Informal Science Education (ISE) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 10-565) is a discretionary grant program that supports science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning in informal settings, meaning learning experiences that happen outside traditional classrooms.

What is the main goal of the ISE program?

The central goal is to strengthen "anywhere, anytime" lifelong STEM learning by investing in ideas and approaches that help people engage with STEM throughout their lives in informal contexts.

What kinds of settings does NSF consider "informal" for this program?

The opportunity describes informal learning contexts that can include museums, science centers, community programs, media experiences, afterschool settings, online platforms, public events, and other non-classroom environments.

What types of activities or work can ISE funding support?

Based on the description provided, ISE funding can cover research, development of learning experiences and resources, creation of infrastructure, and capacity building intended to improve the quality, reach, and effectiveness of informal STEM education.

Is this program focused only on creating new programs, or does it also support research and evaluation?

It is not limited to creating new programs. The program emphasizes innovation and broader field advancement and may support research as well as the development and testing of learning models, along with efforts that evaluate what works and why.

Where does ISE sit within NSF?

ISE sits within NSF's Education and Human Resources portfolio and is identified with CFDA 47.076. It is also described as falling under the broader category of science and technology research and development funding.

How much funding is available and how many awards were expected?

NSF anticipated making about 46 awards under this competition, with an estimated total program funding level of $25,000,000.

What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a grant.

Does this opportunity require cost sharing or matching funds?

No. The opportunity states that cost sharing or matching is not required.

When was the solicitation posted?

The solicitation was posted on May 21, 2010.

What were the deadlines for preliminary and full proposals?

For most proposal types described, preliminary proposals were due July 22, 2010, and full proposals were due December 7, 2010.

Is a preliminary proposal always required?

No. The announcement notes a notable exception for CRPA proposals, which do not require preliminary proposals.

Do all project types follow the same deadline schedule?

No. The announcement indicates that CRPA proposals do not have standard deadlines in the same way as other project tracks, and applicants would need to consult NSF Publication 10-565 for the specific submission rules and timing.

What does CRPA mean in this context?

The excerpt references CRPA as a proposal category with different submission rules, but it does not define the acronym. Applicants are directed to NSF Publication 10-565 for the full description and requirements.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with clarification provided in the solicitation itself. This means the detailed eligibility rules depend on the applicant type and the specific project category, as described in NSF Publication 10-565.

Are there any specific eligibility requirements for certain project types?

Yes. For "Communicating Research to Public Audiences" projects, the Principal Investigator must already hold an active NSF-funded research award in any NSF directorate or program.

What does the PI requirement mean for "Communicating Research to Public Audiences" projects?

It means those communication-focused projects must be tied to current NSF-supported scientific work, since the PI must already have an active NSF-funded research award.

What are the main areas the program is trying to improve?

The program is described as geared toward improving informal STEM learning at multiple levels, including creating and testing new learning models and resources, evaluating effectiveness, strengthening organizational or field capacity, and building infrastructure that enables higher-quality informal education at scale.

What should applicants expect in terms of NSF review emphasis?

Although the excerpt does not list formal criteria, it notes that as an NSF program, applicants should expect a strong emphasis on intellectual merit (what knowledge, theory, design, or evidence the project advances) and broader impacts (who benefits, how participation is broadened, and how outcomes are sustained or shared).

Who is the sponsoring agency for this grant opportunity?

The sponsoring agency is the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Where can applicants find the full requirements and submission instructions?

The announcement points applicants to NSF Publication 10-565 for full requirements, project types, and submission instructions.

Who should I contact for technical issues accessing the announcement through Grants.gov?

For technical issues accessing the announcement through Grants.gov, the listed support contact is grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.