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NSF Informal Science Education (ISE) Grant (Funding Opportunity 11-546) - FAQs

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

The Informal Science Education (ISE) opportunity is a discretionary grant program from the National Science Foundation (NSF) within the Education and Human Resources portfolio (CFDA 47.076). Its purpose is to strengthen and reinvent STEM learning that happens outside traditional classrooms by supporting "anywhere, anytime" lifelong learning experiences.

What is the main goal of the ISE program?

The central goal is to advance informal and free-choice STEM learning by investing in experiences people choose to engage in voluntarily across their lifespan. The program emphasizes innovation and improvement in STEM learning beyond schools through research, development, infrastructure, and capacity-building work.

What types of learning environments does ISE focus on?

ISE focuses on informal settings where STEM learning occurs outside of school, including museums, science centers, zoos and aquariums, libraries, media platforms, community organizations, afterschool and summer programs, public events, and other environments where people engage with STEM in voluntary, self-directed ways.

Does the ISE program support learning across all ages?

Yes. The program is described as supporting lifelong learning experiences, meaning it is oriented toward STEM engagement across the lifespan rather than a single age group or grade band.

What kinds of activities or work does ISE fund?

Based on the description provided, ISE funds a mix of research, development, infrastructure, and capacity-building efforts. Supported work may include generating new knowledge about informal STEM learning, designing and testing new approaches or tools, improving engagement and understanding, and building the field's ability to deliver high-quality experiences at scale.

Is the ISE program primarily research-focused, implementation-focused, or both?

Both. The opportunity explicitly references research and development as well as broader implementation and field capacity-building. The activity category is listed as "Science and Technology and other Research and Development," indicating an expectation that projects will be evidence-driven and contribute to knowledge and practice.

What project types are highlighted in the solicitation?

The solicitation highlights multiple project types, including Research, Pathways, Full Scale Development, and Broad Implementation. A specific constraint is also noted for CRPA proposals (see the PI eligibility FAQ for that case).

Are there any principal investigator (PI) eligibility restrictions?

One specific PI eligibility constraint is stated for CRPA proposals: the PI must already hold an active NSF research award in good standing, or the CRPA proposal must be submitted within 12 months after the final expiration date of that NSF research award. For the other listed project types (Research, Pathways, Full Scale Development, Broad Implementation), no PI limits are stated in the provided summary.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 11-546.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 47.076.

What is the funding instrument for ISE awards?

The funding instrument is a grant.

How many awards did NSF anticipate making under this announcement?

NSF anticipated making about 60 awards under this announcement.

What was the estimated total funding amount for this opportunity?

The estimated total funding amount was $28,000,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is identified in the provided information. This generally means applicants are not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of the award, although projects may still include partner contributions if they choose.

When was this opportunity posted?

The announcement was posted on May 13, 2011.

What was the closing date (deadline) for this opportunity?

The original and current closing date listed is January 11, 2012, with a note indicating applicants should see the full proposal instructions for details.

Where can applicants find the official and complete eligibility rules and proposal requirements?

The listing indicates that prospective applicants should consult the full solicitation text, NSF Publication 11-546, for precise organizational eligibility rules, partnership expectations, and proposal requirements.

How is eligibility described in the summary information provided?

Eligibility is broadly described as "Others," with additional clarification referenced in the full solicitation text. This suggests the complete eligibility definition is contained in NSF Publication 11-546 rather than fully summarized in the brief listing.

What kinds of organizations might be relevant to ISE based on the program description?

The description references informal STEM learning settings such as museums, science centers, zoos and aquariums, libraries, media platforms, community organizations, and afterschool and summer programs, implying that organizations operating in these spaces may be relevant. The exact eligibility criteria are referenced as being in NSF Publication 11-546.

What should applicants do if they have access or technical issues related to applying?

For access or technical issues, the listing points applicants to NSF's Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov. It also notes that additional contact information is available for linking problems.

What does "informal" or "free-choice" STEM learning mean in this context?

In this opportunity, informal or free-choice learning refers to STEM engagement outside traditional classrooms where people participate voluntarily, often through public-facing institutions or community-based experiences, and in ways that can occur "anywhere, anytime" across their lifespan.