Opportunity Information: Apply for 12 597
Apply for 12 597
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers" 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 Aug 14, 2012 and posted on Aug 14, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 13, 2012 Letter of Intent Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m. proposers local time) September 20, 2012 Full Proposal Deadline(s) November 13, 2012. (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.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,150,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 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 Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) grant opportunity (NSF Funding Opportunity Number 12-597) is a National Science Foundation discretionary grant program within the Education and Human Resources directorate (CFDA 47.076). Its core purpose is to support research and development of innovative, evidence-based models that give K-12 students authentic, hands-on experiences designed to strengthen their readiness to participate in the future STEM and information and communications technology (ICT) workforce. Projects funded under ITEST are expected to go beyond traditional classroom exposure by immersing students in realistic, engaging activities and learning environments that reflect how STEM and ICT are practiced in the real world, while also generating knowledge about what works, for whom, and under what conditions.
A central requirement of ITEST is that proposed projects must include students as direct participants; teachers may also be included, but student engagement is non-negotiable. The emphasis on "authentic experiences" signals a focus on learning opportunities that mirror actual STEM/ICT work and problem-solving, such as design challenges, engineering practices, computing and data work, research experiences, industry- or community-connected projects, or other experiential approaches that help students build skills, interest, and awareness of STEM/ICT pathways. Because this is framed as a research and development program, proposals are typically expected to incorporate strong evaluation or research components that can produce credible findings and useful models that can be adapted or scaled.
In terms of funding, NSF anticipated making about 20 awards under this solicitation, with an estimated total program funding level of $20,000,000. Individual awards were expected to range from $300,000 (award floor) to $2,150,000 (award ceiling). There was no cost sharing or matching requirement, which means applicants were not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of the award. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development, aligning with the program's R&D orientation and expectation for measurable contributions to STEM education knowledge and practice.
Eligibility for applicants was listed as unrestricted, meaning it was broadly open to any type of entity, subject to any clarifications that may have appeared in the official solicitation text. Key dates for this archived opportunity included a required Letter of Intent due by 5 p.m. local time on September 20, 2012, and a full proposal deadline of November 13, 2012, with the opportunity posted and created on August 14, 2012 and archived on December 13, 2012. Applicants needing help accessing the announcement were directed to NSF Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov, and additional details were referenced through the NSF publication linked as "NSF Publication 12-597."
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF ITEST (NSF 12-597)
What is the ITEST grant opportunity?
The Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) discretionary grant program (Funding Opportunity Number 12-597) within the Education and Human Resources directorate. It supports research and development (R&D) of innovative, evidence-based models that provide K-12 students with authentic, hands-on experiences that build readiness for future STEM and information and communications technology (ICT) workforce participation.
What is the main purpose of ITEST-funded projects?
The core purpose is to support R&D of models that immerse K-12 students in realistic and engaging STEM/ICT experiences that reflect how STEM and ICT are practiced in the real world, while also generating knowledge about what works, for whom, and under what conditions.
Which NSF area and CFDA listing is associated with this program?
This opportunity is housed within NSF's Education and Human Resources directorate and is associated with CFDA 47.076.
What types of activities does ITEST emphasize?
ITEST emphasizes "authentic experiences" that go beyond traditional classroom exposure. Examples described include design challenges, engineering practices, computing and data work, research experiences, and industry- or community-connected projects, or other experiential approaches that help students build skills, interest, and awareness of STEM/ICT pathways.
Are K-12 students required to participate directly in the project?
Yes. A central requirement is that proposed projects must include students as direct participants. Teacher involvement may also be included, but student engagement is described as non-negotiable.
Are teachers required to be included as participants?
No. Teachers may be included, but the requirement highlighted is direct student participation.
Does this opportunity focus on research, development, or implementation?
It is framed as a research and development program. Proposals are typically expected to include strong evaluation or research components that can produce credible findings and useful models that can be adapted or scaled.
What is meant by "authentic" STEM/ICT experiences in this solicitation?
"Authentic experiences" are described as learning opportunities that mirror actual STEM/ICT work and problem-solving in realistic learning environments. The emphasis is on immersive, hands-on activities connected to real-world STEM and ICT practice.
How many awards did NSF anticipate making under this solicitation?
NSF anticipated making about 20 awards under this solicitation.
What was the estimated total funding level for the program?
The estimated total program funding level was $20,000,000.
What was the expected award size range?
Individual awards were expected to range from $300,000 (award floor) to $2,150,000 (award ceiling).
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The solicitation stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of the award.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the activity category associated with this funding opportunity?
The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development, consistent with the program's R&D orientation.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility for applicants was listed as unrestricted, meaning it was broadly open to any type of entity, subject to any clarifications that may have appeared in the official solicitation text.
What were the key dates for this opportunity?
Key dates included a required Letter of Intent due by 5 p.m. local time on September 20, 2012, and a full proposal deadline of November 13, 2012. The opportunity was posted and created on August 14, 2012 and archived on December 13, 2012.
Was a Letter of Intent required?
Yes. The opportunity listed a required Letter of Intent due by 5 p.m. local time on September 20, 2012.
What time zone applied to the Letter of Intent deadline?
The Letter of Intent deadline was specified as 5 p.m. local time.
Where can applicants find the official solicitation reference?
Additional details were referenced through the NSF publication linked as "NSF Publication 12-597."
Who should be contacted for help accessing the announcement via Grants.gov?
Applicants needing help accessing the announcement were directed to NSF Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
Is this opportunity current or archived?
It is archived. The opportunity was archived on December 13, 2012.
What kinds of project outcomes are implied by the solicitation language?
Beyond delivering student experiences, projects are expected to generate knowledge and credible findings about effective approaches, including what works, for whom, and under what conditions, and to produce models that may be adapted or scaled.
Does the opportunity require projects to connect learning to real-world settings?
The solicitation emphasizes realistic, engaging activities and learning environments that reflect real-world STEM and ICT practice, including possibilities like industry- or community-connected projects.
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