Opportunity Information: Apply for 12 518
Apply for 12 518
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Math and Science Partnership" 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 May 15, 2012 and posted on Dec 9, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 18, 2012 See full solicitation for details. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $55,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $8,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 22 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Organization Limit Proposals may only be submitted by the following Lead institution eligibility for a Targeted Partnership is limited to an institution of higher education or an eligible non profit organization (or consortia of such institutions or organizations). A non profit organization eligible to serve as a lead institution for a Partnership project is defined as a nonprofit research institute, or a nonprofit professional association, with demonstrated experience and effectiveness in mathematics or science education (National Science Foundation Act of 2002, Public Law 107 368). Eligibility for Research, Evaluation and Technical Assistance (RETA) projects, including the STEM Education Resource Collaboratory, is open to all categories of proposers identified in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide.Proposals for research on state plans for STEM education in the RETA research component must include a state or consortium of states. With the exception of a RETA proposal for the STEM Education Resource Collaboratory, any proposal to the MSP Program should be a single submission that includes support for all partners that are requesting funding from NSF. Separately submitted collaborative proposals, as defined in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (Chapter II, Section D.4Collaborative Proposals), are not appropriate and will be returned without review. A RETA proposal for the STEM Education Resource Collaboratory may be submitted as a single proposal or as simultaneous submissions of proposals from different organizations. PI Limit There is no eligibility requirement for the Principal Investigator of a Targeted Partnership proposal. Among the team of the Principal Investigator and co Principal Investigators for such a Partnership, there must be ulliat least one mathematician, engineer, or scientist who is a college/university faculty member with a regular appointment in a disciplinary unit of a Core Partner institution of higher education and with a history of publishing in the discipline (not only education of the discipline), and/liliat least one person who is a representative from a Core Partner K 12 organization. /li/ul
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation's Math and Science Partnership (MSP) program (Funding Opportunity Number 12-518) is a large research and development grant initiative designed to improve K-12 student achievement in STEM, with an original emphasis on mathematics and science and an explicit interest in other NSF-supported STEM fields as well. A central expectation of MSP-funded work is that it will raise achievement for all students while also making measurable progress in reducing persistent achievement gaps among diverse student populations. The program is positioned not only as an implementation vehicle for improving classroom outcomes, but also as a contributor to the broader knowledge base in K-12 STEM education by producing evidence, research findings, and replicable models that can inform the field beyond a single district or partnership.
A defining feature of MSP is its focus on partnerships that combine the strengths of K-12 systems and STEM-rich institutions and organizations. Projects are expected to bring meaningful innovation to STEM education and connect that innovation to a strong educational research agenda, rather than simply scaling existing activities without generating new knowledge. While mathematics and science remain central, the solicitation specifically encourages proposals that incorporate fields gaining traction in K-12 settings, particularly computer science and engineering, signaling an intent to support contemporary STEM learning needs and evolving standards and workforce realities.
The solicitation supports two main levels of Targeted Partnership awards: Implementation and Prototype. Implementation awards are intended for partnerships that are ready to develop and put into practice innovative approaches and strategies, suggesting a more advanced readiness level with clearer plans for deployment, evaluation, and impact. Prototype awards are intended to explore promising, potentially innovative strategies that may be earlier stage, allowing teams to test concepts, develop evidence, and refine approaches before broader rollout. In both cases, projects must be anchored in significant innovation and accompanied by research plans capable of producing credible evidence about what works, for whom, and under what conditions.
Targeted Partnerships must align their work to one of four focal areas identified in the program. The first, Community Enterprise for STEM Learning, emphasizes coordinated community-level approaches that can align schools, higher education, and other partners to strengthen STEM learning ecosystems. The second, Current Issues Related to STEM Content, focuses on challenges and opportunities connected to what is taught and learned in STEM, including content shifts and emerging priorities. The third, Identifying and Cultivating Exceptional Talent, targets strategies to recognize and develop high potential in STEM, often with an eye toward equity in access to advanced opportunities. The fourth, K-12 STEM Teacher Preparation, centers on strengthening the preparation pipeline for STEM educators, which can include content expertise, pedagogical skill, clinical experiences, and supports that improve teacher readiness and effectiveness.
In addition to the partnership awards, the solicitation includes Research, Evaluation and Technical Assistance (RETA) opportunities in three categories. These include research related to sustainability, policies, or state plans for STEM education; technical assistance targeted to evaluators of MSP projects; and a STEM Education Resource Collaboratory, which functions as a field-facing resource intended to strengthen knowledge sharing and the effective use of evidence. A notable eligibility condition applies to RETA proposals focused on research on state plans for STEM education: such proposals must include a state or a consortium of states, reflecting the program's interest in state-level STEM strategy and policy infrastructure.
Funding for this opportunity was substantial for a STEM education program of its time, with an estimated total funding amount of $55,000,000 and an expectation of 22 awards. Individual awards ranged from a floor of $1,200,000 to a ceiling of $8,000,000, and the program did not require cost sharing or matching. The award instrument is a discretionary grant under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category, and it is associated with CFDA number 47.076 (Education and Human Resources).
Eligibility depends on the project type. For Targeted Partnerships, the lead institution must be an institution of higher education or an eligible nonprofit organization, or a consortium of such entities. Eligible nonprofits are defined specifically as nonprofit research institutes or nonprofit professional associations with demonstrated experience and effectiveness in mathematics or science education, consistent with the National Science Foundation Act of 2002. For RETA projects, eligibility is broader and open to all proposer categories allowed under the NSF Grant Proposal Guide, with the state-involvement requirement applying only to the specific RETA topic area focused on state plans.
The solicitation also outlines expectations about proposal submission structure and key personnel composition. With the exception of a RETA proposal for the STEM Education Resource Collaboratory, MSP proposals are expected to be submitted as a single proposal that includes support for all partners requesting NSF funds; separately submitted collaborative proposals (as defined in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide) are not allowed and would be returned without review. There is no special eligibility requirement for the Principal Investigator for a Targeted Partnership, but the leadership team must include, at minimum, a college or university mathematician, engineer, or scientist with a regular disciplinary appointment at a core higher education partner and a publication record in their discipline (not solely in education), as well as a representative from a core partner K-12 organization. This structure reinforces the program's intent to integrate strong STEM disciplinary expertise with authentic K-12 leadership and practical implementation capacity.
Key administrative details in the posted record include a posted date of December 9, 2011, an original closing date of March 5, 2012, and a later listed closing date of December 18, 2012, with an archive date of January 18, 2013. The full program guidance is referenced as NSF Publication 12-518, and general assistance for access issues is directed to NSF's grants.gov support contact (grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF Math and Science Partnership (MSP) Program (FON 12-518)
What is the NSF Math and Science Partnership (MSP) program?
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Math and Science Partnership (MSP) program (Funding Opportunity Number 12-518) is a large research and development grant initiative focused on improving K-12 student achievement in STEM. While the program originated with an emphasis on mathematics and science, it also has explicit interest in other NSF-supported STEM fields.
What is the core goal of MSP-funded projects?
A central expectation is that funded work will raise STEM achievement for all students while also making measurable progress in reducing persistent achievement gaps among diverse student populations.
Is MSP only about implementing programs, or is research required?
MSP is positioned both as an implementation vehicle for improving classroom outcomes and as a contributor to the broader K-12 STEM education knowledge base. Projects are expected to produce evidence, research findings, and replicable models that can inform the field beyond a single district or partnership.
What makes MSP different from a typical K-12 improvement grant?
A defining feature is the focus on partnerships that combine the strengths of K-12 systems and STEM-rich institutions and organizations. Projects are expected to introduce meaningful innovation in STEM education and connect that innovation to a strong educational research agenda, rather than simply scaling existing activities without generating new knowledge.
Which STEM subjects or fields are encouraged under this solicitation?
Mathematics and science remain central, but the solicitation specifically encourages proposals that incorporate other STEM fields gaining traction in K-12 settings, particularly computer science and engineering.
What kinds of awards are available under this opportunity?
The solicitation supports (1) Targeted Partnership awards at two levels (Implementation and Prototype) and (2) Research, Evaluation and Technical Assistance (RETA) opportunities in three categories.
What is a Targeted Partnership award?
Targeted Partnerships are MSP awards built around collaborations that unite K-12 organizations with STEM-rich institutions/organizations. These projects must be anchored in significant innovation and include research plans capable of producing credible evidence about what works, for whom, and under what conditions.
What is the difference between an Implementation award and a Prototype award?
Implementation awards are intended for partnerships that are ready to develop and put into practice innovative approaches and strategies, with clearer plans for deployment, evaluation, and impact. Prototype awards are intended to explore promising, potentially innovative strategies that may be earlier stage, allowing teams to test concepts, develop evidence, and refine approaches before broader rollout.
What focal areas can Targeted Partnerships choose from?
Targeted Partnerships must align their work to one of four focal areas identified in the program: (1) Community Enterprise for STEM Learning, (2) Current Issues Related to STEM Content, (3) Identifying and Cultivating Exceptional Talent, and (4) K-12 STEM Teacher Preparation.
What is the "Community Enterprise for STEM Learning" focal area?
This focal area emphasizes coordinated community-level approaches that align schools, higher education, and other partners to strengthen STEM learning ecosystems.
What is the "Current Issues Related to STEM Content" focal area?
This focal area focuses on challenges and opportunities connected to what is taught and learned in STEM, including content shifts and emerging priorities.
What is the "Identifying and Cultivating Exceptional Talent" focal area?
This focal area targets strategies to recognize and develop high potential in STEM, often with an emphasis on equity in access to advanced opportunities.
What is the "K-12 STEM Teacher Preparation" focal area?
This focal area centers on strengthening the preparation pipeline for STEM educators. It can include content expertise, pedagogical skill, clinical experiences, and supports that improve teacher readiness and effectiveness.
What are RETA opportunities under this solicitation?
RETA stands for Research, Evaluation and Technical Assistance. The solicitation includes RETA opportunities in three categories: (1) research related to sustainability, policies, or state plans for STEM education; (2) technical assistance targeted to evaluators of MSP projects; and (3) a STEM Education Resource Collaboratory intended to strengthen knowledge sharing and the effective use of evidence.
Are there special eligibility conditions for any RETA proposals?
Yes. RETA proposals focused on research on state plans for STEM education must include a state or a consortium of states.
How much total funding is associated with this opportunity?
The estimated total funding amount is $55,000,000, with an expectation of 22 awards.
What is the typical award size for this program?
Individual awards ranged from a minimum of $1,200,000 to a maximum of $8,000,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The program did not require cost sharing or matching.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The award instrument is a discretionary grant under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category.
What CFDA number is associated with this program?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 47.076 (Education and Human Resources).
Who is eligible to be the lead institution for a Targeted Partnership?
For Targeted Partnerships, the lead institution must be an institution of higher education (IHE) or an eligible nonprofit organization, or a consortium of such entities.
What types of nonprofit organizations are eligible to lead a Targeted Partnership?
Eligible nonprofits are defined as nonprofit research institutes or nonprofit professional associations with demonstrated experience and effectiveness in mathematics or science education, consistent with the National Science Foundation Act of 2002.
Who is eligible to apply for RETA projects?
For RETA projects, eligibility is broader and open to all proposer categories allowed under the NSF Grant Proposal Guide, with the state-involvement requirement applying only to the specific RETA topic area focused on state plans.
Are separately submitted collaborative proposals allowed?
With the exception of a RETA proposal for the STEM Education Resource Collaboratory, proposals are expected to be submitted as a single proposal that includes support for all partners requesting NSF funds. Separately submitted collaborative proposals (as defined in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide) are not allowed and would be returned without review.
Are there special requirements for the Principal Investigator (PI) for a Targeted Partnership?
There is no special eligibility requirement for the PI specifically. However, the leadership team must include key roles described in the solicitation.
What required roles or expertise must be included on the leadership team for a Targeted Partnership?
The leadership team must include, at minimum: (1) a college or university mathematician, engineer, or scientist with a regular disciplinary appointment at a core higher education partner and a publication record in their discipline (not solely in education), and (2) a representative from a core partner K-12 organization.
Why does MSP emphasize both STEM disciplinary expertise and K-12 leadership?
The required leadership composition reinforces the program's intent to integrate strong STEM disciplinary expertise with authentic K-12 leadership and practical implementation capacity.
What is the funding opportunity number and NSF publication referenced?
The funding opportunity number is 12-518, and the full program guidance is referenced as NSF Publication 12-518.
What were the key dates listed for this opportunity?
The posted date was December 9, 2011. The original closing date was March 5, 2012. A later listed closing date was December 18, 2012. The archive date was January 18, 2013.
Where can applicants get help with access issues related to submitting through grants.gov?
General assistance for access issues is directed to NSF's grants.gov support contact at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
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