Opportunity Information: Apply for 26 507
Apply for 26 507
- The U.S. National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Science Foundation Fostering Interdisciplinary Networks to Develop Emergent and Responsive Solutions Foundry" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.076, 47.084.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-03-23.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-27. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation FINDERS FOUNDRY (Fostering Interdisciplinary Networks to Develop Emergent and Responsive Solutions Foundry) grant opportunity is designed to bring together people who do not usually sit at the same table but who all influence what students learn and how they prepare for work: K-12 educators, technologists, and researchers. The core idea is that many of the most stubborn problems in learning and workforce development are experienced first-hand by students, families, and classroom educators, so the program pushes teams to start with those real needs rather than top-down assumptions. NSF is looking for collaborations that can turn those needs into practical, technology-based, evidence-driven solutions that improve learning outcomes and help young people build skills for a digital economy that is increasingly shaped by Artificial Intelligence.
A major emphasis is early exposure to AI in ways that are meaningful and age-appropriate. The program is not just about teaching students to use AI tools, but about building curiosity and foundational understanding so students can participate confidently in an AI-driven world and see pathways into future education and careers. In practice, projects supported under this program could include new instructional approaches, learning experiences, tools, platforms, or other technologies that help schools respond to fast-changing workforce demands, while still being grounded in evidence of what works. Another key thread is co-design: NSF wants solutions built with the people who will actually use them, which typically means ongoing input from students, caregivers, educators, and other community stakeholders, alongside technical and research expertise.
The program is structured in two phases: Planning and Development. Planning awards support teams that are still shaping their concept, building the partnership, and exploring one of the program focus areas (the solicitation notes that teams use Planning to explore and define promising directions). Only teams that receive a Planning grant are eligible to move forward with a Development proposal. Development awards then support the growth, testing, and implementation of the most promising ideas that emerged during Planning, with an expectation that these efforts will move toward scalable practices, tools, or technologies that can be adopted more broadly.
Eligibility to submit proposals is limited to specific organization types based in the United States. Eligible applicants include non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies when they are directly associated with education or research activities; state and local governments; accredited U.S. institutions of higher education (including both two-year and four-year colleges, such as community colleges); and federally recognized Tribal Nations as defined under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act. The solicitation also includes a special note for U.S. universities that have international branch campuses: if project funds would support work at an international branch campus (including via subawards or consultants), the proposal must clearly explain why that location is important and why the work cannot be performed at the U.S. campus.
Team structure is a defining requirement. Each FINDERS FOUNDRY leadership team must include at least one person from each of three stakeholder groups: (1) K-12 educators, (2) technologists, and (3) researchers. One member of that leadership group must serve as the Principal Investigator (PI) and must be affiliated with, and submit through, an eligible organization. Additional Co-PIs, senior personnel, contractors, and consultants are allowed, but unaffiliated individuals cannot apply on their own. Notably, NSF does not impose any degree requirement for the PI; a Ph.D. is not required.
From an administrative perspective, this is an NSF discretionary grant program (Funding Opportunity Number 26-507) under CFDA numbers 47.076 and 47.084. The opportunity was created on March 23, 2026, and the listed closing date is May 27, 2026. The program is also positioned as part of broader national priorities, explicitly aligning with Executive Order 14277, "Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth" (April 23, 2025), and sections of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-167, Sections 10381-10383 and 10395), reinforcing the federal push to strengthen AI education and the future U.S. workforce pipeline through coordinated, cross-sector innovation.
NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY Grant (FON 26-507) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY (Fostering Interdisciplinary Networks to Develop Emergent and Responsive Solutions Foundry) opportunity?
FINDERS FOUNDRY is a National Science Foundation discretionary grant opportunity focused on building collaborations across groups that do not typically design solutions together, especially K-12 educators, technologists, and researchers. The goal is to develop practical, technology-based, evidence-driven solutions that improve learning outcomes and help students build skills for a digital economy increasingly shaped by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
What kinds of problems is the program trying to solve?
The program targets persistent challenges in learning and workforce development, particularly those experienced first-hand by students, families, and classroom educators. A central expectation is that teams begin with real needs from the classroom and community rather than relying on top-down assumptions.
Who does NSF want at the table for this program?
NSF is explicitly seeking teams that bring together three stakeholder groups that all influence what students learn and how they prepare for work: K-12 educators, technologists, and researchers. The program is designed to connect people who do not usually sit at the same table.
Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) a required focus area?
AI is a major emphasis. The opportunity highlights early exposure to AI in ways that are meaningful and age-appropriate, with the intent to build curiosity and foundational understanding so students can participate confidently in an AI-driven world and see pathways into future education and careers.
Is the program just about teaching students to use AI tools?
No. The opportunity emphasizes that projects should go beyond teaching tool usage. The stated aim is to support learning experiences that build foundational understanding and curiosity, helping students engage with an AI-driven world more confidently.
What types of projects could be supported?
Examples described for this program include new instructional approaches, learning experiences, tools, platforms, or other technologies. The common thread is that solutions should be technology-based and evidence-driven, grounded in what works, and responsive to changing workforce demands.
What does "evidence-driven" mean in the context of this opportunity?
Based on the description, NSF is looking for solutions grounded in evidence of what works in learning. Projects are expected to improve learning outcomes and be informed by research and practical experience rather than assumptions.
What is meant by "co-design" in this solicitation?
Co-design refers to building solutions with the people who will actually use them. The opportunity notes that this typically involves ongoing input from students, caregivers, educators, and other community stakeholders, alongside technical and research expertise.
How is the program structured?
The program has two phases: Planning and Development. Planning awards support teams that are shaping their concept, building partnerships, and exploring one of the program focus areas. Development awards support the growth, testing, and implementation of the strongest ideas that emerged from Planning, with an expectation of progress toward scalable practices, tools, or technologies.
Can an organization apply directly for a Development award without first receiving a Planning award?
No. Only teams that receive a Planning grant are eligible to submit a Development proposal.
What is the purpose of a Planning award?
Planning awards support teams that are still defining and refining their concept, building the partnership, and exploring and defining promising directions within the program focus areas.
What is the purpose of a Development award?
Development awards support expanding, testing, and implementing the most promising ideas from the Planning phase, with an expectation that the work moves toward scalable practices, tools, or technologies that can be adopted more broadly.
Who is eligible to submit a proposal?
Eligibility is limited to specific U.S.-based organization types. Eligible applicants include: (1) non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies when directly associated with education or research activities; (2) state and local governments; (3) accredited U.S. institutions of higher education, including two-year and four-year colleges such as community colleges; and (4) federally recognized Tribal Nations as defined under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act.
Can individuals apply on their own (without an eligible organization)?
No. Unaffiliated individuals cannot apply on their own. Proposals must be submitted through an eligible organization.
What is the required team structure for FINDERS FOUNDRY?
Each leadership team must include at least one person from each of three stakeholder groups: (1) K-12 educators, (2) technologists, and (3) researchers. One member of the leadership group must serve as the Principal Investigator (PI) and must be affiliated with, and submit through, an eligible organization.
Does the Principal Investigator (PI) need a Ph.D.?
No. The opportunity states that NSF does not impose any degree requirement for the PI, and a Ph.D. is not required.
Can a team include additional roles beyond the core leadership team?
Yes. The opportunity indicates that additional Co-PIs, senior personnel, contractors, and consultants are allowed, in addition to the required leadership representation across K-12 educators, technologists, and researchers.
Are international branch campuses addressed in this opportunity?
Yes. For U.S. universities with international branch campuses, if project funds would support work at an international branch campus (including via subawards or consultants), the proposal must clearly explain why that location is important and why the work cannot be performed at the U.S. campus.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 26-507.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA numbers 47.076 and 47.084.
When was this opportunity created, and what is the closing date?
The opportunity was created on March 23, 2026. The listed closing date is May 27, 2026.
How does this program align with federal priorities?
The opportunity explicitly aligns with Executive Order 14277, "Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth" (April 23, 2025), and sections of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-167, Sections 10381-10383 and 10395). This framing reinforces a national focus on strengthening AI education and the future U.S. workforce pipeline through cross-sector innovation.
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