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Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program (NSF) - FAQs

1) What is the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program?

The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program is a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity focused on strengthening the K-12 STEM teacher workforce. It aims to draw talented STEM majors and STEM professionals into teaching careers and to increase the supply of well-prepared, highly effective science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teachers in elementary and secondary schools.

2) What is the main goal of this NSF opportunity?

The central purpose is to increase the number of well-prepared, highly effective K-12 STEM teachers, with a strong emphasis on serving high-need local educational agencies where recruiting and retaining qualified STEM teachers is often most difficult.

3) What does NSF mean by "high-need" local educational agencies?

The opportunity emphasizes service in "high-need" local educational agencies, described as places where recruiting and retaining qualified STEM teachers is often most difficult. (Any additional definitions or metrics for "high-need" would typically be clarified in the full solicitation.)

4) What kinds of approaches is NSF looking for in proposals?

NSF signals interest in creative, innovative approaches. Proposals are expected to go beyond routine teacher preparation and present thoughtful strategies for recruitment, preparation, support, and long-term effectiveness of new STEM teachers.

5) How is the opportunity structured?

The opportunity is organized into four main project tracks, plus an additional option for Capacity Building proposals for organizations that are not yet ready to submit a full Track 1, 2, or 3 project.

6) What are the four main tracks?

The four tracks are:

• Track 1: Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarships and Stipends
• Track 2: NSF Teaching Fellowships
• Track 3: NSF Master Teaching Fellowships
• Track 4: Noyce Research Track

7) What is Track 1 (Teacher Scholarships and Stipends)?

Track 1 focuses on providing scholarships and stipends that help STEM majors or STEM professionals earn the preparation needed to become K-12 STEM teachers.

8) What is Track 2 (NSF Teaching Fellowships)?

Track 2 supports teaching fellowships, typically aimed at individuals transitioning into teaching or completing certification. It emphasizes building a strong pipeline of STEM teachers into high-need settings.

9) What is Track 3 (NSF Master Teaching Fellowships)?

Track 3 is geared toward developing and supporting accomplished, experienced STEM teachers as teacher leaders. These projects often position fellows to deepen instructional expertise and spread effective practices within and across schools.

10) What is Track 4 (Noyce Research Track)?

Track 4 supports research related to STEM teacher preparation, recruitment, induction, retention, and effectiveness. The intent is to build evidence about what works and why in addressing STEM teacher shortages and improving teacher quality.

11) What is a Capacity Building proposal, and who is it for?

Capacity Building proposals are intended for organizations that are not yet ready to submit a full Track 1, 2, or 3 proposal. They are meant to help develop partnerships, program design, institutional structures, and other groundwork needed to compete successfully in a future competition.

12) Does the program support both individuals and institutions?

Yes. The program supports individuals entering or advancing in STEM teaching through scholarships and fellowships, while also encouraging institutions to build strong, research-informed models for recruiting, preparing, and retaining excellent STEM teachers.

13) What types of activities might be included across Noyce projects?

Based on the program description, projects may include strategies for recruiting STEM candidates, preparing them to teach, supporting them as they enter the profession, and improving their long-term effectiveness and retention, particularly in high-need settings. The specific activities would depend on the selected track.

14) What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling (maximum award size) is $3,250,000.

15) How many awards does NSF anticipate making?

NSF anticipated making about 66 awards under this solicitation.

16) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is 16-559.

17) What is the CFDA number for this program?

This opportunity is listed under CFDA number 47.076.

18) What type of federal grant is this?

It is an NSF discretionary grant in the federal category "Science and Technology and other Research and Development."

19) When was the opportunity posted, and what is the closing date?

The opportunity was originally posted on April 21, 2016. The closing date is September 6, 2016 (and the current closing date matches the original closing date in the provided information).

20) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional clarification normally provided in the full solicitation text. The provided information notes that, in practice, Noyce proposals are commonly submitted by eligible higher education institutions and their partners, often involving collaborations among STEM departments, colleges of education, school districts, and other stakeholders connected to teacher preparation and workforce development.

21) Are partnerships or collaborations expected?

The program is commonly associated with collaborations among higher education institutions, STEM departments, colleges of education, school districts, and other stakeholders. Capacity Building proposals specifically mention developing partnerships and institutional structures as key groundwork.

22) How do I decide which track to apply to?

The tracks are designed to match different target populations and career stages:

• Choose Track 1 if the primary focus is scholarships and stipends to help STEM majors/professionals become K-12 STEM teachers.
• Choose Track 2 if the focus is teaching fellowships for people transitioning into teaching or completing certification, with a pipeline to high-need settings.
• Choose Track 3 if the focus is supporting accomplished, experienced STEM teachers as teacher leaders.
• Choose Track 4 if the focus is research on preparation, recruitment, induction, retention, or effectiveness.
• Consider Capacity Building if your organization is not ready for a full Track 1-3 proposal but needs time and resources to build the foundation for a future submission.

23) Is this program only about preparing new teachers?

No. While Tracks 1 and 2 focus strongly on pathways into teaching, Track 3 focuses on accomplished, experienced STEM teachers as leaders, and Track 4 supports research to strengthen the evidence base around teacher preparation and workforce outcomes.

24) What is the bigger picture purpose of the Noyce program?

Overall, the program is described as a national investment in both people and systems: supporting individuals through scholarships and fellowships and encouraging institutions to develop sustainable, research-informed models that improve recruitment, preparation, retention, and effectiveness of STEM teachers in the schools that need them most.