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Transforming STEM Learning (TSL) - FAQs

What is the Transforming STEM Learning (TSL) grant opportunity?

Transforming STEM Learning (TSL) was a National Science Foundation (NSF) discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 10-602) administered through NSF's Education and Human Resources (EHR) directorate, within the Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL). Its purpose was to support research that examines future-oriented STEM learning beyond conventional classroom-only models.

What was the main goal of TSL?

The central goal was to fund research that seriously explores what STEM learning could look like as learning technologies, new types of schools and programs, and stronger connections between school and community learning environments continue to evolve. TSL aimed to generate credible evidence about outcomes and mechanisms, not just descriptions of programs.

What made TSL different from typical NSF education programs?

TSL was designed to pull together ideas, methods, and priorities that usually sit in separate NSF education programs, specifically to support larger, more integrated projects that could not be neatly contained within a single existing program area. NSF indicated proposals should go beyond simply fitting within one DRL program's usual scope.

What kinds of projects did NSF expect under TSL?

TSL supported research projects that looked across learning settings and approaches, including formal and informal learning environments. Projects were expected to integrate strong STEM content, credible learning theory, thoughtful learning-environment design (including technology when relevant), and rigorous evaluation capable of producing evidence others can trust and build on.

Did TSL require interdisciplinary project teams?

Yes. A defining feature was the emphasis on interdisciplinary teams. NSF explicitly called for proposals that bring together STEM subject-matter experts, technology specialists, formal and informal STEM education practitioners, learning sciences researchers, and experts in education research and evaluation.

What were the two main types of research efforts supported by TSL?

The solicitation supported two main types of efforts: (1) research studies testing the effectiveness of existing prototypes of innovative STEM learning environments, and (2) research-driven exploratory development of new, potentially transformative STEM learning models.

What does it mean to "test the effectiveness of existing prototypes" under TSL?

This referred to studies that examine existing innovative STEM learning environments and test outcomes and mechanisms. The solicitation highlighted an expectation for careful research about what works, for whom, under what conditions, and why, rather than purely descriptive reporting.

What are examples of "existing prototypes" mentioned in the solicitation?

Examples included virtual schools, specialized STEM schools, and community-based educational programs that intentionally blend formal schooling with informal resources such as museums, afterschool programs, science centers, libraries, community organizations, and other local learning assets.

What does "exploratory development" mean in the context of TSL?

Exploratory development referred to designing and conducting early-stage development of new STEM learning models intended to be potentially transformative, not merely incremental improvements. Even though exploratory, the work was expected to be research-driven and grounded in theory, with credible plans to study learning processes and outcomes.

Could a project be primarily program implementation?

Based on the solicitation summary, TSL emphasized research-driven development and rigorous study of learning processes and outcomes. Projects were not framed as simple implementation efforts; the expectation was that design and development be grounded in theory and accompanied by credible research and evaluation plans.

What does it mean that TSL proposals were "cross-cutting"?

TSL proposals were described as cross-cutting because they were expected to draw from and connect work typically associated with four core DRL programs: Discovery Research K-12 (DR K-12), Informal Science Education (ISE), Research and Evaluation on Education in Science and Engineering (REESE), and Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST).

Could an applicant submit something that fits entirely within DR K-12, ISE, REESE, or ITEST?

NSF made clear that proposals could not be merely a repackaging of one of those program scopes. To be competitive, a project needed to extend well beyond what any single one of those programs would normally support, reflecting a broader, integrative approach across settings, methods, and disciplinary perspectives.

Which NSF directorate and division ran TSL?

TSL was run through NSF's Education and Human Resources (EHR) directorate, specifically within the Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL).

What was the funding instrument for TSL?

The opportunity used the grant funding instrument.

How was this opportunity categorized administratively?

It was categorized under "Science and Technology and other Research and Development."

How many awards were anticipated and what was the estimated total funding?

NSF anticipated around 15 awards, with an estimated total funding level of $5,000,000.

What was the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The award ceiling was listed as $5,000,000.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. Cost sharing or matching was required for this opportunity.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was described as unrestricted, meaning it was broadly open to applicant types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full solicitation (NSF Publication 10-602).

When was TSL posted and what were the proposal deadlines?

The original posting date was August 20, 2010. Full proposal deadlines were noted as March 11, 2011 and March 9, 2012.

Is this opportunity still open?

No. The opportunity was later archived on July 28, 2014.

Where can applicants find the official solicitation reference?

The solicitation referenced NSF Publication 10-602 (Funding Opportunity Number 10-602).

Where was support routed for accessing the announcement?

Support for accessing the announcement was routed through Grants.gov assistance channels.