Warmest greetings!

The U.S. National Science Foundation serves the American public as an engine of the nation's research enterprise. NSF's mission is the same today as it was at its founding in 1950: to advance the progress of science, promote the national health, prosperity and welfare and secure the national defense.

NSF will continue to invest in bold research and innovation in the service of the American people. This includes transformational investments in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum information science, biotechnology and translation.

To help keep America at the forefront of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) innovation, NSF is making changes to its merit review processes and to the agency organizational structure. These changes are designed to increase our agency's efficiency and effectiveness by reducing administrative burdens both inside the agency and externally, while maintaining NSF's strong commitment to scientific rigor.

In alignment with agency restructuring, the Directorate for STEM Education (EDU) reorganized from four divisions to two clusters. EDU will continue to support STEM education research and innovation as well as workforce and talent development with a focus on advancing NSF priorities.

In the coming months, EDU plans to post broad funding opportunities that will accept proposals at any time. The new opportunities will provide flexibility for innovative ideas and encourage new and interdisciplinary proposals.

America's STEM innovation ecosystem is built on a remarkably successful partnership among government, academic, industry and nonprofit sectors. EDU researchers provide unique and important contributions both as lead investigators and collaborators in this space. Together, we will continue to foster discoveries, support the next generation of researchers, and deliver innovations that benefit all Americans.

No matter your professional sector or career background, we thank you for your interest in the EDU Directorate and for making STEM excellence a priority.

Sylvia Butterfield, Ed.D.
NSF EDU Directorate Head

James L. Moore III, Ph.D.
NSF EDU Assistant Director

Fall 2025 Highlights

NSF and Micron Foundation invest nearly $38M to provide American workers with opportunities to develop skills in AI, biotechnology and other STEM priority areas

These newest NSF awardees will create opportunities for all Americans to pursue experiential learning, gaining skills to participate in the critical and emerging technologies workforce. The awards also include funding for projects that will engage K-12 students in learning about and developing AI skills.

EDU announces funding opportunities to advance AI education and build the STEM workforce of the future

Two Dear Colleague Letters and EDU's new STEM K-12 program solicitation take decisive steps to expand resources for K-12 AI education, enhance teacher training and harness AI tools and services to improve STEM teaching and learning.

EDU invests $30M in EPSCoR jurisdictions for research and workforce development in energy, semiconductors, nanotechnology and biotechnology

Institutions in Montana, Idaho and Louisiana will establish NSF EPSCoR Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology to expand STEM knowledge, enhance research productivity and attract more students from those regions into STEM fields.

Innovative traineeships prepare the next generation of STEM leaders in AI, quantum, biotech and more

The NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) program invested $45 million to fund awards focusing on AI, quantum, biotechnology and translational science. This investment also marks the first time NSF has made awards through the NRT Institutional Partnership Pilot program.

Credit: Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville State University shows research muscle in soy genetics

EDU-funded researchers mapped out segments of the soybean genome associated with higher levels of a cancer-preventing, cholesterol-lowering, antioxidant peptide.

NSF CREST Centers to support semiconductor device materials and biodegradable structures

Texas State University will establish a national hub for pioneering research, training and innovation in next-generation semiconductor technologies. Florida A&M University will develop advanced polymers for next-generation materials that can be manufactured into new structures and devices.

Become a Reviewer

Your experience and up-to-date knowledge enable you to provide helpful advice to EDU program officers on the merits of proposals and strengths of projects.

Find more information about volunteering as an NSF reviewer.