1 Exploring NSF Funding Opportunities in DUE Tim Fossum Division of Undergraduate Education Vermont EPSCoR NSF Research Day May 6, 2008

2 The NSF Structure

NSF Programs in the Division of Undergraduate Education

4 Federal Cyber Service: Scholarship for Service (SFS) Co-sponsored by NSF and the Department of Homeland Security Co-sponsored by NSF and the Department of Homeland Security Goal: protect the nation’s critical computer infrastructure, systems, and networks Goal: protect the nation’s critical computer infrastructure, systems, and networks Objective: Increase supply of Information Assurance (IA) professionals in Federal Service Objective: Increase supply of Information Assurance (IA) professionals in Federal Service Search NSF website for SFS Search NSF website for SFS

5 SFS Institution Requirements Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAEIAE): see Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAEIAE): see Can partner with a CAEIAE institution Can partner with a CAEIAE institution

6 SFS Tracks Two tracks: Two tracks:  Capacity Building  Scholarship

7 SFS awards (FY2008) Typical award sizes: Typical award sizes:  Scholarship: $400K/year for four years (5 new awards, often as continuing grants)  Capacity building: $100K/year for two years (plus another $100K/year if in collaboration with a MSI) (10 new awards)

8 SFS awards Since FY2001: Since FY2001:  29 SFS scholarship track grants  953 students received scholarships FY2008 budget: $11.6M FY2008 budget: $11.6M FY2009 request: $15M FY2009 request: $15M

9 Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Goal: Educate technicians for the high-tech fields that drive our nation’s economy Goal: Educate technicians for the high-tech fields that drive our nation’s economy Sample activities: Sample activities:  Curriculum development  Faculty professional development  Building career pathways Search NSF website for ATE Search NSF website for ATE

10 ATE Institution Requirements Focus is on two-year colleges Focus is on two-year colleges All proposals are expected to include one or more two-year colleges in leadership roles All proposals are expected to include one or more two-year colleges in leadership roles A consortium of institutions may also apply A consortium of institutions may also apply

11 ATE Tracks Projects Projects  Program improvement  Professional development for educators  Curriculum and educational materials development  Teacher preparation  Small grants to new awardees

12 ATE Tracks ATE Centers ATE Centers  National Centers of Excellence  Regional Centers of Excellence  Resource Centers Targeted research on technician education Targeted research on technician education

13 ATE awards (FY2008) Typical award sizes: Typical award sizes:  Projects: $200K/year for 3 years (45 new awards)  Small Grants: $75K/year for 2 years (15 new awards)  National Centers: $1.2M/year for 4 years (2 new awards) FY2008 budget: $46M FY2008 budget: $46M

14 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP) Goal: increase the number of students receiving associate or baccalaureate degrees in STEM Goal: increase the number of students receiving associate or baccalaureate degrees in STEM Search NSF website for STEP Search NSF website for STEP

15 STEP Tracks Type 1: Implement strategies that will increase the number of students obtaining STEM degrees. (If you have already had a Type 1 award, see the solicitation) Type 1: Implement strategies that will increase the number of students obtaining STEM degrees. (If you have already had a Type 1 award, see the solicitation) Type 2: Conduct research on factors affecting associate or baccalaureate degree attainment in STEM Type 2: Conduct research on factors affecting associate or baccalaureate degree attainment in STEM

16 STEP Type 1 Possible project activities: Possible project activities:  Focus directly on student learning  Incorporate current technology  Develop interdisciplinary approaches  Offer bridge programs Increases in a particular field must not be at the expense of other fields! Increases in a particular field must not be at the expense of other fields!

17 STEP Type 2 Goal: contribute to the knowledge base of scholarly research in science education relating to factors affecting associate or baccalaureate degree attainment in STEM Goal: contribute to the knowledge base of scholarly research in science education relating to factors affecting associate or baccalaureate degree attainment in STEM Project outcomes should be useful to educators Project outcomes should be useful to educators

18 STEP awards (FY2008) Maximum award sizes Maximum award sizes  Type 1 (typically continuing grants, awards anticipated)  $100K/year for 5 years for students < 5000  $200K/year for 5 years for 5000<= students <  $400K/year for 5 years for 15000<= students  Type 2: $500K/year for 3 years (2 awards anticipated)  FY 2008 budget: $26M

19 Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) CCLI seeks to improve the quality of STEM education for all students by targeting activities affecting learning environments, course content, curricula, and educational practices Supports projects at all levels of undergraduate education Supports activities in the classroom, laboratory, and field settings Search the NSF website for CCLI

20 CCLI Goals and Objectives: A New Emphasis Provide a framework for projects to maximize their effectiveness in improving undergraduate STEM education Provide a framework for projects to maximize their effectiveness in improving undergraduate STEM education Increase the emphasis on projects that build on prior work and contribute to the knowledge base of STEM education research and practice Increase the emphasis on projects that build on prior work and contribute to the knowledge base of STEM education research and practice Contribute to building a community of scholars who work in related areas of education Contribute to building a community of scholars who work in related areas of education Explicitly identify a set of measurable outcomes that will be used in the project management and evaluation Explicitly identify a set of measurable outcomes that will be used in the project management and evaluation

21 CCLI: Organized Cycle of Innovation into 5 Components Conducting Research on Undergraduate STEM Education Developing Faculty Expertise Creating New Learning Materials and Teaching Strategies Assessing Student Achievement Implementing Educational Innovations

22 CCLI: 3 Phases Phase 1 – Exploratory Projects Phase 1 – Exploratory Projects Involve exploratory, initial investigation or adaptation in one of the component areas. Phase 2 – Expansion Projects Phase 2 – Expansion Projects Build on smaller scale but proven innovations, refine and test innovations on diverse users Phase 3 – Comprehensive Projects Phase 3 – Comprehensive Projects Several diverse institutions, evaluation or assessment activities–deep & broad, combine proven results and mature innovations from several component areas, sustainability, national dissemination, etc.

23 CCLI awards (FY2008) Typical award sizes Typical award sizes  Phase 1: $75K/year for 2 years (80 new awards)  Phase 2: $170K/year for 3 years (25 new awards)  Phase 3: $500K/year for 4 years (3 new awards) Co-funding allows for more awards Co-funding allows for more awards FY 2008 budget: $34M FY 2008 budget: $34M

24 Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) Awards grants to institutions to provide scholarships to academically talented, but financial needy, students Students can be pursuing associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degrees Funded by the H-1B visa program Search the NSF website for S-STEM

25 S-STEM Eligible disciplines: biology, physical and mathematical sciences, computer and information sciences, geosciences, and engineering Technology programs in these disciplines are also supported Technology programs in these disciplines are also supported Individual student scholarships may be for up to $10K/yr, based on need Individual student scholarships may be for up to $10K/yr, based on need One proposal per school or college One proposal per school or college

26 S-STEM projects Has a faculty member in a STEM discipline as the PI Involves cohorts of students Provides student support structures Includes optional enhancements such as research opportunities, tutoring, internships, etc. Enrolls scholarship students full time

27 S-STEM (FY 2008) Typical awards sizes: Typical awards sizes:  $150K/year for 4 years (110 new awards) FY2008 budget: $60M FY2008 budget: $60M

28 Thanks! For further information about a particular program, contact the cognizant Program Officer.