National Science Foundation: Transforming Undergraduate Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (TUES)

Transforming Undergraduate Education in STEM (TUES) Seeks to improve the quality of STEM education for undergraduate students Goals of the program reflect national concerns about producing skilled STEM professionals and citizens knowledgeable about STEM and how it relates to their lives

What TUES grants support Bring advances in STEM disciplinary knowledge into the curriculum Create or adapt learning materials and teaching strategies Develop faculty expertise Promote widespread implementation of educational innovations Prepare future K-12 teachers Enhance our understanding of how students learn STEM topics Enhance our understanding how faculty adopt instructional approaches Build capacity for assessment and evaluation Further the work of the program itself

Project Types: Scale & Scope  Type 1*: up to $200k; 2-3 years  A pilot study to begin understanding how various factors affect how students learn particular content or skills (*This is good for new PIs)  Type 2: up to $600k; 2-4 years  A study involving several diverse institutions to build on smaller scale proven ideas  Type 3: up to $5 million; 3-5 years  A project that involves a regional or national effort to disseminate proven materials or pedagogies  TUES Central Resource Projects: varies  Typically for small focused workshops; can be submitted any time after discussing with program officer

TUES Submission Dates ◦ Application deadlines:  May 27, Type 1 proposals  January 13, Type 2 & 3 proposals and TUES Central Resource Project proposals  May 29, Type 1 proposals  January 14, Type 2 & 3 proposals and TUES Central Resource Project proposals

TUES Success Rates Money is distributed to each discipline; currently, engineering gets the most and that is about 50% (applies to Type 1) Success rates in Type 1 proposals is <20%, but proposals that receive good reviews and are revised following reviewers and program officers advice usually have a higher success rate

TUES Fast Facts Application completed in NSF Fastlane PI will need registration in NSF Fastlane ◦ Contact GO Office to set up Fastlane account If submitting 5/27, earliest start date Dec. Budget Total- $200k for Type 1 proposals Project duration- 2-3 years Project Description section limit: 15 pages Cost-share is not required

NSF Fielded Searches Be sure to complete the NSF Organization field by selecting “DUE: Division of Undergraduate Education” to isolate pertinent abstracts in results. You can also refine search to specific field of application or put a keyword into the term search field. Go to the NSF Fielded Search website to query abstracts for awarded institutions and projects.NSF Fielded Search

NSF Fielded Search: Sample Search

Project Components Creating Learning Materials and Strategies Implementing New Instructional Strategies Developing Faculty Expertise Assessing and Evaluating Student Achievement Conducting Research on Undergraduate STEM Education

Creating New Learning Materials and Strategies Type 1projects can focus on piloting new educational materials and instructional methodologies; must be guided by research on teaching and learning and relate to advances within discipline. Type 1projects can focus on outcomes at a single site, but must include assessment and community engagement. Proposals may request funds in any budget category supported by NSF, including instrumentation.

Implementing New Instructional Strategies Usually Type 1 projects Must result in locally improved STEM education via implementation of exemplary materials, laboratory experiences, or educational practices previously developed and tested by the STEM community. TUES-Implementation projects should stand as models for broader adaptation throughout the community and must encourage widespread adoption. Proposals may request funds in any budget category supported by NSF, including instrumentation

Developing Faculty Expertise Methods that enable faculty to gain expertise (develop new knowledge and skills needed to revise curricula or pedagogy) May range from short-term workshops to sustained activities Foster new communities of scientists in undergraduate education Cost-effective professional development ◦ Diverse group of faculty ◦ Leading to implementation/adoption Must include evaluation efforts that describe impact on faculty, and/or on student learning.

Assessing and Evaluating Student Achievement Design and test new assessment and evaluation tools and processes. Apply new and existing tools to conduct broad- based assessments of student understanding ◦ Must span multiple institutions and be of general interest Projects using established instruments and strategies and/or likely to have only a local impact are discouraged.

Conducting Research on Undergraduate STEM Education Develop new models about how students learn Synthesize previous results and theories Practical focus ◦ Testable new ideas ◦ Impact on STEM educational practices May be combined with other components

Important Features of Successful TUES Projects Quality, Relevance, and Impact Student Focus Use of and Contribution to Knowledge about STEM Education STEM Education Community-Building Sustainability Expected Measurable Outcomes Project Evaluation

NSF Merit Review Criteria Intellectual Merit ◦ Importance of proposed activity to discipline or across different fields ◦ Proposer’s qualifications and his/her ability to conduct project ◦ Extent of creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts ◦ Well conceived and organization of proposed activity ◦ Sufficient access to resources Broader Impacts ◦ Advance discovery and understanding while promoting teaching, training, and learning ◦ Participation of underrepresented groups ◦ Enhancement of infrastructure for research and education ◦ Broad Dissemination ◦ Benefits to society

How to Really Learn about Programs and Proposal Application Process Become a reviewer for the program and become part of the proposal review process. ◦ Send an to the lead or disciplinary program officer. ◦ Your name will be added to the database of potential reviewers. ◦ NSF wants to use new reviewers each year, especially for Type 1 projects.

Resources from the Grants Office The GO can provide the following: ◦ Assistance in understanding program guidelines ◦ Successful proposal samples ◦ Tips/Hints from Program directors ◦ Assistance in preparing application forms ◦ Proposal editing and proposal packaging ◦ Assistance in budget development ◦ Internal review and approval process support

NSF TUES Submission Resources Program Announcement Application Guide Program Director Contact Information What has been funded? Additional Resources & Tips

Open Discussion/Questions? Grants Office Contact Information F-218 P.O. Box 195 Pomona, NJ Phone: (609) Fax: (609)