NSF National Resource Coordination Center on Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) | 24 596

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the main purpose of this NSF funding opportunity?

The opportunity supports the creation of a National Resource Coordination Center focused on Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE), commonly called the IUSE Center. The Center is intended to be a nationally visible hub that connects the IUSE EDU community, helps share knowledge across projects, coordinates efforts, and amplifies what has been learned about improving undergraduate STEM teaching and learning in the United States.

What is the IUSE Center expected to do?

Based on the description provided, the IUSE Center is expected to function as the connective tissue for IUSE EDU-funded work. That includes convening people and projects, strengthening communication and networking, helping stakeholders find and share relevant results, and reducing siloed efforts across the portfolio.

What are the two core objectives of the IUSE Center?

The opportunity is organized around two objectives: (1) expand the reach and influence of NSF's IUSE investments by strengthening communication, engagement, and networking among current awardees, prospective applicants, and other stakeholders; and (2) provide practical support and resources that help develop and maintain IUSE EDU projects over the long term, with special emphasis on supporting prospective applicants and communities underrepresented among IUSE EDU award recipients.

Is the IUSE Center meant to be an administrative support office?

No. The solicitation emphasizes that the Center should work side-by-side with NSF and the broader IUSE EDU community as an intellectual partner, not merely as an administrative support unit.

Who is the IUSE Center supposed to serve?

The Center is expected to engage current IUSE EDU awardees, prospective applicants, and other stakeholders interested in undergraduate STEM education. The description also highlights supporting communities that have been underrepresented among IUSE EDU award recipients.

How is collaboration with NSF and the community described in this opportunity?

Deep collaboration is described as a defining feature. The IUSE Center is not expected to operate independently or set its agenda in isolation; it is expected to work collaboratively with NSF and with the IUSE EDU community to design, implement, and carry out its activities.

What does the solicitation say about inclusion and broad participation?

Inclusion is identified as a major priority. The Center is expected to ensure participation from diverse educators and education researchers and represent the full range of the nation's talent pool. It should also reflect the variety of eligible institutions and organizations involved in undergraduate STEM education, as well as the breadth of STEM education efforts supported through the IUSE EDU Program.

What types of organizations are eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is limited to specific U.S.-based organizations. Eligible applicants include: U.S.-based for-profit organizations (including small businesses) with strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education and an interest in innovation; non-profit, non-academic organizations in the U.S. tied directly to educational or research activities (such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies); accredited U.S. institutions of higher education (two-year and four-year, including community colleges) with a U.S. campus submitting on behalf of their faculty; and federally recognized Tribal Nations.

Are U.S.-based for-profit organizations allowed to apply?

Yes. The listing states that U.S.-based for-profit organizations, including small businesses, may submit proposals if they have strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education and a clear interest in innovation.

Are non-profit organizations eligible even if they are not academic institutions?

Yes. Non-profit, non-academic organizations may apply if they are located in the United States and are directly tied to educational or research activities. Examples provided include independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies.

Are community colleges eligible?

Yes. Accredited U.S. institutions of higher education are eligible, including two-year and four-year institutions. The description explicitly notes community colleges as included.

Can Tribal Nations apply?

Yes. Federally recognized Tribal Nations are listed as eligible applicants, defined as American Indian or Alaska Native tribes, bands, nations, pueblos, villages, or communities formally recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior under applicable law.

Does the opportunity allow work at an international branch campus of a U.S. institution?

The listing includes a specific requirement for proposals involving international branch campuses of U.S. institutions of higher education. If any portion of the requested funding would support an international branch campus (including via subawards or consultants), the proposal must clearly explain why the international location benefits the project and why the activities cannot be performed at the U.S. campus.

What documentation is required if an international branch campus would be supported?

The provided text does not list a separate document, but it does require a clear explanation within the proposal: (1) why the international location benefits the project, and (2) why the planned activities cannot be performed at the U.S. campus. This requirement applies whether the support is direct or routed through subawards or consultant arrangements.

What is the official title of the funding opportunity?

The Funding Opportunity Title is "NSF National Resource Coordination Center on Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE)."

What is the funding opportunity number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 24-596.

Which agency is offering this opportunity?

The agency is the National Science Foundation (NSF).

What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?

The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number associated with the opportunity is 47.076.

What award mechanism will NSF use?

The listing indicates NSF will make awards through a grant mechanism under the discretionary category for Science and Technology and other Research and Development activities.

When is the closing date shown in the listing?

The posting shows an original closing date of 2024-11-14.

When was this opportunity created, according to the listing?

The creation date shown is 2024-08-16.

Is the award ceiling provided?

No. The award ceiling is not specified in the text provided.

Is the expected number of awards provided?

No. The expected number of awards is not specified in the text provided.

Where can applicants find budget expectations or project period guidance?

The provided text indicates that because items like the award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified, applicants typically need to consult the full solicitation for budget expectations, project period guidance, and any limits or preferred ranges.

What kinds of activities are implied by "strengthening communication, engagement, and networking"?

The description implies an active role in convening people and projects and making it easier for practitioners and researchers to learn from each other, discover relevant results, and avoid working in silos. Specific event types or products are not detailed in the provided text.

What does "practical support and resources" mean in this context?

The text describes practical support and resources as those that help with the development and long-term maintenance of IUSE EDU projects, with particular emphasis on helping prospective applicants and underrepresented communities participate and succeed. Specific forms of support are not enumerated in the provided information.

What makes this Center "national" in scope?

The Center is described as a nationally visible hub intended to increase the impact of NSF's IUSE investments across the United States by connecting the IUSE EDU portfolio, sharing knowledge broadly, coordinating efforts, and expanding participation across diverse institutions, disciplines, regions, and professional roles.