Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL)

Overview

<p><strong>Program Goals</strong><br>The AISL program is situated within the Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL). DRL’s mission is to cultivate and catalyze fundamental and applied research and development (R&D) to improve the learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for the nation. In support of this mission, AISL seeks to (a) advance new approaches to and evidence-based understanding of the design and development of STEM learning in informal environments; (b) provide multiple pathways for broadening access to and engagement in STEM learning experiences; (c) advance innovative research on and assessment of STEM learning in informal environments; and (d) engage the public of all ages in learning STEM in informal environments.</p> <p>The AISL program supports new approaches to an evidence-based understanding of the design and development of STEM learning opportunities for the public in informal environments. It provides multiple pathways for broadening access to, and engagement with, STEM learning experiences. The program advances innovative research on and assessment of STEM learning in informal environments with the goal of engaging the public of all ages in STEM learning in informal environments. Consistent with the previous solicitation, there are six types of projects that can be submitted for consideration for funding: Pilots and Feasibility Studies; Research in Service to Practice; Innovations in Development; Broad Implementation; Literature Reviews, Syntheses, or Meta-Analyses; and Conferences.</p> <p><strong>Revision Notes</strong></p> <ul> <li>NEW: The project description narrative is limited to 15 single-spaced pages.</li> <li>NEW: There will be a separate solicitation for the Informal STEM Learning Resource Center.</li> <li>REMINDER: All proposals must articulate clear rationales describing why a project is primarily informal and how it adds value to the informal STEM learning community.</li> <li>REMINDER: The AISL program prefers collaborative proposals to be submitted using the single-entity option. For collaborative proposals uploaded as separate submissions from multiple organizations, the minimum one-year budget amount is $75,000 for each organization for each project year.</li> <li>REMINDER: Any proposal submitted in response to this solicitation should be in accordance with the revised NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 22-1), which is effective for proposals submitted, or due, on or after October 4, 2021.</li> </ul>