Collaborative Research

Overview:

This notice solicits applications for the Collaborative Research program overseen by the Division of Research. The Collaborative Research program aims to advance humanistic knowledge through collaboration between two or more scholars. The program encourages projects that incorporate multiple points of view, explore new avenues of inquiry in the humanities, and lead to manuscripts for print publication. 

You may propose a research project in a single field of study or interdisciplinary work. 

Scholars may be drawn from one or more institutions. Collaborations among different types of institutions are welcome. For example, research universities might partner with teaching colleges, libraries, museums, independent research institutions, or tribal organizations. 

NEH welcomes international collaboration, but scholars at U.S. institutions must contribute significantly to the project. (See C3. Other Eligibility Information.) If your project includes international collaborators, see NEH’s Partnership Opportunity Notifications for sources of additional support from external partners. 

You must propose tangible and sustainable outcomes as the end goal of the project, even if completion lies beyond the award’s period of performance. Outputs may include, but are not limited to, co-authored or multi-authored books; themed issues of peer-reviewed journals; or a series of peer-reviewed articles in academic journals or articles in general audience publications or both. All project outputs must address at least one stated humanities research question and convey interpretive humanities work. You must present a plan to disseminate the project’s results.

Funding categories 

The Collaborative Research program has two funding categories that support different types of collaborative projects and collaborative projects at different stages of development: 

• Planning International Collaboration 
• Manuscript Preparation 
• a written plan for collaborative research activities and future print publications or digital scholarly projects 
• livestreamed or recorded video of workshops 
• web-posted papers 
• co-authored monograph 
• edited volume 
• a series of peer-reviewed articles 
• themed issue of a peer-reviewed journal 

You must identify only one category for funding, even if your project is part of a complex research agenda that includes multiple project types. You may submit follow-up applications for subsequent stages of the same project.

A Planning International Collaboration award is not a prerequisite for a Manuscript Preparation application.

Program Outputs and Outcomes 

The outputs of a Planning International Collaboration award may include: 

The outputs of a Manuscript Preparation award may include:

The outcome of a Collaborative Research award will be the advancement of humanistic knowledge through collaboration between two or more scholars.

Solicitation limitations:

An institution may submit multiple applications for separate and distinct projects under this notice. However, an individual may not be the project director or co-director on more than one application to the program per competition.

Other information:

Summary of Funding

• Planning International Collaboration: Up to $25,000. Six to twelve months
• Convening: up to $50,000 

Manuscript Preparation: Up to $250,000 (up to $100,000 per year for years one and two and up to $50,000 for year three). One to three years

Research Grants on Education: Small

Overview:

The Small Research Grants on Education Program supports education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education, broadly conceived, with budgets up to $50,000 for projects ranging from one to five years. Eligible investigators may also request additional supplemental funds for a course release.

We accept applications two times per year.

This program is “field-initiated” in that proposal submissions are not in response to a specific request for a particular research topic, discipline, design, or method. Our goal for this program is to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education. We seek to support scholarship that develops new foundational knowledge that may have a lasting impact on educational discourse.

We recognize that learning occurs across the life course as well as across settings— from the classroom to the workplace, to family and community contexts and even onto the playing field—any of which may, in the right circumstance, provide the basis for rewarding study that makes significant contributions to the field. We value work that fosters creative and open-minded scholarship, engages in deep inquiry, and examines robust questions related to education. To this end, this program supports proposals from multiple disciplinary and methodological perspectives, both domestically and internationally, from scholars at various stages in their career. We anticipate that proposals will span a wide range of topics and disciplines that innovatively investigate questions central to education, including for example education, anthropology, philosophy, psychology, sociology, law, economics, history, or neuroscience, among others.

Moreover, we expect and welcome methodological diversity in answering pressing questions; thus, we are open to projects that utilize a wide array of research methods including quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, ethnographies, computational modeling, design-based research, participatory methods, and historical research, to name a few. We are open to projects that might incorporate data from multiple and varied sources, span a sufficient length of time as to achieve a depth of understanding, and/or work closely with practitioners or community members over the life of the project.

Solicitation limitations:

PIs and Co-PIs may not submit more than one research proposal to the Spencer Foundation at a time. This restriction applies to the Small Grants Program, Large Grants Program, Racial Equity Research Grants Program, and Research-Practice Partnership Program. If the PI or any of the Co-PIs currently have a research proposal under consideration in any of these programs, they are required to wait until a final decision has been made on the pending proposal before they can submit a new proposal.

Other information:

The Small Research Grants on Education Program supports education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education, broadly conceived, with budgets up to $50,000 for projects ranging from one to five years. Eligible investigators may also request additional supplemental funds for a course release.

Tools Competition

Overview:

The 2026 Tools Competition launches at a time of rapid change, rising urgency, and widespread demand for understanding and direction amidst evolving technology. Learners of all ages face new demands driven by AI, shifting labor markets, and persistent inequities. From early learning to workforce development, they need tools that are more effective, inclusive, and future-ready.

Now in its sixth cycle, the Tools Competition is the leading global prize for breakthrough edtech, grounded in evidence and built for impact. We maintain a close pulse on the field and design the competition to reflect its curiosity, momentum, and most urgent needs. From rising concerns around safeguarding to growing excitement about generative AI, each cycle is shaped by what matters most to the people building and using these tools.

This year’s tracks span K–12 and postsecondary learning, as well as high-quality datasets that support future education research and development. Across the tracks, the competition emphasizes:

• Responsible innovation and development to keep users safe with evolving technology
• Advanced AI methods, including agentic systems and large reasoning models, to drive meaningful learning gains
• Release of shared public assets—such as training data, evaluation tools, or open models—to strengthen the field and accelerate collective progress

Advances in generative AI and learning science present an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine teaching and learning. Already, 60% of teachers are using AI tools and, of those who haven’t, about 80% of them are interested in trying it. Yet technology alone isn’t the answer. To make a lasting impact, developers must design tools that are research-driven, effective, and safe, especially for students, educators, and families navigating a fast-changing landscape.

We invite bold ideas to build the next generation of tools designed to transform learning at scale, and for all.

Other information:

Competition Tracks and Eligibility
Entrants will be required to select the relevant track in which their submission will be evaluated. Different tracks have varying objectives, target users, and competitive priorities.

The Competition tracks and associated eligibility requirements include:

• Accelerating K-12 Learning Track: Tools that accelerate K–12 learning by advancing rigorous, relevant instruction designed to be inclusive and accessible by all learners. Entrants worldwide are eligible.
• Building Pathways to Postsecondary Success Track: Tools that advance postsecondary learning and workforce development, expanding pathways to meaningful careers. Entrants based in the United States and serving U.S. learners are eligible.
• Datasets for Education Innovation Track: Datasets that power education research, innovation, and impact. Entrants worldwide are eligible.

Different tracks may be more or less competitive than others depending on the number of Entrants to each track. Submissions will be evaluated according to their designated tracks based on Administrator’s chosen criteria, which may be published and revised from time to time by Administrator at its sole discretion.

Prize levels include:

• Catalyst Level ($50,000): These prizes are aimed at new Entrants with early stage ideas or products. This may also include Entrants with an existing tool with a non-existent or limited user base.
• Growth Level ($150,000): These prizes are designed for Entrants that have at least a minimum viable product with some users and scale.
• Transform Level ($300,000): These prizes are designed for established platforms with 10,000 or more users.

Entrants to the Datasets for Education Innovation Track are eligible for a $100,000 prize.

Developmental Sciences

Overview:

The Developmental Sciences program supports basic research that advances our understanding of perceptual, cognitive, linguistic, social, cultural, and biological processes related to human development across the lifespan. Research supported by this program will expand our knowledge of the underlying developmental processes that support social, cognitive, and behavioral functioning, thereby illuminating ways for individuals to live productive lives as members of society.

The Developmental Sciences program supports research that addresses developmental processes within the domains of perceptual, cognitive, social, emotional, language, and motor development across the lifespan by working with any appropriate populations for the topics of interest including infants, children, adolescents, adults (including aging populations), and non-human animals. The program also supports research investigating factors that affect developmental change, including family, peers, school, community, culture, media, physical, genetic, and epigenetic influences. The program funds research that incorporates multidisciplinary, multi-method, and/or longitudinal approaches; develops new methods, models, and theories for studying development; and integrates different processes (e.g., memory, emotion, perception, cognition), levels of analysis (e.g., behavioral, social, neural) and time scales. The program funds basic research that advances our understanding of developmental processes and mechanisms; the program does not fund clinical trials and/or research focused primarily on health outcomes.

The program seeks to support research that (1) involves diverse methodologies and theoretical perspectives; (2) includes participants from a range of communities, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and cultures; and (3) helps diversify research project leadership (PIs and co-PIs), ideas, and approaches via equity-centered collaborative models. Proposals that include participants from historically marginalized groups and/or groups underrepresented in developmental science research should demonstrate cultural competence within the research team to conduct research with these communities. PIs should provide clear evidence of equity-centered collaborative practices with community members.

A list of recent awards made by the program demonstrates the range of sub-fields, methods, and topics typically supported by the program. If a researcher is unsure whether the Developmental Sciences Program and NSF more broadly are appropriate for a proposal topic, they are encouraged to email a one-page summary of their project to the program officer(s) before a proposal submission.

Additional Relevant Funding Opportunities
The NSF Developmental Sciences Program supports multiple types of proposals:

• Standard Research Proposals
• Conference/Workshop Proposals
• Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Supplemental Funding Requests
• Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Supplemental Funding Requests
• Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program Proposals
• Mid-career Advancement (MCA) program supplemental funding
• Career-life balance supplemental funding
• Facilitating Research at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions: Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) and Research Opportunity Awards (ROA) Proposals and Supplemental Funding Requests
• Research Coordination Network (RCN) Proposals
• Rapid Response Research (RAPID) Proposals
• Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) Proposals
• Research Advanced by Interdisciplinary Science & Engineering (RAISE) Proposals.

Solicitation limitations:

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: 1

Other information:

In addition to consulting the NSF awards database, it is often useful for interested proposers to submit (via email) a summary of no more than one page so that a program director can advise the investigator on the fit of the project for DS before the preparation of a full proposal.

Based on a need for portfolio diversity, we encourage recent recipients to explore alternative funding opportunities rather than seek additional funding from Developmental Sciences.

Awards: While there are no specific rules about budget limitations, a typical project funded through the Developmental Sciences program is approximately three years in duration with a total cost budget, including both direct and indirect costs, between $100,000 and $200,000 per year. The Developmental Sciences program also considers proposals for workshops and small conferences on a case-by-case basis. These typically have total cost budgets, including direct and indirect costs, of approximately $35,000. Conference proposals may only be submitted following an invitation from the Program Directors.

Research on the Science and Technology Enterprise: Indicators, Statistics, and Methods

Overview:

NCSES welcomes proposals for research, conferences, and studies to advance the understanding of the S&T enterprise and encourage development of methods that will improve the quality of our data. Research could include: improved approaches to indicator construction and presentation, new S&T indicator development, strengthening of data collection methodologies and privacy protection to improve surveys that collect S&T data, investigations of alternate data sources to study S&T topics, analyses to inform STEM education and workforce policy, and innovations in the communication of S&T statistics. NCSES encourages proposals that analyze NCSES data or NCSES data in conjunction with those from other sources but does not limit the work to the analysis of the data it collects.

AREAS OF INTEREST
Potential topics for consideration include but are not limited to:

• Improving analytical techniques to produce better indicators of issues related to: (1) the characteristics of scientists and engineers, (2) the demand, supply, and career pathways of science and engineering personnel, including those without bachelor’s degrees (3) outcomes and impacts of research and development (R&D) expenditures in various sectors, countries, and fields including emerging science and technology fields, (4) estimates of current and near-term future S&T resources; and (5) measures of U.S. competitiveness in S&T.
• Developing new and/or improved methods of measuring the inputs, outputs, interactions, and social or economic impacts of S&T activities. These methods could involve the use of administrative records, social media, or novel data extraction methods.
• Developing new data, analyses, and/or indicators of the globalization of science, engineering, and technology, as well as analyses leading to a better understanding of the changing global economy. This could include: international comparisons of S&T capabilities and activities, indicators of international education and mobility of scientists and engineers, and foreign investment in S&T activities.
• Improving data collection methodologies for S&T surveys and censuses, including those conducted by NCSES. Such studies could research improvements in the target population, sample frame, and sample design, focusing on coverage and sampling error. Also included are developments of new data collection techniques and operational efficiencies such as adaptive survey design and passive data collection. Studies focused on the respondent experience and reduction in respondent burden such as modular survey design are also relevant.
• Improving analysis and data processing methodologies for NCSES data by researching topics such as imputation techniques, privacy protections, or data consistency with related surveys or administrative data. This research could also involve investigations of linkage of alternate data sources to supplement NCSES data and reporting.
• Pursuing innovations in the dissemination of S&T statistics to encourage communication of the information in a timely and user-friendly fashion. This could include interactive visualizations, studies of user needs, and new reporting formats for indicators.

NCSES' core mission areas are:

• The collection, acquisition, analysis, reporting, and dissemination of statistical data on science, engineering, technology and research and development related to the United States and other nations;
• Support of research that uses NCSES data;
• Methodological research in areas related to its work; and
• Education and training of researchers in the use of large-scale nationally representative data sets

Alignment with NCSES Mission
Proposals that do not target one or more of NCSES' core mission areas will be returned without review. The NCSES program overlaps with many other research activities and areas at NSF. Researchers with projects that do not meet specific NCSES criteria might consider other NSF programs and activities. Those programs that may be of particular interest to NCSES researchers are: Science of Science: Discovery, Communication, and Impact (SoS: DCI), Methodology, Measurement and Statistics (MMS), Science of Organizations (SoO), Science and Technology Studies (STS), SBE Science of Broadening Participation (SBE SBP), and Partnerships for Innovation (PFI).

Other information:

Estimated Number of Awards: 5 to 10
Based on the quality of proposals and the availability of funds, NSF expects to make 5 to 10 awards each year.
Anticipated Funding Amount: $1,500,000

Sponsor Deadlines: January 20, 2026 and June 16, 2026

Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grants

Overview:

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund aims to stimulate the growth of new connections between thinkers working in largely disconnected fields, who, together, may change the course of climate change’s impact on human health. Between Fall 2023 and Summer 2026, we will dedicate $1 million to supporting small, early-stage grants of $2,500–$50,000 toward achieving this goal.

We are primarily, but not exclusively, interested in activities that build connections between basic and early biomedical scientific approaches and ecological, environmental, geological, geographic, and planetary-scale thinking, as well as with population-focused fields, including epidemiology and public health, demography, economics, and urban planning. Also of interest is work piloting new approaches or interactions aimed at reducing the impact of health-centered activities, such as developing more sustainable systems for healthcare, care delivery, and biomedical research.

Another area of interest is preparation for the impacts of extreme weather and other crises that can lead to large-scale disruptions, immediately affecting human health and the delivery of healthcare. Public outreach, climate communication, and education efforts focused on the intersection of climate and health are also appropriate for this call. This program supports work conceived through many kinds of creative thinking. Successful applicants include academic scientists, physicians, and public health experts, community organizations, science outreach centers, non-biomedical academic departments, and more.

Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grants: Small grants to promote the growth of new connections between scholars, practitioners, educators, and/or communicators working to understand, spread the word about, and mitigate the impacts of climate change on human health. Review will be conducted quarterly. After each quarterly review, we will support, decline, or send proposals back to applicants for revision, but may hold some proposals over for a future review. Recommended revisions may include suggestions that separate groups of applicants submitting similar proposals work together to develop a single proposal or that applicants consider becoming involved in efforts aligned with work funded in earlier quarters.

This call focuses on developing partnerships. Proposals from single institutions must develop partnerships that do not already occur naturally: for example, proposals from departments that draw students from the same shared graduate program are not responsive to this call. Proposals from more than one institution are responsive. Academic institutions, professional societies, and advocacy organizations are only a few of the appropriate drivers of proposals. Only non-profit institutions may be supported by BWF’s award, but non-profits may involve for profit organizations in their proposals. This program does not support biomedical research projects proposed by individual investigators, but only by collaborative teams. 

Eligible proposals will include rationale/vision for the project, including who it is intended to impact. 

Solicitation limitations:

Applicant organizations may submit multiple proposals, but an individual may only serve as a principal investigator/project director on one application during each review period.

Individuals may only serve twice as directors (principal investigators/project directors) for proposals supported over time by this program. Current and past awardees from other BWF programs are eligible to apply.

Other information:

NOTE: Beginning April 30, 2025, we will no longer accept phone calls or emails regarding the Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grants program. Instead, we will hold nine Zoom sessions per quarter to address questions from potential applicants. Sign up for notification for information. Only .org, .edu, and .ca email domains are eligible for subscription.

Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis through July 2026. A review will be conducted quarterly. Deadline dates for the upcoming cycles are:

• Oct 23, 2025
• Jan 22, 2026
• April 23, 2026
• July 23, 2026

Integrated Data Systems & Services (IDSS)

Overview:

Scope. The IDSS program supports national-scale performant operational systems and services that broadly facilitate open, data-intensive and artificial intelligence-driven science and engineering research, innovation, and education. IDSS projects should be aimed to broadly impact the science and engineering research and education community in a transdisciplinary and demonstrably multi-disciplinary way, enabling researchers and educators from diverse domains and disciplines to utilize research data, integrate data, and connect data sources with other scientific resources such as computing resources, facilities, instrumentation and repositories. Projects that aim to primarily benefit a single science discipline, domain, project, or application are not supported. 

Emphasis on integration. The IDSS program supports projects that demonstrably contribute to the vision of an integrated, federated and accessible advanced research cyberinfrastructure ecosystem that meets the Nation’s foundational needs for world-leading data, computing, and networking capabilities.  Projects are expected to leverage and interconnect with other existing operational cyberinfrastructure systems and services and other data and relevant facilities, whether supported by NSF or by other entities, as appropriate to project objectives. Inline with this emphasis, all proposed projects, including collaborative projects, must be submitted as a single proposal in which a single award is being requested (PAPPG Chapter II.E.3.a). The involvement of partner organizations should be supported through subawards administered by the submitting organization.

Scientific data lifecycle. The IDSS program aims to develop a portfolio of projects that collectively enable data utilization pathways and workflows across the end-to-end scientific data lifecycle. The IDSS program has an inclusive and flexible view of the scientific data lifecycle that may include stages and functionalities such as acquisition, transfer, management, exploration, analysis, curation, sharing, synthesis, discovery, and archiving, as may be defined by a project or community. A given IDSS project need not support all stages of a reference data lifecycle but must be clear about how the project enables one or more scientific pathways through all or few stages of a lifecycle. 

Storage and curation. The IDSS program supports integrated resources, services and environments to enable hosting, manipulation of, and workflows for research data. The IDSS program does not support costs for permanent long-term hosting, storage, archival, and curation of the research data itself. Projects that involve partnerships, fee-based models, or other such mechanisms to support these long-term data storage and curation costs are encouraged. 

Innovation and adaptability: A portion of an IDSS project is expected to be dedicated to innovation and improvement of operational services over the lifetime of the award. Proposed projects designed to enable research communities to build customized tools and capabilities upon the IDSS-supported project infrastructure are also encouraged. Projects that have the goal of cyberinfrastructure innovation without operations expectations and plans are not supported. 

Relationship to other funding programs. Proposed IDSS projects should not be appropriate for funding by any other current NSF programs or solicitations. The IDSS program is complementary to other production/operations-oriented national-scale cyberinfrastructure programs supported by the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC) including the Advanced Systems and Services Program (ACSS) and the ACCESS coordinated services program. ACSS and ACCESS address advanced computing needs of the broad S&E community; the IDSS program focuses on data infrastructure. The IDSS program is also complementary to the OAC CSSI and CC* programs. CC* emphasizes institutional and regional capabilities and CSSI primarily supports data and software infrastructure development; IDSS supports national-scale operational projects. Prospective proposers of pilot- and prototype-stage projects should consider other OAC programs such as CSSI or other relevant NSF programs. 

Programmatic areas of interest 
Current areas of particular interest to the IDSS program include, but are not limited to and may involve a combination of:

• Projects that facilitate the connection of data sources with advanced computing resources and analytic environments in integrative ways for an appropriately broad array of use cases. 
• Projects that address the emerging data-intensive workflows and data integration needs of artificial-intelligence (AI)-driven research (including research about AI and research using AI capabilities). 
• Projects that focus on enabling one or more specific points in the data lifecycle applied at a national scale. 

Projects that enhance the ability of the research and education community to access and utilize open research data supported by other federal agencies are welcome, provided that such projects are not primarily benefitting a single science discipline, domain, project, or application, and are complementary to, not overlapping with investments being made by those other agencies for similar purposes. 

Solicitation limitations:

An organization may submit only one proposal as lead institution for each of Category I and Category II for each solicitation deadline but may be a subawardee on other Category I and II proposals responding to this solicitation. The restriction to no more than one submitted proposal as lead institution is to help ensure that there is appropriate institutional commitment necessary for responsible oversight, by the potential recipient institution, of a national data infrastructure resource. This restriction does not apply to Category III proposals. 

In the event that any organization exceeds this limit, any proposal submitted to this solicitation from an organization after the first proposal is received at NSF will be returned without review. No exceptions will be made. 

Category III. There are no restrictions or limits. 

Other information:

IDSS offers the following three categories of proposals: 

• Category I. Development, deployment, and operation of novel national-scale integrated data systems and services, which may include interfacing with or leveraging other existing capabilities, systems and services as appropriate to the project. 
  • Between $10 million to $30 million for up to 5 years. Potentially renewable.
• Category II. Transition of established smaller scale, regional, pilot, or prototype data-focused systems and services to national-scale production/operational quality/level. This may also include enhancement and expansion of existing national-scale data-focused operational systems and services. 
  • Up to $9 million for up to 3 years. Potentially renewable.
• Category III. Planning grants for future potential development/deployment or transition/enhancement IDSS projects. 
  • Up to $500,000 for up to 2 years. Not renewable. 

Letters of Intent: Not required

Spark Grants

Overview:

Vitalyst Health Foundation is on a mission to connect, support, and inform efforts to improve the health of individuals and communities in Arizona. We achieve this through partnerships across Arizona, including capacity building resources and grant support to organizations who share our mission.

We understand systems change takes time. Spark Grants are planning grants to support coalitions to plan and identify solutions toward systemic change. By the end of the grant period, coalitions will have identified the necessary steps and calculated costs needed to achieve its systems change project.

Grant Criteria

• Coalition
  • Arizona-based coalition formed by 2+ organizations serving the state, the lead being an Arizona serving nonprofit or fiscally sponsored.
  • Coalition is able to demonstrate readiness to plan the proposed systems change.
    • Readiness is measured by favorable Wilder Assessment results completed by all core partners.
• Health Outcomes
  • Identified community health issues focused on the intersections of the Elements of a Healthy Community.
  • The coalition can describe how its desired change will have a positive impact on community wellbeing.
• Systems Change
  • Clearly identified part of the system that is hoped to be changed (e.g. restorative justice practices in the criminal justice system; rural food production of the local food system, etc).
• Health Equity
  • The planned effort focuses on improving a specific health disparity.
  • The coalition’s plan engages and benefits those most affected by the issue.
• Budget
  • Consistent with the proposed scope of work is a one-year $25,000 grant.

Other information:

Submission Deadlines
Fall: October 9, 2025 – after an initial Discovery Intake, potential partners that meet criteria will be given submission instructions. 
Spring: May 7, 2026

Award Amount
• One-year award
• Up to $25,000 total

Systems Change Grants

Overview:

Arizona faces complex health problems, including limited access to healthcare, differences in community conditions, and unequal health outcomes across the state. These issues are connected and form systems that lead to the health disparities we see every day. As part of our mission to improve health in Arizona, Vitalyst Health Foundation is dedicated to supporting systems change efforts across the state through our grants.

What is Systems Change? Systems change is a way to address root problems by improving how systems work, leading to long-lasting, widespread improvements in health. Systems change can occur when collaboratives work to change structures like policies, practices, or resource flows that leave out groups most impacted by conditions. Changing systems can also happen by shifting power dynamics, relationships and connections, or mental models (the way we think about things).

You can read about what systems change means in the Spark Report Understanding Systems Change.

Our Systems Change Grants support collaboratives in implementing their desired systems change. By the end of the grant period, collaboratives will have either fully implemented or made significant advancements toward their systems change project.

Grant Criteria

1. Systems Change Project Design 40 POINTS
   Describe the systems change initiative, the problem and system it targets, the barriers and goals, strategies aligned with systems change conditions, timing, and anticipated challenges.
   
    
2. Collaborative 20 POINTS
   Explain the partner organizations’ roles, history, and alignment; how community voices are included; and why the collaborative is positioned for successful implementation.
   
    
3. Elements of a Healthy Community Outcomes 15 POINTS
   Identify the health outcomes targeted, their alignment with Healthy Community Elements, and how improvements will be tracked with specific metrics.
   
    
4. Health Equity 15 POINTS
   Detail how the project will reduce health disparities using data, especially disaggregated data, and demonstrate the involvement of impacted communities in shaping the change.
   
    
5. Budget 10 POINTS
   Provide a narrative and spreadsheet showing how the grant and other funds will be used to support equitable systems change, partner compensation, and the collaborative’s financial capacity.

Other information:

Grant Process
Applications due October 9, 2025.
Presentations for selected applicants January 12 – January 16, 2026.

To learn more about what Systems Change means to Vitalyst, click here. For collaboratives interested in our Systems Change Grants, we are hosting our Systems Change Grants Information Session via Zoom on September 9 at 9:00 A.M.

NSF STEM K-12 (STEM K-12)

Overview:

The NSF STEM K-12 program in the Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL) in the Directorate for STEM Education (EDU) supports fundamental, applied, and translational research that advances STEM teaching and learning and improves understanding of education across the human lifespan and a range of formal and informal settings.

The NSF STEM K-12 program encourages multidisciplinary collaborations that bring together expertise and methodological approaches from various fields, including education research, social and behavioral sciences, implementation sciences, computer science, and all STEM disciplines. In addition, the program encourages partnerships that integrate perspectives from education research, education practice, and industry, as well as perspectives of learners and other critical stakeholders who would benefit from the work.

The program also welcomes quantitative, qualitative, mixed method approaches, and a range of research and/or development efforts across broad areas of scientific inquiry, including but not limited to:

• foundational studies that advance theory or build new conceptual frameworks related to STEM learning and teaching;
• design-based research that iteratively develops and refines learning environments, instructional models, systems, or approaches;
• projects aimed at cultivating the skills, dispositions, and knowledge needed to succeed in computer science, AI pathways, and technology careers, and more generally build capacity in the STEM workforce;
• development and study of innovations for teaching and learning (e.g., curricula, assessments, professional learning resources, technologies, media, etc.) for any STEM field;
• investigations of teaching and learning processes, including cognitive, motivational, or social aspects of learning;
• development and use of advanced research methods and analytical frameworks and tools, such as data science methods and machine learning, to study learning at scale or in complex learning environments; and
• the study of deeper learning and more effective teaching to create opportunities for all Americans everywhere.

Other information:

Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitting organization's local time): Proposals Accepted Anytime

Important Information And Revision Notes
The following solicitations are currently archived. Investigators who would have applied to these programs are particularly encouraged to consider NSF STEM K-12.

• Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL)
• Computer Science for All (CSforAll)
• Discovery Research PreK-12 (DRK-12)
• Translation and Diffusion (TD)

Investigators who would typically submit to the EDU Core Research (ECR) solicitation for research in K-12 and informal settings are encouraged to apply to NSF STEM K-12. ECR will only accept proposals for DUE and DGE focused projects.

Award: Suggested ranges for funding requests of STEM K-12 proposals under this solicitation are as follows: (1) Research and/or Development proposals: $350,000 to $750,000 with a duration of two to three years; and (2) Conference proposals: $25,000 to $99,000 with a duration of up to two years. Proposals that contain budgets significantly beyond these ranges may be returned without review.