WIDENING IMPLEMENTATION & DEMONSTRATION OF EVIDENCE-BASED REFORMS

Grant: Widening Implementation & Demonstration of Evidence-Based Reforms
Agency: National Science Foundation
Division: Directorate for Education & Human Resources Division of Undergraduate Education
Deadline: July 3, 2013

Description: Under the Widening Implementation & Demonstration of Evidence-Based Reforms (WIDER) grant program, the National Science Foundation (NSF) seeks proposals for projects that improve STEM education practices at a large scale. The goal of WIDER is to transform institutions of higher education into supportive environments for STEM faculty members to substantially increase their use of evidence-based teaching and learning practices. For the purposes of this grant, STEM teaching and learning include not only instructional practices in traditional learning environments, but also modern laboratory methods and field research, proven distance education methods and improved approaches to motivating student interest in STEM.

All proposed projects are expected to improve student learning; increase the numbers of students choosing STEM majors, particularly from demographic groups; and improve retention in the first two years of undergraduate study. Applicants may further direct their proposal towards one of the four grant types under which applications may be submitted. These include:

• Planning Grants support projects that develop a strategic approach for leveraging plans to increase institutional commitment to evidence-based teaching and learning. Single institutions or groups of collaborating institutions are encouraged to apply here.
• Institutional Implementation Grants support projects that increase the level of evidence-based teaching and learning, and cover multiple STEM departments or disciplines. Single institutions are encouraged to apply here.
• Community Implementation Grants support projects focused on a single STEM discipline. An acceptable project may include offering faculty professional development using innovative online courses such as Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Consortia of multiple institutions of higher education, disciplinary societies, and college and university associations are encouraged to apply here.
• Research grants support projects that develop greater understanding of how to change the culture of higher education by placing very high value on undergraduate student achievement in STEM within single institutions or more broadly.

Be sure to reference the program notice for more detailed instructions on what is expected from the grantee, the different funding categories and examples of acceptable activities.

By definition, the WIDER program is a research and development initiative. All submitted proposals must include evaluation and dissemination components. Projects should contribute to the knowledge base and grantees are expected to address how they plan to effect desirable changes in undergraduate STEM education.

Fit for Public Broadcasting: Stations will find a natural fit as partners here. University licensees and other stations who already maintain established relations with institutions of higher education should considering partner on a Community Implementation grant proposal. These grants can support professional development activities with a focus on existing research on innovative techniques. Stations may find a natural fit here as conveners, disseminators of information and content providers. Distance learning opportunities through online courses and the popular Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are directly mentioned by name in the program notice as potential activities. University licensees, especially those with a vested interest in STEM and professional development, are encouraged to participate.  

Eligibility: Eligible entities include universities and colleges; nonprofit, non-academic organizations; for profit organizations; state and local governments; unaffiliated individuals; and foreign organizations.

While those listed above are eligible to apply, this is an education-focused program. NSF strongly encourages primary applicants to be institutions of higher education and/or affiliated organizations.  Stations are encouraged to partner with such entities on a project.

Anticipated Funding: Applicants may submit proposals under four different categories, all of which have different funding levels. Up to 20 Planning Grants will be made at a maximum of $250,000 each to last over two years. Up to 12 Institutional Implementation Grants will be made for a maximum of $2 million each over a three year period. Up to 12 Community Implementation Grants will be made for a maximum of $750,000 each over a three year period. Finally, up to 10 Research Grants will be made for a maximum of $500,000 each over a four year period.

How to Apply: Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov or the NSF FastLane System. The Grant Proposal Guide for the FastLane system is found, here. Online submission requires registration, a process that usually takes three to five business days but can take as long as four weeks. Be sure to access these platforms and begin registering well in advance of the grant deadline.

Resources:
Program Notice
Program Website
Recent Grantees