Math and Science Partnerships Program
Grant: Math and Science Partnerships Program
Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Division: Undergraduate Education
Deadline: There are two deadlines to this funding opportunity. Deadlines for the Targeted Partnership proposals are March 5, 2012 and again on December 18, 2012. Research Evaluation and Technical Assistance (RETA) project proposals, including STEM Education Resource Collaboratory, are due March 5, 2012. All other RETA proposals are due December 18, 2012.
Description: The purpose of the Math and Science Partnership (MSP) program is to support innovative partnerships to improve K-12 student achievement in mathematics and science. NSF seeks to support five types of partnership projects: Targeted Partnerships, Institute Partnerships - Teacher Institutes for the 21st Century, MSP-Start Partnerships, Phase II and Research, Evaluation and Technical Assistance (RETA) projects. Review the program notice for a description of each partnership type.
All partnership projects will incorporate the following key features to some degree:
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Partnership-Driven - Core partners are deeply engaged in the effort at both the institutional and individual levels, and share goals, responsibilities and accountability for the project.
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Teacher Quality, Quantity and Diversity - Partnerships enhance and sustain the quality, quantity and diversity of K-12 teachers of mathematics and/or the sciences.
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Challenging Courses and Curricula - Partnerships ensure that K-12 students are prepared for, have access to and are encouraged to participate and succeed in challenging courses and curricula that enable them to develop a deeper understanding of mathematics and/or the sciences.
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Evidence-Based Design and Outcomes - The project's theory of action and design should be aligned and informed by current research and studies on teaching and learning.
- Institutional Change and Sustainability - To ensure the sustainability of project work, K-20 core partner organizations redirect resources and design and implement new policies and procedures that result in well-documented, comprehensive and coordinated institutional change at both the college/university and the local school district levels.
Currently, NSF is only accepting applications in two of the MSP program areas: Targeted Partnership awards and RETA projects. Targeted Partnership awards will be granted in the Implementation and Prototype categories. RETA projects must relate to sustainability, policies or state plans for STEM education; technical assistance for evaluators of MSP projects; and the STEM Education Resource Collaboratory. A greater description of these program requirements can be found within the program guidelines.
Fit for public broadcasting: These projects involve strong teacher training components, in some cases, using video and online learning in partnership with K-12 institutions. Those of you already working in this field should know about this well funded initiative.
Eligibility: Nonprofits, institutions of higher education, state governments and local governments are eligible to apply. Please review the eligibility section of the program notice for complete information on eligible partnerships.
Anticipated funding: Approximately $55 million will be divided across an estimated 15-22 awards.
How to apply: Proposers should prepare and submit all proposals through the NSF FastLane system or Grants.gov. Review the proposal preparation and submission instructions section of the program notice for specific application requirements. With the exception of RETA proposals for the STEM Education Resource Collaboratory, any proposal to the MSP Program should be a single submission that includes support for all partners requesting funding from NSF.
Detailed instructions regarding the technical aspects of proposal preparation and submission via FastLane are available here.
If you are new to Grants.gov, you can learn how to get registered here.
Resources:
Program notice
Program website
NSF offered five webinars for proposals that will be submitted for the December 18, 2012 deadline. Each addressed one of the five focal areas highlighted in the program notice. You can view each webinar through the NSF program page.
