STEM, Education, Training

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Limiting Langauge 
Each organization may only submit one application in any given year. Applicants must decide whether they are eligible for the Top Prize Awards (Rubenstein, Kislak, American or International), or the Emerging Strategies Honorees category and choose the correct application form accordingly.

Prize Category Descriptions

• The David M. Rubenstein Prize ($150,000) is awarded to an organization, based either inside or outside the United States, which has demonstrated exceptional and sustained depth in its commitment to the advancement of literacy. The organization meets the highest standards of excellence in its operations and services. Applicants should complete the Top Prize Application Question Form for consideration for this prize.
• The Kislak Family Foundation Prize ($100,000) is awarded to an organization, based either inside or outside the United States, with an outsized impact on literacy relative to its size and/or years of operation. Applicants should complete the Top Prize Application Question Form for consideration for this prize.
• The American Prize ($50,000) is awarded to an organization based inside the United States for making a significant and measurable contribution to increasing literacy levels in the U.S. or the national awareness of the importance of literacy. Applicants should complete the Top Prize Application Question Form for consideration for this prize.
• The International Prize ($50,000) is awarded to an organization that is based either inside or outside the United States for their significant and measurable contribution to increasing literacy levels in a country other than the U.S. Applicants should complete the Top Prize Application Question Form for consideration for this prize.
• Successful Practices Honorees ($10,000/organization; up to 15 organizations) are recognized for their successful implementation of a specific literacy practice. NOTE: all applicants are automatically considered for the Successful Practices Honoree recognition. Applicants who complete the Top Prize Application Question Form will automatically be considered for this prize.
• Emerging Strategies Honorees ($5,000/organization; up to 5 organizations) are recognized for a literacy initiative in its early stages of development (5 years or fewer) that demonstrate significant creativity and promise in their approach to promoting literacy. For the 2026 application cycle, Emerging Strategies Honorees should have been established in 2021 or later. Organizations that are piloting or exploring emerging ideas are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants should complete the Emerging Strategies Application Question Form for consideration for this prize.

Request Ticket // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language
We will consider only one application from each organization. If an organization submits multiple applications, only the most recently received application that meets the deadline will be considered. If the most recent application is disqualified for any reason, we will not replace it with an earlier application.

Executive Summary
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL, or the Department, or we), announces the availability of grant funds for YouthBuild 2025. Under this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), the DOL will award grants through a competitive process to eligible public or private non-profit organizations or Tribal entities to provide pre-apprenticeship occupational skills training, education, and job placement services to disadvantaged and low-income youth. YouthBuild is a pre-apprenticeship program that prepares participants for quality jobs in various industry sectors and aligns with Executive Order 14278, “Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future,” specifically by preparing participants to enter and succeed in Registered Apprenticeships. YouthBuild also includes wrap-around supportive services such as assistance in transportation, childcare, and housing. YouthBuild programs must offer participants construction training and hands-on experiences building affordable housing for their community. Programs may also include a Construction Plus component, providing vocational training in additional high-d emand industries.

For further information or technical questions about this FOA, please contact Khanh Tran, Grants Management Specialist, Office of Grants Management, at YB_FOA-ETA-26-38@dol.gov and specifically reference FOA-ETA-26-38. This Announcement is available on the ETA website at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/grants and at https://www.grants.gov.

Apply to Internal Competition // Limit: 2 // Tickets Available: 2

Please note that this internal competition is being run on an anticipated funder deadline based on prior cycles. It is subject to update when we receive additional information from the Packard Foundation. 

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Invited institutions may submit two nominations

Overview
In 1988, the Foundation established the Packard Fellowships for Science and Engineering to allow the nation's most promising early career professors to pursue their science and engineering research with few funding restrictions and limited paperwork requirements. Disciplines that will be considered include physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, astronomy, computer science, earth science, ocean science, and all branches of engineering. Candidates engaged in research in the social sciences will not be considered.

Eligibility 
Candidates must be faculty members at one of the 50 Invited Institutions. Candidates must be eligible to serve as principal investigators engaged in research in the natural and physical sciences or engineering and must be within the first three years of their faculty careers. Disciplines that will be considered include physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, astronomy, computer science, earth science, ocean science, and all branches of engineering. Candidates engaged in research in the social sciences will not be considered.

Full guidelines are linked here. 

Institutionally Coordinated // Limit: 2 // Tickets Available: 2

This opportunity is being institutionally coordinated by Research Development Services and the Office of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives. If you are interested, please check your eligibility then contact Riley McIssac. 

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Limit on number of proposals per university: 2

About ASCENDʳ
ASCENDʳ Research is a competitively funded DOD research program that is aligned to the U.S. National Defense Science and Technology Strategy and the DOD Critical Technology Areas and part of the HSRU’s Advancing STEM Careers through Education, Networking, Development + Research (ASCENDʳ) Initiative (for more information about ASCENDʳ visit www.hsru.org) For this opportunity, research priority areas are: Advanced Materials, Human-Machine Interfaces, and Space Technology. Through this competitively funded research program, HSRU Alliance member institutions’ research strengths will be leveraged, faculty leadership development will be provided, and graduate student researchers will be integrated. This research program will have the aims to (1) expose both faculty and students to military operations and defense and national security real-world challenges, (2) deploy and enhance the research environments conducive for the successful progression and participation of the students in the process (e.g. mentoring, professional development, and financial support), and to (3) conduct research and deliver research outcomes to meet DOD technical challenges/gaps.

Eligibility 
The proposal must originate from an HSRU member institution in good standing.

1.  Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator(s) must be a Research Faculty member or Tenure/Tenure Track Faculty member that is early to mid-career, defined as within the first 8 years of their professional career.
2. The Principal Investigator must hire and integrate at least one Graduate Research Assistant for this project. The graduate assistant must be enrolled at the start of the project and maintain enrollment eligibility throughout the proposed project.
3. All PIs, Co-PIs, and the graduate assistant working on this project must be U.S. Persons, defined as U.S. born or U.S. Naturalized Citizen.b.
4. The Principal Investigator and Co-PIs must agree to jointly participate in the ASCENDʳ Leadership Program.

Program Webpage | RFP (box login required) 
 

Institutionally Coordinated // Limit: 2 // Tickets Available: 2

This opportunity is being institutionally coordinated by Research Development Services and the Office of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives. If you are interested, please contact Riley McIssac and Cody Nicholls.

Limiting Language
Limit on number of proposals per university: 2

About ASCENDR
ASCENDR Research is a competitively funded DOD research program that is aligned to the U.S. National Defense Science and Technology Strategy and the DOD Critical Technology Areas and part of the HSRU’s Advancing STEM Careers through Education, Networking, Development + Research (ASCENDR) Initiative (for more information about ASCENDR visit www.hsru.org) For this opportunity, research priority areas are: Advanced Materials, Human-Machine Interfaces, and Space Technology. Through this competitively funded research program, HSRU Alliance member institutions’ research strengths will be leveraged, faculty leadership development will be provided, and graduate student researchers will be integrated. This research program will have the aims to (1) expose both faculty and students to military operations and defense and national security real-world challenges, (2) deploy and enhance the research environments conducive for the successful progression and participation of the students in the process (e.g. mentoring, professional development, and financial support), and to (3) conduct research and deliver research outcomes to meet DOD technical challenges/gaps.

Due to application requirements, the University of Arizona is not able to participate in this opportunity.

Institutionally Coordinated // Limit: 3 // Tickets Available: 3

Upcoming office hours 12/8 from 3-4pm EST and 12/11 from 4-5pm EST - register here

This funding opportunity requires institutional coordination with Tech Launch Arizona. If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please contact Doug Hockstad.  

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The University of Arizona is eligible for tracks 3, 4, and 5 (high research translation readiness level category). For Tracks 3, 4, and 5, an eligible organization can submit a maximum of one proposal per Track. 

Track Synopses 
  
Track 3: Technology Transfer Resource Centers (RESOURCE)   

• The ART program aims to leverage the experience and resources of IHEs or non-profits with strong research translation capacity (and/or experience) to launch a network of regional Technology Transfer Resource Centers (RESOURCE) that promote regional technology transfer and technology development activities available to multiple IHEs in a region with low or emerging research capacity and little or no dedicated technology transfer or research translation resources.  A Track 3 award for a RESOURCE is expected to provide guidance, training, education, and services to other IHEs in a region who have a low RTRL. A Track 3 award is expected to be up to a total of $8 million for a duration of 4 years. Subject to availability of funds and quality of proposals, NSF plans to make up to 5 RESOURCE awards. Some awardees demonstrating strong performance, as demonstrated by successfully meeting evaluation criteria during the award, including progress toward self-sustainability, may have an opportunity to receive renewal support for up to 4 more years and additional funding of up to $2 million, subject to the availability of funds. As noted above, the lead IHE for this Track is expected to be an IHE with a very high RTRL or a non-profit with significant expertise related to technology transfer, entrepreneurship and related areas leading to sustained economic impacts.      

  Track 4: Education and Training (ET)    

• This nationally focused Track invites proposals from IHEs or non-profits with any combination of either a strong, vibrant and established research translation ecosystem, and/or demonstrated experience to develop, evaluate, and deploy educational and training resources related to entrepreneurship, technology transfer and related activities. The beneficiaries for these education and training resources to be developed will be lower RTRL IHEs located anywhere in the United States (including but not limited to Track 1 and Track 2 awardees). Track 4 awards may be budgeted up to a total of $3 million for a duration of 3 years. Subject to availability of funds and quality of proposals, NSF plans to make up to 4 ET awards. Some awardees demonstrating strong performance, as demonstrated by successfully meeting evaluation criteria during the award, including progress toward self-sustainability, may have an opportunity to receive renewal support for up to 2 more years and additional funding up to $2 million (subject to the availability of funds), to scale up the deployment and adoption of the developed resources and training materials nationally.

Track 5: Coordinating Accelerating Research Translation (CART) 

• This Track invites proposals from IHEs or non-profits for the creation of a unifying center that will facilitate the development of an integrated platform for coordinating, evaluating, and monitoring the progress being made by teams that are supported under both Tracks 1 and 2. The CART awardee would also coordinate activities to be carried out under awards pursuant to Tracks 3 and 4. The Track 5 CART cooperative agreement award may be budgeted up to a total of $3 million for a duration of 5 years. Subject to availability of funds and quality of proposals, NSF plans to make up to 2 awards under the CART Track. Some awardees demonstrating strong performance, as demonstrated by successfully meeting evaluation criteria during the award, including progress toward self-sustainability, may have an opportunity to receive renewal for up to 5 more years and additional funding up to $3 million, subject to the availability of funds. Proposals for this Track must be led by one IHE with a high RTRL with significant expertise and experience in areas related to technology transfer, intellectual property management, entrepreneurship as well as initiatives and programs directed at sustained economic and collective impacts. 

Limit: 2 // Tickets Available: 0 

B. Kim (Materials Science and Engineering)
H. Kim (Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics) 

Limiting Language
Only two nominations are allowed per institution.

Program Description
Eligibility for the Powe Awards is open to full-time assistant professors at ORAU member institutions within two years of their tenure track appointment at the time of application. If there is a question about eligibility, your ORAU Councilor makes the final determination. Only two nominations are allowed per institution.

Research must fall within one of the following five disciplines: 

• Engineering and Applied Science
• Life Sciences
• Mathematics/Computer Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Policy, Management, or Education

Limit: 2 // Tickets Available: 0 

H. Haeger (STEM Learning Center)
R. Gutenkunst (Molecular and Cellular Biology) 

Limiting Language 
Please note, in accordance to the updated eligibility criteria, the University of Arizona is only eligible for tracks 2 and 3. Per S-STEM restrictions and current U of A S-STEM projects and proposals, applicants may not target STEM students in the following disciplines: Engineering, computer science, information science. The following majors may also be excluded: Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Geosciences, Geosciences and Society, Hydrology & Atmospheric Sciences, Applied Biotechnology, Biosystems Analytics & Technology, Environmental & Water Resource Economics, Environmental Science, Microbiology, Plant Science, Sustainable Plant System, BAS Applied Computing, BAS Cyber Operations, BAS Intelligence & Information Operations

For a given S-STEM deadline, an institution may submit up to two proposals in which it will be directly involved in providing scholarships. Multiple proposals from an institution must not overlap with regard to S-STEM eligible disciplines. See Additional Eligibility Information below for more details (see IV. Eligibility Information).

Institutions with a current S-STEM award should wait at least until the end of the third year of execution of their current award before submitting a new Track 2 or Track 3 S-STEM proposal focused on students pursuing degrees in the same discipline(s).

Program Overview 
The main goal of the S-STEM program is to enable academically talented, low-income students to pursue successful careers in promising STEM fields. Ultimately, the S-STEM program seeks to increase the number of academically promising low-income students who graduate with an S-STEM eligible degree and contribute to the American innovation economy with their STEM knowledge. Recognizing that financial aid alone cannot increase retention and graduation in STEM, the program provides awards to institutions of higher education (IHEs) not only to fund scholarships, but also to adapt, implement, and study evidence-based curricular and co-curricular[a] activities that have been shown to be effective in supporting recruitment, retention, transfer (if appropriate), student success, academic/career pathways, and graduation in STEM.

To be eligible, scholars must be domestic low-income students with academic ability, talent, or potential and demonstrated unmet financial need who are enrolled in an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree program in an S-STEM eligible discipline. Proposers must provide an analysis that articulates the characteristics and academic needs of the population of students they are trying to serve. NSF is particularly interested in supporting the attainment of degrees in fields identified as critical needs for the Nation. It is up to the proposer to make a compelling case that such a field serves a critical need in the United States.

[a] an activity at a school or college pursued in addition to the normal course of study.

S-STEM Eligible Degree Programs

Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Engineering, and Associate of Applied Science

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Applied Science

Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Engineering

Doctoral (Ph.D. or other comparable doctoral degree)

S-STEM Eligible Disciplines

Disciplinary fields in which research is funded by NSF, including technology fields associated with the S-STEM-eligible disciplines (e.g., biotechnology, chemical technology, engineering technology, information technology, etc.).

The following degrees and disciplines are excluded:

• Clinical degree programs, including medical degrees, nursing, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and others not funded by NSF, are ineligible degrees.
• Programs for STEM teacher certification or licensure currently covered by the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program (NOYCE) are ineligible for S-STEM funding.
• Business school programs that lead to Bachelor of Arts or Science in Business Administration degrees (BABA/BSBA/BBA) are not eligible for S-STEM funding.
• Masters and Doctoral degrees in Business Administration are also excluded.

Proposers are strongly encouraged to contact Program Officers before submitting a proposal if they have questions concerning degree or disciplinary eligibility.

The S-STEM program particularly encourages proposals from 2-year institutions, predominately undergraduate institutions, and urban, suburban, and rural public institutions.