EDU Core Research (ECR:Core)
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- 21-588
- Agency
-
National Science Foundation
- Applications due
- Award size
- $500,000 to $2,500,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Science and Technology and other Research and Development
- Eligible applicants
-
- Unrestricted
- Points of contact
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Science Foundation is soliciting applications for the EDU Core Research (ECR:Core) program to fund fundamental STEM education research with an application deadline of October 1, 2026. Applicant types are unrestricted. The program funds curiosity-driven basic research and use-inspired basic research contributing to foundational knowledge across three research areas: STEM Learning and Learning Environments, Broadening Participation in STEM fields, and STEM Workforce Development. Research may address learners of all groups and ages in formal and informal settings.
The solicitation offers three funding levels with durations of 3 to 5 years: Level I proposals may request up to $500,000; Level II proposals may request up to $1,500,000; Level III proposals may request up to $2,500,000. Applicants must justify the requested funding level and duration in the project description. All successful proposals must focus on advancement or refinement of foundational knowledge for STEM education; potential implications for improving STEM education practice may be indirect and long-term rather than direct and immediate.
The program falls under CFDA 47.076, STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources), administered by the National Science Foundation's Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov with project narratives limited to 15 pages, data management plans to 2 pages, budget justifications to 5 pages, and all attachments in PDF format with embedded fonts. NSF recommends initiating submission at least five business days before the October 1 deadline. Applicant organizations must maintain valid System for Award Management registration and Unique Entity Identifiers; all applicants must register with NSF and establish NSF accounts before submission.
Synopsis
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
The EDU Core Research (ECR) program offers this ECR:Core solicitation and invites proposals for fundamental research (curiosity-driven basic research and use-inspired basic research) that contributes to the general, explanatory knowledge that underlies STEM education in one or more of the three broadly conceived Research Areas: Research on STEM Learning and Learning Environments, Research on Broadening Participation in STEM fields, and Research on STEM Workforce Development. Within this framework, the ECR program supports a wide range of fundamental STEM education research activities, aimed at learners of all groups and ages in formal and informal settings.
Fundamental research generates knowledge and understanding with the potential for broad relevance. The potential implications of ECR fundamental research for improving STEM education practice may be indirect and long-term rather than direct and immediate. Moreover, whether they include basic or use-inspired basic research, all successful ECR:Core proposals focus on the advancement or refinement of foundational knowledge for STEM education.
The amount of funding and duration requested in proposals submitted to the ECR:Core solicitation should align with the maturity of the proposed work and the size and scope of the empirical effort. The solicitation has three levels of funding with a range of budget sizes, and proposals may request a duration of 3 to 5 years for any level: (1) Level I proposals may request up to $500,000; (2) Level II proposals may request up to $1,500,000; (3) Level III proposals may request up to $2,500,000. All proposals should justify the level of funding and duration in the project description.
Update #1 ·
The EDU Core Research (ECR) program offers this ECR:Core solicitation and invites proposals for fundamental research (curiosity-driven basic research and use-inspired basic research) that contributes to the general, explanatory knowledge that underlies STEM education in one or more of the three broadly conceived Research Areas: Research onSTEM Learning and Learning Environments, Research on Broadening Participation in STEM fields, andResearch on STEM Workforce Development. Within this framework, the ECR program supports a wide range of fundamental STEM education research activities, aimed at learners of all groups and ages in formal and informal settings. Fundamental researchgenerates knowledge and understanding with the potential for broad relevance. The potential implications of ECR fundamental research for improving STEM education practice may be indirect and long-term rather than direct and immediate. Moreover, whether they include basic or use-inspired basic research, all successful ECR:Core proposals focus on the advancement or refinement of foundational knowledge for STEM education. The amount of funding and duration requested in proposals submitted to the ECR:Core solicitation should align with the maturity of the proposed work and the size and scope of the empirical effort. The solicitation has three levels of funding with a range of budget sizes, and proposals may request a duration of 3 to 5 years for any level: (1)Level I proposals may request up to $500,000; (2)Level II proposals may request up to $1,500,000; (3)Level III proposalsmay request up to $2,500,000. All proposals should justify the level of funding and duration in the project description.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| PKG00292808.pdf |
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