Advancing Informal STEM Learning | 20 607

Opportunity Information: Apply for 20 607

The Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program is a National Science Foundation (NSF) discretionary grant opportunity focused on improving how people of all ages engage with STEM outside of traditional classrooms. The core aim is to strengthen both the practice and the evidence base behind informal STEM learning by supporting the design, development, study, and assessment of learning experiences that happen in places like museums, science centers, libraries, community organizations, afterschool programs, media environments, online platforms, and other public-facing settings. AISL emphasizes not only creating engaging STEM experiences, but also generating credible knowledge about what works, for whom, and under what conditions, so that the field can make measurable progress over time.

A central theme of AISL is broadening access and participation. Projects are expected to provide multiple pathways that invite and sustain engagement in STEM for diverse audiences, including groups that have historically been underserved or excluded from STEM learning opportunities. In practice, this can involve culturally responsive design, partnerships with community-based organizations, accessible program formats, and research methods that pay close attention to context and equity. The program also highlights innovation in both learning experience design and in the research and evaluation approaches used to understand informal learning outcomes, such as interest development, identity, motivation, sensemaking, and ongoing participation in STEM-related activities.

AISL supports six distinct project types, allowing applicants to propose work that matches their stage of development and intended impact. Pilots and Feasibility Studies fund early-stage ideas that test whether a concept is workable and worth scaling. Research in Service to Practice supports research that directly responds to practical needs in the field, producing findings that practitioners can apply. Innovations in Development focuses on designing and refining new informal STEM learning resources, tools, or models, typically with iterative testing and improvement. Broad Implementation supports taking well-developed approaches to scale, reaching larger audiences or multiple sites while continuing to study effectiveness. Literature Reviews, Syntheses, or Meta-Analyses fund efforts to consolidate and interpret existing research to identify trends, gaps, and actionable conclusions. Conferences support convenings that build shared understanding, coordinate field-wide agendas, or accelerate collaboration and dissemination.

From the source details provided, this opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Title "Advancing Informal STEM Learning" with Funding Opportunity Number 20-607. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the funding activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development, listed under CFDA number 47.076. The agency is the National Science Foundation. The posted creation date is August 29, 2020, with an original closing date of January 12, 2021. The award ceiling is up to $3,000,000, and the opportunity anticipated making about 85 awards. Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to many entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full solicitation text.

Overall, AISL is designed for organizations and partners that want to build and study high-quality STEM learning experiences in informal settings, with a strong expectation that funded work will contribute to both practical improvements and generalizable knowledge. The program is structured to support everything from early feasibility testing to large-scale implementation, as well as field-building activities like evidence syntheses and convenings, all aimed at expanding public engagement with STEM and strengthening the research base behind informal STEM learning.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing Informal STEM Learning" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.076.
• This funding opportunity was created on Aug 29, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 12, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 85 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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