New Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) Solicitation

NSF has released a new solicitation for proposals for the Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program. Full proposals are due September 5, 2017 at 5 p.m. in the submitter's localtime.

To learn more about this funding opportunity, view the complete solicitation on the NSF website.

The Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program supports projects that advance the knowledge base and increase capacity within the professional communities of researchers, scientists, and educators who support STEM learning and education pathways to occupations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and information and communications technologies (ICT). Through funds provided by revenue from the federal H-1B visa program, the ITEST program supports research on the development, implementation, and selective spread of innovative strategies for engaging students in experiences that: (1) increase awareness among students of STEM and ICT occupations; (2) motivate students to pursue appropriate education pathways to STEM and ICT occupations; or (3) provide students with technology-rich experiences that develop disciplinarybased knowledge and practices, or promote critical thinking, reasoning, or communication skills needed for entering STEM and ICT workforce sectors.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is charged with promoting the vitality of the nation's science and engineering research and education enterprises. The ITEST program contributes to that mission by supporting projects having the potential to inform how the nation prepares increasingly diverse populations of students for rapidly changing occupations in STEM fields. In an effort to identify the most promising strategies to meet this challenge, the ITEST program supports a broad array of projects that explore innovative approaches to achieving STEM workforce priorities and show promise of: (1) engaging participants in rich experiences with STEM technologies or practices; and (2) advancing knowledge on how best to prepare students for STEM occupations. The research and development goals of the ITEST program support efforts by the Directorate for Education & Human Resources (EHR) to expand research foundations in STEM learning and learning environments, workforce development, and broadening participation in STEM. ITEST projects may be embedded within the formal learning environments of schools, within informal learning environments after school or away from schools, or in blended programs that link formal and informal learning environments.

The ITEST program supports projects that broaden the participation of students within populations currently underrepresented in STEM fields, including women, African Americans/Blacks, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Native Pacific Islanders, English language learners, veterans, students with disabilities, and socioeconomically disadvantaged students. Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (NSF INCLUDES) is an initiative aimed at enhancing U. S. leadership in STEM discovery and innovation through commitment to diversity, inclusion, and broadening participation in STEM fields. The ITEST program advances the mission of NSF INCLUDES to develop talent from all sectors of society and nurture a new generation of promising STEM talent and leadership to secure the nation's future in STEM and ICT fields.