NSF CS for All: Research and RPPs
What This Grant Funds
The National Science Foundation's CS for All program funds research and practitioner-researcher partnerships (RPPs) to expand high-quality computer science education for all K-12 students. In Illinois, this is especially relevant given the state's CS equity goals and SB 1920 AI guidance rollout. Funded activities include curriculum development, professional learning, research on CS education effectiveness, and scaling of proven CS programs.
Who Is Eligible in Illinois
Illinois K-12 schools and districts, higher education institutions, nonprofits, and research organizations are eligible. The RPP model requires partnerships between practitioners (schools/districts) and researchers (universities). Illinois has strong university partners — UIUC, Northwestern, UChicago, and others — making RPP applications highly feasible.
Funding Amounts
Awards range from $300,000 for smaller research projects to $3 million for large-scale RPPs and implementation studies. Illinois institutions like UIUC have already secured major NSF CS/AI education funding ($20M INVITE Institute), providing models for successful applications.
How Forward Education Products Qualify
Forward Education's micro:bit physical computing kits and MicroChat AI curriculum can serve as intervention tools within an NSF CS for All research study. Partnering with an Illinois university to study the effectiveness of hands-on AI literacy tools in K-12 classrooms is an excellent fit for the RPP funding mechanism.
How to Apply and Key Deadlines
The CS for All program solicitation is released annually on NSF.gov. Applications go through NSF's Research.gov system. Key steps: identify a university research partner, align research questions to NSF priorities (equity, broadening participation, AI literacy), and submit a full proposal with detailed evaluation plan. Deadlines typically fall in spring.
Keep in Mind
NSF proposals require significant preparation — budget 3-6 months to develop a strong application. The RPP model demands genuine, ongoing collaboration between school practitioners and university researchers. Rushed applications rarely succeed. Start with a planning grant if available.
