Ohio · Federal Grant

NSF ITEST: Innovative Technology Experiences (Ohio)

NSF's ITEST program funds Ohio projects that increase student engagement in STEM through authentic technology experiences, connecting students to real-world technology work and STEM career pathways in Ohio's growing tech economy.

Funding

$500,000–$1,200,000

Eligibility

Ohio universities, nonprofits, and school districts (partnerships)

Grade Focus

K-12

Subject

STEM / Technology / CS

Deadline

Annual NSF solicitation

Type

Federal Grant

About This Grant

NSF ITEST supports authentic technology experiences that spark STEM career interest. In Ohio, the program aligns naturally with the state's manufacturing and technology economy. Columbus's growing tech sector, Cleveland's healthcare technology ecosystem, and Ohio's strong manufacturing base all provide industry partner opportunities for ITEST proposals.

ITEST projects in Ohio might place students in internships at Columbus tech companies, partner with Ohio manufacturers for engineering design challenges, or develop curriculum using real industrial data. The authentic, industry-connected learning experience is what distinguishes ITEST from other STEM education grants.

Ohio's demographics — urban-rural divides, significant Appalachian communities, and large African-American and Hispanic student populations in cities — give ITEST proposals strong equity narratives. Broadening participation in Ohio's STEM economy is a compelling research and practice focus for ITEST projects.

View NSF ITEST: Innovative Technology Experiences (Ohio) →

Eligibility

Ohio universities and research institutions as lead applicants
Partnerships with K-12 schools, districts, or informal education organizations in Ohio
Industry partners (Ohio tech companies, manufacturers, STEM employers) strongly encouraged
Projects demonstrating clear STEM career awareness or workforce development outcomes

Allowable Uses

Physical computing hardware (coding kits, micro:bits, robotics)
CS and AI literacy curriculum
Teacher professional development
Industry partner engagement, internship coordination, and career exploration activities

Forward Education Products for This Grant

Forward Education offers classroom-ready kits that align with Ohio CS standards and fit cleanly into grant budgets. All kits include teacher guides and curriculum.

micro:bit Starter Kit — Entry-level physical computing, perfect for introducing coding and computational thinking.
MicroChat AI Literacy Kit — Hands-on AI literacy curriculum covering machine learning concepts for K-12 classrooms.
Coding for Good Kit — Project-based learning kit connecting coding skills to real-world community challenges.
micro:bit Robotics Kit — Advanced robotics and engineering challenges for deeper CS exploration.

Keep in Mind

Recruit an Ohio tech company or manufacturer as a formal project partner — industry connection is central to ITEST.
Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati each have tech ecosystems with employers who make good ITEST partners.
ITEST values authentic technology use: ensure students work with real tools, real data, and real-world problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes ITEST different from other NSF education grants?

ITEST emphasizes authentic technology experiences and career pathways, requiring industry partnerships and real-world application as core program elements.

Can a Columbus nonprofit lead an ITEST proposal?

Nonprofits can lead ITEST proposals but should have strong research capacity. University-nonprofit partnerships are common.

How long do ITEST projects run?

Typical ITEST projects run three to five years, allowing for development, implementation, and research.

Can physical computing kits be used in ITEST programs?

Yes. Micro:bits and coding kits are excellent ITEST tools when students use them to solve real-world Ohio problems.

How can Forward Education help?

We provide curriculum alignment documents mapped to Ohio CS standards, pricing letters for grant budgets, and letters of support for qualifying applications. Reach out before you apply.