NSF STEM K-12 (NSF 25-545)
Eligibility
US universities, nonprofits, and school districts in partnership with research institutions. Washington applicants must typically have a university partner. Review NSF 25-545 for full eligibility requirements.
Program Goals
NSF STEM K-12 grants fund innovative programs that connect university research with K-12 education. Projects typically involve STEM graduate students working in K-12 classrooms to bring cutting-edge science and technology learning to students. Washington universities like UW, WSU, and others regularly apply for these grants.
Read the GrantApplication and Distribution
Applications are submitted through NSF's FastLane or Research.gov system. University researchers or nonprofit partners lead the application. School districts partner as collaborators. Review the full program solicitation (NSF 25-545) for detailed requirements and deadlines.
Cycle Notes
Annual competition. Check nsf.gov for current solicitation numbers and deadlines. NSF STEM K-12 programs have evolved over time, so always review the current solicitation document.
Grant Award Amount
Awards range from $350,000 to $750,000 per year. Multi-year awards may be available. Indirect cost rates apply, which universities manage. School district partners typically receive a portion of the award for classroom materials and teacher time.
Allowable Purchases
Forward Education Products for This Grant
These kits align to the learning outcomes this program funds.
- Coding for Good Kit - Ideal for NSF projects bringing computing and robotics into K-12 classrooms through university-school partnerships.
- Climate Action Kit - Environmental and climate science kits align well with research-based STEM programs connecting university science to K-12 learning.
- Forward Education Learning Platform - Provides curriculum scaffolding that helps university researchers bring structured STEM content into K-12 classroom settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads an NSF STEM K-12 application?
University researchers or nonprofit principal investigators lead the application. K-12 schools partner as collaborators, not as lead applicants.
Can a Washington school district apply without a university partner?
Generally no. NSF STEM K-12 requires a lead institution with research capacity. K-12 districts need a university or nonprofit partner to lead the proposal.
What does NSF 25-545 fund specifically?
Review the current solicitation at nsf.gov for the exact scope. NSF program solicitations update periodically and priorities may shift between cycles.
How large are the grants?
$350,000 to $750,000 per year. These are substantial grants designed for multi-year programs with significant student and educator reach.
Which Washington universities apply for these grants?
University of Washington, Washington State University, and other research universities in the state regularly pursue NSF STEM K-12 funding.
Need Help Writing Your Grant Application?
Forward Education works with schools and districts to build strong funding proposals. We can help you connect our tools to your grant requirements.
- Curriculum alignment documents - Washington standards mapped to our kits
- Program quotes and pricing - classroom sets, bundles, and multi-site pricing
- Letters of support - documentation for grant applications
- Project ideas and scope-and-sequence - ready-to-use program outlines
Download the Forward Education Grant Guide
Our grant guide helps educators find the right funding sources and build strong applications for STEM and coding programs.
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