Texas · Federal Competitive Grant

NSF STEM and Computing Partnerships

Funding

$500K - $2.5M over 3-5 years

Grade Focus

K-12

Application Due

Check nsf.gov for active solicitations

Level of Gov't

Federal Competitive

Eligibility

Lead applicants: Universities, colleges, and research institutions
Partners: K-12 school districts, ESCs, nonprofits, and industry organizations
Priority: Underserved communities, rural schools, and underrepresented populations in STEM
Applications submitted through grants.gov and nsf.gov

Program Goals

NSF has funded a series of programs supporting partnerships between universities and K-12 schools to integrate STEM and computing education. While specific program names shift across funding cycles (STEM+C, CS for All, MSP, Noyce), the core goals remain consistent: build sustainable pathways for rigorous STEM and computer science education, especially in underserved communities.

Texas universities including UT Austin, Texas A&M, Rice, and UT Dallas have partnered with districts and ESCs to win NSF STEM and computing grants. Districts can join these partnerships even when universities lead the application.

Application and Distribution

NSF solicitations for STEM and computing partnerships open at various points throughout the year. Check nsf.gov regularly for active solicitations related to STEM, K-12 computing education, and university-district partnerships. Deadlines are firm and proposals require significant lead time - plan 3-6 months ahead for a competitive application.

Grant Award Amount

Awards in this category typically range from $500,000 to $2.5 million over three to five years. Larger awards require extensive partnerships and strong evaluation components. Smaller exploratory grants ($300K-$500K) are available for early-stage research and partnership development.

Allowable Purchases

Forward Education Products for This Grant

These kits align to the learning outcomes this program funds.

micro:bit Classroom Kits — Classroom sets of programmable microcontrollers for hands-on coding and physical computing. Qualifies as K-12 CS hardware; supports standards-aligned programming instruction across grade levels.
MicroChat — AI-powered classroom learning tool that introduces students to artificial intelligence and machine learning concepts. Qualifies for AI literacy, educational technology, and computer science grant programs.
Coding for Climate Kit — Hands-on curriculum kit teaching climate science, environmental data collection, and coding-based problem-solving. Aligns with STEM and environmental literacy grants; cross-curricular science and CS integration.

Keep in Mind

Find a university partner first

NSF partnership grants require higher education institutions as lead applicants. Connect with a Texas university education research center before developing a proposal. UT Austin, Texas A&M, and UT Dallas all have active STEM education research programs.

Research component is required

NSF awards are grants for research, not implementation only. Your proposal must include a rigorous evaluation plan examining how the program affects student outcomes and teacher practice.

Proposal development takes time

A competitive NSF proposal requires 3-6 months of development. Start by attending NSF webinars, reading prior funded abstracts on nsf.gov, and connecting with your regional NSF program officer.

Broader impacts matter

NSF evaluates proposals on both intellectual merit and broader impacts. Clearly describe how your partnership will build long-term capacity in your community beyond the grant period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for NSF STEM and Computing Partnerships in Texas?

Higher education institutions, school districts, and community organizations can apply. NSF STEM and computing partnership grants require collaborative teams. Texas universities serve as lead applicants while K-12 districts participate as implementation partners. Individual schools cannot apply on their own. Lead applicants: Universities, colleges, and research institutions Partners: K-12 school districts, ESCs, nonprofits, and industry organizations Priority: Underserved communities, rural scho

How much funding is available through NSF STEM and Computing Partnerships?

$500K - $2.5M over 3-5 years. Check the current program guidelines for the latest award ranges and allocation details.

Can NSF STEM and Computing Partnerships funds be used for STEM and coding tools?

Yes. NSF STEM and Computing Partnerships funds can support hands-on STEM materials, physical computing kits, and coding curriculum when they align to the program's stated goals. Document alignment to program objectives before purchasing.

How do schools apply for NSF STEM and Computing Partnerships?

How can Forward Education help with NSF STEM and Computing Partnerships funding?

Forward Education provides curriculum alignment documents, official pricing letters for grant budgets, and letters of support for Texas schools. Our STEM kits are purpose-built to meet the learning outcomes NSF STEM and Computing Partnerships funds. Contact us before submitting your application.

Grant Support

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 — TEKS, Common Core, and state 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

Talk to Our Team

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