NSF STEM K-12 Grants (NSF 25-545)
Eligibility
US universities and colleges partnering with K-12 schools or districts. Tennessee higher education institutions and K-12 partners are eligible.
Program Goals
NSF STEM K-12 funds partnerships between university researchers and K-12 schools to bring cutting-edge STEM research into classrooms. Graduate students serve as STEM Fellows in K-12 schools, connecting research to curriculum.
Read the GrantApplication and Distribution
Applications submitted by universities through NSF FastLane or Research.gov. K-12 schools are partners in the application. Check nsf.gov for current solicitation deadlines.
Cycle Notes
Annual competitive NSF program. Check nsf.gov for the NSF 25-545 solicitation and deadline.
Grant Award Amount
Awards of $350,000 to $750,000 over multiple years for university-K12 STEM partnerships.
Allowable Purchases
Forward Education Products for This Grant
These kits align to the learning outcomes this program funds.
- Coding for Good Kit — an all-in-one coding, robotics, and AI literacy toolkit using micro:bit to design solutions to real-world challenges
- Climate Action Kit — a beginner-friendly STEM kit combining micro:bit sensors to code solutions for climate change and sustainability
- Forward Education Learning Platform — curriculum-aligned STEM lessons, coding tutorials, career profiles, and PD courses
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for NSF STEM K-12 grants?
US universities partnering with K-12 schools. Tennessee schools partner with a university applicant.
How much does NSF STEM K-12 fund?
$350,000 to $750,000 over multiple years.
How do Tennessee schools get involved with NSF STEM K-12?
Partner with a Tennessee university (UT, MTSU, Vanderbilt, etc.) and be named in their NSF application.
What do STEM Fellows do in K-12 schools?
Graduate students serve as STEM Fellows bringing research experiences into classrooms.
How can Forward Education help with NSF STEM K-12 partnerships?
Our kits support the hands-on STEM instruction that NSF STEM K-12 partnerships build.
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 — Tennessee 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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