DR K-12 Solicitation

Now available! NSF's DR K-12 Solicitation

Proposal Deadline: December 7, 2015

Synopsis: The Discovery Research PreK-12 program (DRK-12) seeks to significantly enhance the learning and teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by PreK-12 students and teachers, through research and development of STEM education innovations and approaches. Projects in the DRK-12 program build on fundamental research in STEM education and prior research and development efforts that provide theoretical and empirical justification for proposed projects. Projects should result in research-informed and field-tested outcomes and products that inform teaching and learning. Teachers and students who participate in DRK-12 studies are expected to enhance their understanding and use of STEM content, practices and skills.

DRK-12 invites proposals that address immediate challenges that are facing preK-12 STEM education as well as those that anticipate radically different structures and functions of preK 12 teaching and learning. The DRK-12 program has three major research and development strands: (1) Assessment; (2) Learning; and (3) Teaching.  The program recognizes the synergy among the three strands and that there is some overlap among them. However, PIs should identify a clear focus of the proposed research efforts (i.e., assessment, learning, or teaching) consistent with the proposal’s main objectives and research questions. The program supports five types of projects: (1) Exploratory, (2) Design and Development, (3) Impact, (4) Implementation and Improvement, and (5) Conferences and Syntheses.  All five types of projects apply to each of the three DRK-12 strands.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND REVISION NOTES (Revisions to this Solicitation):
1.Replaces the Implementation Strand with two new types of proposals: Impact Studies and Implementation and Improvement Studies.

2.Clarifies the description of what is meant by Exploratory and Full Design and Development proposals and emphasizes thatthe research and development plans are integral to the project.

3.Creates three levels of funding.

4.Clarifies the name of the program to highlight that the program accepts proposals on formal early childhood education.

Any proposal submitted in response to this solicitation should be submitted in accordance with the revised NSF Proposal & AwardPolicies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 15 -1), which is effective for proposals submitted, or due, on or after December 26,2014. The PAPPG is consistent with, and, implements the new Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and AuditRequirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) (2 CFR § 200)