IUSE: Innovation in Two-Year College STEM Education

The Innovation in Two-Year College STEM Education (ITYC) program, administered by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), is designed to support the enhancement of STEM education at accredited two-year colleges in the United States. NSF, an independent federal agency dedicated to promoting the progress of science, aims to foster inclusive and high-quality undergraduate education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through this initiative. The ITYC program is aligned with the NSF’s broader Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) framework and strives to ensure that students and faculty at two-year institutions have access to the resources necessary to contribute meaningfully to the STEM workforce and research community. The primary objectives of the ITYC program are to center students in innovation efforts within STEM education and to build institutional capacity for long-term impact. These goals are supported through two funding tracks: one focused on the academic experiences of students and the other on institutional strengths and innovation. Eligible projects may involve transforming STEM gateway courses, introducing authentic research and experiential learning opportunities, developing culturally responsive pedagogical practices, building professional development programs for faculty, and forming inter-institutional or community-based partnerships. Each proposal must originate from an accredited two-year institution classified as either an Associate’s College or a Baccalaureate/Associate’s College. Proposals may be collaborative, with other institutions such as four-year universities or professional organizations involved as subawardees, but the two-year college must serve as the lead applicant. The program encourages proposals from institutions that have not received NSF funding in the past five years by offering an increased maximum award and longer duration. The funding scope includes up to $500,000 for standard projects lasting three years, and up to $600,000 for institutions eligible for the additional funding incentive, allowing for a four-year project. Funding may be used for developing instructional materials, equipment purchases (up to 30% of the budget), evaluation, faculty stipends, professional development, and student stipends. Cost-sharing or matching is not required or allowed. Equipment requests must be well-justified and directly support student learning. Projects must also include external evaluation, sustainability planning, and dissemination strategies targeting broad audiences. Proposals must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov by the second Wednesday in December annually, with the next full application due December 10, 2025. A letter of intent or preliminary proposal is not required, but planning and conference proposals may be submitted year-round after consultation with a program officer. All applications must align with the NSF’s Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and should clearly outline goals, evaluation methods, project timelines, and dissemination plans. The program evaluates proposals based on NSF's merit review criteria, including intellectual merit and broader impacts, along with solicitation-specific review criteria that focus on understanding and serving the unique student populations at two-year institutions. Interested applicants can direct questions to the NSF at [email protected] or by phone at (703) 292-8670. Technical support for submissions is also available through Research.gov and Grants.gov help desks.