Advanced Technological Education

The Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program of the National Science Foundation supports the education and development of technicians for the high-technology sectors that drive the United States economy. Administered by the NSF Directorate for STEM Education within the Division of Undergraduate Education, ATE focuses on strengthening two-year institutions of higher education and the pathways linking secondary schools, community colleges, and four-year institutions to meet workforce demand for skilled technical labor. The program encourages partnerships among academia, industry, and economic development entities to design curricula that reflect current and emerging technological practices. Established in 1992, ATE continues to advance technician preparation in disciplines such as advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, energy and environmental technologies, information and security systems, and micro- and nano-technologies. ATE’s funding scope includes four major tracks: Small Scale Projects (up to $475,000 over three years), Projects (up to $1 million over three years), Consortia for Innovations in Technician Education ($1.2–$3 million over three to four years), and Centers ($7.5 million over five years, renewable once). Approximately $74 million is anticipated for FY 2025 to support 45 to 80 new awards. Eligible activities include curriculum and educational materials development, professional development for faculty and teachers, career pathway design, research on technician education, and center-level initiatives that provide national leadership in specific technical fields. Funds may cover personnel, instrumentation (up to $300,000 unless justified), evaluation, travel, and conferences. Voluntary cost sharing is prohibited and indirect cost limitations follow the NSF Proposal & Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Proposals may be submitted by U.S. two- and four-year institutions of higher education (including community colleges), non-profit non-academic organizations, for-profit U.S. companies, state and local governments, and federally recognized tribal nations. Two-year colleges and their faculty must play significant leadership roles in all projects. There is no limit on the number of proposals per organization or PI. Projects must include a coherent evaluation plan aligned with stated goals and objectives, and must address institutional sustainability beyond the NSF funding period. All ATE recipients are required to participate in annual surveys and archive digital resources with ATE Central. Applications are submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov by 5 p.m. local time on the first Thursday in October each year (October 3, 2024 for the current cycle). Letters of Intent are not required. Proposals must include a project summary, description (max 15 pages), references cited, budget and justification, biosketches, and letters of collaboration. For Centers, a letter of institutional commitment from the chief academic officer is mandatory. Evaluators must be independent of the project team and listed under Other Personnel Biographical Information. All proposals undergo panel review based on NSF criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, with additional program-specific factors such as workforce alignment and institutional support. Award notifications are typically issued within six months of the deadline, subject to available funds. Standard and continuing grants apply NSF award conditions and reporting requirements, including annual progress and final reports through Research.gov. The program is recurring annually and remains open to institutions nationwide. Inquiries may be directed to ate-prog@nsf.gov or (703) 292-7253 at the National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314.