Computer Science for All

The Computer Science for All (CSforAll: Research and RPPs) program from the National Science Foundation (NSF) aims to expand access to computer science (CS) and computational thinking (CT) education for all preK-12 students in the United States. Administered through both the Directorate for STEM Education and the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering, this initiative emphasizes both foundational research and research-practice partnerships (RPPs) to develop, pilot, and scale educational strategies, instructional materials, and professional development that promote equitable participation in CS and CT. CSforAll supports four project strands: PreK-8, High School, PreK-12 Pathways, and Research. The first three require RPPs and focus on curriculum integration, teacher support, and system-wide pathway development respectively. These strands aim to support underrepresented groups and ensure sustainable and scalable implementation. The Research strand invites traditional research proposals that explore effective learning and teaching in CS and CT. All projects must significantly address broadening participation in computing, particularly among historically underrepresented or underserved populations. The solicitation allows for various project sizes within the RPP strands: Small RPPs (up to $300,000 for 2 years), Medium RPPs (up to $1 million for 3 years), and Large RPPs (up to $2 million for 4 years). Research strand proposals may request up to $750,000 for up to 3 years. Proposals must clearly identify their strand and size class, articulate research questions, implementation plans, dissemination strategies, and include rigorous evaluation, preferably through external reviewers or advisory boards. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based accredited institutions of higher education, nonprofit non-academic organizations, and federally recognized tribal nations. Proposals must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov and must adhere to NSF’s Proposal and Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). No cost sharing is required or allowed. Key components include Human Subjects compliance documentation, structured project summaries, keywords, evaluation plans, and a comprehensive list of project personnel. Applications are due annually, with the next deadlines being June 4, 2024, and February 12, 2025, and continuing on the second Wednesday in February annually thereafter. Estimated funding for the program is $20 million annually, supporting approximately 27 awards. Review criteria focus on intellectual merit, broader impacts, and specific criteria for addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in computing education. Recipients must maintain a project website, attend annual PI meetings, and contribute to program-wide evaluations. Primary contacts for the program include Allyson Kennedy, Fengfeng Ke, Jeffrey Forbes, Michael Ford, and Margaret Hjalmarson. General inquiries can be sent to CSFORALLRPP@nsf.gov. Additional resources, including example curricula and RPP best practices, are available through NSF’s CSforAll program page and affiliated educational networks.