The EDU Core Research: Building Capacity in STEM Education Research (ECR: BCSER) program, offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), seeks to expand and enhance the capacity of individuals to conduct high-quality STEM education research. This initiative falls under the NSF's Directorate for STEM Education and is managed by the Division of Graduate Education, Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM, Division of Undergraduate Education, and Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings. The program’s core mission is to support a robust research community that can contribute meaningfully to STEM learning, promote inclusive participation in STEM fields, and foster workforce development.
ECR: BCSER funds three primary types of projects: Individual Investigator Development (IID), Institutes for Methods and Practices (IMP), and well-focused conferences (CONF). IID awards are divided into two categories: those for investigators experienced in STEM education research and those new to the field. These projects must include self-assessments, detailed professional development plans, and a research agenda aligned with core NSF educational priorities. IMP awards fund institutes that offer advanced methodological training, while CONF awards support conferences that align with ECR: BCSER’s objectives, such as transitioning from discipline-based to education research or enhancing future research capabilities.
Proposals are submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov and must comply with NSF’s Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Proposal titles should begin with “BCSER.” All proposals must address human subjects' concerns and obtain IRB approval or exemption. IID proposals must include a mentorship plan (for new investigators), detailed objectives, a rationale for chosen mentors or advisory boards, and a clear alignment with broader research goals. IMP and CONF proposals must outline training methodologies, curriculum details, participant demographics, evaluation strategies, and include an emphasis on inclusion and mentorship.
Eligibility for this grant is broad, allowing submissions from any category identified in the PAPPG except for unaffiliated individuals. There is no limit on the number of proposals per organization or individual. The program strongly encourages submissions from individuals of underrepresented backgrounds and faculty at minority-serving and two-year institutions.
The program provides a total anticipated funding of approximately $12 million, with up to 29 awards expected annually. Funding caps vary by track: $350,000 over three years for IID, up to $1,000,000 for IMP, and between $25,000 and $100,000 for CONF projects. No cost-sharing is allowed, and indirect cost limitations do not apply. The next full proposal deadline is the fourth Friday in February each year, and the program does not operate on a rolling basis.
Evaluation of proposals will be based on NSF’s standard merit review criteria: intellectual merit and broader impacts. Proposals must present a well-reasoned plan, demonstrate investigator qualifications, and specify success metrics. For additional support or inquiries, applicants may contact the ECR: BCSER Lead Program Officer at (703) 292-7303 or email ECRBCSER@nsf.gov.
