Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program

The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), addresses the national shortage of effective K–12 STEM educators, particularly in high-need local educational agencies (LEAs). Created through legislation such as the National Science Foundation Authorization Act and enhanced under the America COMPETES Acts, the program seeks to strengthen the U.S. educational pipeline by recruiting, preparing, and retaining exemplary STEM teachers and teacher leaders. The program encourages partnerships between higher education institutions, high-need school districts, and nonprofit organizations to create innovative teacher education and leadership development models. The Noyce Program offers five types of funding opportunities: Track 1: Scholarships and Stipends (S&S), Track 2: Teaching Fellowships (TF), Track 3: Master Teaching Fellowships (MTF), Track 4: Noyce Research, and Capacity Building. Track 1 supports undergraduate STEM majors and professionals transitioning into K–12 teaching roles by offering financial assistance in return for a commitment to teach in high-need schools. Track 2 focuses on STEM professionals pursuing master’s degrees that lead to teacher certification, coupled with four-year teaching service and leadership roles. Track 3 targets experienced K–12 teachers for leadership development, providing salary supplements and professional development. Track 4 supports research into teacher effectiveness and retention. Capacity Building funds development projects to prepare competitive proposals in any of the other tracks. The maximum funding amounts are: $1,200,000 for Track 1 over five years; $3,000,000 for Track 2 and Track 3 over five to six years; $1,000,000 for Track 4 over five years; and $100,000 for Capacity Building over one year. Additional funds may be available for collaborations with community colleges and prior or concurrent Noyce awards. At least 60% of the direct costs in Tracks 1 through 3 must support scholarships, stipends, or fellowships. Proposals must comply with NSF’s Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and are submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov. Eligibility is limited to accredited U.S. institutions of higher education and U.S. nonprofit organizations with teacher education programs. Track 4 also allows professional societies engaged in educational or research activities. Project teams must include appropriate expertise, such as faculty from both STEM and education departments. For Track 1, partnerships must include at least one IHE and one high-need LEA. Tracks 2 and 3 require additional partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. local time on the last Tuesday in August each year. The 2023 due date was August 29, 2023, and the solicitation repeats annually. Submissions must include letters of collaboration, detailed project descriptions, budget justifications, evaluation and dissemination plans, and compliance with service obligations and data reporting requirements. Institutions and individual recipients have specific obligations regarding teaching service commitments and repayment provisions if commitments are not met. Program contacts include Jennifer T. Ellis (jtellis@nsf.gov, 703-292-2125), Leah McAlister (lmcalist@nsf.gov, 703-292-8712), Olivia S. Long (olong@nsf.gov, 703-292-7897), and other program officers listed in the solicitation. Additional resources, including previously funded projects and best practices, are available at www.nsfnoyce.org. Program monitoring and reporting obligations may extend for up to 12 years following the conclusion of an award.