EHR Core Research: Building Capacity in STEM Education Research (ECR: BCSER)

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Directorate for STEM Education, supports the EDU Core Research: Building Capacity in STEM Education Research (ECR: BCSER) program. This initiative is intended to build the capacity of investigators to conduct rigorous STEM education research. The NSF is a federal agency established by Congress in 1950 with the mission of promoting the progress of science and advancing national health, prosperity, and welfare. It serves as a primary source of federal support for basic research in STEM disciplines. The ECR: BCSER program targets the enhancement of research capabilities in three key areas: STEM learning and learning environments, broadening participation in STEM, and development of the STEM workforce. The program funds three types of projects: Individual Investigator Development (IID), Institutes for Methods and Practices (IMP), and Conference proposals. IID proposals support researchers in acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge for high-quality STEM education research. IMP proposals support institutes that provide methodological training in STEM education research. Conference proposals support the organization of focused events that align with ECR: BCSER goals. Each type of proposal has specific requirements. IID proposals must include a well-defined research interest area, a professional development plan, a self-assessment, and a mentoring structure. Experienced researchers must frame their projects around fundamental STEM education research, while new researchers must build their capacity through structured mentoring and training. IMP proposals must describe a robust curriculum, the scope of activities, participant recruitment strategies, and evaluation methods. Conference proposals must outline a conceptual framework, draft agenda, participant list, expected outcomes, and alignment with ECR: BCSER objectives. Eligible applicants include entities outlined in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide. Unaffiliated individuals may not apply. IID proposals do not permit co-principal investigators. The program does not impose limits on the number of proposals per organization or individual. Applications must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov. Letters of Intent and preliminary proposals are not required. Full proposals are due annually on the fourth Friday in February. Projects may not be submitted through FastLane. Budgets must include funds for attendance at a two-day recipients’ meeting in Washington, D.C. Cost sharing is prohibited. Awards are anticipated in the forms of standard or continuing grants with an estimated total funding of $12,000,000 and approximately 29 awards. Award amounts vary by proposal type, with maximums of $350,000 for IID, $1,000,000 for IMP, and $100,000 for conferences. Contact for the program is the ECR: BCSER Lead Program Officer, available at ECRBCSER@nsf.gov or by phone at (703) 292-7303. Additional support for submission systems is available through Research.gov and Grants.gov help desks. Standard NSF merit review principles and evaluation criteria apply, including assessments of intellectual merit and broader impacts. Final decisions are made following both programmatic and administrative reviews, with all applicants receiving feedback on their proposals.