Directorate for Education and Human Resources
Discovery Research PreK-12 (DRK-12)
Important Information Regarding Research.gov
Important Information about use of Research.gov for proposal submission
Innovating and migrating proposal preparation and submission capabilities from FastLane to Research.gov is part of the ongoing NSF information technology modernization efforts, as described in Important Notice No. 147.
In support of these efforts, the Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) and Discovery Research pre-K—12 (DRK-12) programs now require the use of Research.gov for the preparation and submission of proposals. Proposals also may continue to be submitted via use of Grants.gov.
CADRE Supports the DRK-12 Community
CADRE is a network for STEM education researchers funded by the National Science Foundation's Discovery Research preK-12 (DRK-12) program. Through in-person meetings, a web site, common interest groups, newsletters, and more, CADRE connects these researchers who are endeavoring to improve education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in, and outside of, our schools.
CADRE helps DRK-12 researchers share their methods, findings, results, and products inside the research and development community and with the greater public.
| Name | Phone | Room | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inquiries can be made to | DRLDRK12@nsf.gov | (703) 292-8620 |
PROGRAM GUIDELINES
Solicitation 20-572Important Information for Proposers
A revised version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 20-1), is effective for proposals submitted, or due, on or after June 1, 2020. Please be advised that, depending on the specified due date, the guidelines contained in NSF 20-1 may apply to proposals submitted in response to this funding opportunity.
DUE DATES
Full Proposal Deadline Date
October 6, 2021
First Wednesday in October, Annually Thereafter
SYNOPSIS
The Discovery Research PreK-12 program (DRK-12) seeks to significantly enhance the learning and teaching of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science (STEM) by preK-12 students and teachers, through research and development of STEM education innovations and approaches. Projects in the DRK-12 program build on fundamental research in STEM education and prior research and development efforts that provide theoretical and empirical justification for proposed projects. Projects should result in research-informed and field-tested outcomes and products that inform teaching and learning. Teachers and students who participate in DRK-12 studies are expected to enhance their understanding and use of STEM content, practices and skills.
The DRK-12 program invites proposals that address immediate challenges that are facing preK-12 STEM education as well as those that anticipate radically different structures and functions of preK-12 teaching and learning. The DRK-12 program has three major research and development strands: (1) Assessment; (2) Learning; and (3) Teaching. The program recognizes the synergy among the three strands and that there is some overlap and interdependence among them. However, proposals should identify a clear focus of the proposed research efforts (i.e., assessment, learning, or teaching) consistent with the proposal’s main objectives and research questions. The program supports six types of projects: (1) Exploratory, (2) Design and Development, (3) Impact, (4) Implementation and Improvement, (5) Syntheses, and (6) Conferences. All six types of projects apply to each of the three DRK-12 program strands.
What Has Been Funded (Recent Awards Made Through This Program, with Abstracts)