Advancing Informal STEM Learning | 24 601

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) Program

What is the NSF AISL program?

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program is a discretionary grant program that supports projects designed to strengthen both research and real-world practice in informal STEM learning (ISL). It focuses on helping people engage with STEM outside traditional classrooms and degree programs, with the goal of supporting lifelong STEM learning.

What does "informal STEM learning" mean in this program?

In this context, informal STEM learning refers to STEM learning experiences that happen outside formal educational settings like K-12 classrooms and college degree programs. Examples include museums, science centers, media platforms, community organizations, libraries, afterschool and community-based programs, and other public-facing environments where people engage with STEM in everyday life.

What are the main goals of AISL-funded projects?

AISL-funded projects are expected to advance knowledge about how informal STEM learning works and how it can be made more effective, equitable, and welcoming. The program prioritizes work that strengthens STEM engagement and belonging, supports personal and educational success connected to STEM, increases public involvement in scientific discovery, and improves understanding of both STEM topics and STEM processes (how science and engineering are done, communicated, and trusted).

Who is AISL designed to reach?

AISL is especially interested in efforts that reach public audiences. The program places strong emphasis on engagement, broadening participation, and belonging, with an explicit focus on improving the well-being of individuals and communities that have been historically excluded, underserved, or underrepresented in STEM across multiple dimensions.

What kinds of activities and focus areas does AISL emphasize?

The program highlights public engagement approaches such as community-based public participation in scientific research (PPSR), often called citizen science, as well as science communication, intergenerational STEM learning experiences, and STEM media. AISL also supports efforts that build stronger theoretical and evidence-based foundations for informal STEM learning and contribute to community vibrancy through STEM-related activities.

What is PPSR and how does it relate to AISL?

PPSR stands for Public Participation in Scientific Research and is often referred to as citizen science. AISL is interested in projects that engage the public in scientific research in meaningful ways and generate evidence about how to improve these approaches and their outcomes.

What are the five project types supported by AISL?

The solicitation supports five project types:

• Synthesis: Pulls together evidence and insights across prior work to clarify what is known and what gaps remain.
• Conference: Supports convenings that move the field forward by aligning researchers and practitioners on key questions, methods, or emerging issues.
• Partnership Development and Planning: Helps build relationships, shared goals, and practical plans needed before launching larger efforts.
• Integrating Research and Practice: Connects rigorous research with hands-on implementation in informal learning settings, producing usable knowledge and improved practice at the same time.
• Research in Support of Wide-reaching Public Engagement with STEM: Generates evidence to improve large-scale public engagement approaches, including broad communication and participation strategies.

How do I know which AISL project type fits my idea?

Based on the solicitation descriptions: Synthesis projects are appropriate when you are consolidating and analyzing what prior work already shows; Conference projects are designed for convenings that advance the field; Partnership Development and Planning projects fit early-stage efforts that need relationship-building and planning before a larger project; Integrating Research and Practice is aimed at projects that combine research with implementation in informal learning settings; and Research in Support of Wide-reaching Public Engagement with STEM focuses on generating evidence to improve large-scale public engagement strategies.

What outcomes does AISL want projects to produce?

AISL seeks projects that produce insights, evidence, and models that help the informal STEM learning community improve practice and understanding of what works. This includes clarifying how informal STEM learning supports engagement, belonging, STEM-related success, and public involvement in discovery, as well as improving public understanding of STEM processes and how STEM is communicated and trusted.

What does AISL mean by focusing on "STEM processes"?

The program emphasizes helping the public understand not only STEM content, but also STEM processes: how science and engineering are actually conducted, how evidence is developed, how results are communicated, and how STEM is trusted in real settings.

What kinds of projects are explicitly out of scope for AISL?

AISL is not meant to support activities primarily focused on formal education systems or formal academic outcomes. Proposals centered on K-12 classroom instruction, school-based curricula, or undergraduate and graduate education programs (whether in-person or online) are outside the program scope.

Does AISL fund workforce training or certification programs?

AISL does not fund formal workforce training like professional certification programs or degree pathways, unless the training is directly aimed at informal STEM learning professionals (for example, professional learning designed for museum educators or community science program leaders).

What settings are considered a good fit for AISL work?

The program is rooted in informal learning environments such as museums, science centers, media platforms, community organizations, libraries, afterschool and community-based programs, and similar public-facing venues where STEM engagement happens outside formal schooling.

Who is eligible to apply for AISL funding?

Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based for-profit organizations (including small businesses) with strong STEM research or education capabilities and an interest in innovation; non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies; state and local governments; and accredited U.S. institutions of higher education (two-year and four-year, including community colleges) with a U.S. campus applying on behalf of faculty.

Are Tribal Nations eligible to apply?

Yes. Tribal Nations (federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native tribes under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994) are eligible and explicitly encouraged as central partners and leaders in efforts to broaden participation.

Can foreign organizations participate or apply?

Foreign organizations may apply. However, for collaborative projects involving U.S. and foreign entities, NSF support is limited to the U.S. portion of the work.

Can federal agencies or FFRDCs apply?

Other federal agencies and federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) may be eligible, but they are instructed to contact the AISL program before submitting a proposal.

What is the opportunity number for this AISL solicitation?

The opportunity number listed is 24-601.

What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument type listed is a grant.

What is the CFDA listing or category referenced for this opportunity?

The activity category is listed under CFDA 47.076 and described as science and technology research and development.

What is the closing date for this opportunity?

The original closing date listed is January 8, 2025.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling listed is $3,500,000.

How many awards does NSF expect to make under AISL?

NSF anticipates making around 77 awards, indicating a national competition that can support a range of project sizes and approaches.

Does AISL require projects to broaden participation and improve belonging?

AISL places a strong emphasis on engagement, broadening participation, and belonging. The solicitation explicitly focuses on improving well-being for individuals and communities historically excluded, underserved, or underrepresented in STEM across multiple dimensions.

How does AISL describe strong or competitive proposals?

Based on the description provided, competitive proposals are likely to be those that reach public audiences in meaningful ways, are grounded in strong research or learning design, include credible plans to broaden participation and strengthen belonging, and produce insights or models that others in the informal STEM learning community can adapt and use.

What are the rules around funding work at an international branch campus of a U.S. university?

If a proposal involves funding to an international branch campus of a U.S. university (including through subawards or consultants), the applicant must clearly explain why that location is necessary, what it adds to the project, and why the work cannot be done at the U.S. campus.