The National Science Foundation (NSF) invites proposals for the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering and Computer Science program (NSF 24-503). This initiative supports the active participation of K-14 STEM educators in summer research experiences to foster long-term partnerships between educational institutions, school districts, and industry. The RET program aims to enhance the scientific knowledge of teachers and provide them with experiences they can integrate into classroom curricula to promote engineering and computer science pathways for their students. This effort seeks to improve both student engagement and STEM literacy, particularly among historically underrepresented groups.

The program offers two key funding mechanisms: RET Sites and RET Supplements. RET Sites are independent proposals from institutions of higher education, including community colleges, that aim to provide research opportunities for 8 to 10 teachers for at least six weeks during the summer. These projects should have a cohesive research focus, provide high-quality mentorship, and support a cohort of educators who will work with faculty and possibly industry partners. The program also encourages diversity by supporting teachers from underserved areas such as inner-city or rural schools. In addition to the summer research experience, RET Sites are expected to include activities during the academic year that support the integration of the research into classroom lessons and curricula.

RET Supplements provide additional funding for teachers to participate in ongoing research projects funded by NSF’s Engineering (ENG) and Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) directorates. These supplements are intended to allow one or two teachers to join existing research projects, providing them with hands-on experience that can be applied in their teaching. The supplements also focus on building long-term relationships between educators and researchers and offer sustained follow-up to support classroom integration.

The program aims to award approximately $5.8 million annually, supporting around nine RET Sites each year, with maximum site awards of $600,000 over three years. RET Supplement awards are capped at $15,000 per teacher for one year. These funds are intended to cover teacher stipends, research-related supplies, and support for the development of classroom materials. Both mechanisms emphasize the creation of curricular modules that align with national and state standards and encourage the dissemination of these materials through digital repositories or other avenues to reach a broader audience of educators.

To apply, proposals must be submitted by U.S. institutions of higher education. The principal investigator (PI) must be a full-time, tenured or tenure-track faculty member in an engineering, engineering technology, or computer science department. There is a limit of one proposal per PI or co-PI each year. Applications are accepted through Research.gov or Grants.gov, and the submission deadlines for RET Site proposals are January 29, 2024, and October 9, 2024, with annual deadlines thereafter.

The review process will evaluate proposals based on NSF’s intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria, as well as the specific value of the teacher research experience, the quality of the research environment, the participant recruitment plan, and the development and dissemination of curriculum materials. Proposals must also demonstrate a clear plan for follow-up activities during the academic year to ensure the long-term impact of the program on classroom teaching.

Applicants should ensure compliance with NSF’s policies on sexual harassment and other forms of harassment and should plan to provide diversity and inclusion training for mentors. Annual project reports will be required, and investigators may be asked to use NSF's Education & Training Application (ETAP) system to manage applications and track participant demographics. Successful applicants will be notified through standard NSF award procedures, and PIs will be required to submit regular progress and final reports detailing the outcomes of their projects.