The National Science Foundation (NSF) Discovery Research PreK-12 (DRK-12) program aims to enhance STEM education by supporting research and development projects that improve teaching and learning in PreK-12 settings. The program focuses on building students' and teachers' STEM knowledge, skills, and practices through innovative, evidence-based approaches. DRK-12 emphasizes collaborative partnerships between researchers, educators, and stakeholders, as well as knowledge dissemination and application. It seeks to address critical challenges in STEM education and anticipate future needs to ensure equitable access to high-quality STEM education for all students.

The program solicits proposals under two main strands: Learning and Teaching. Projects under the Learning Strand focus on understanding and improving student learning and engagement in STEM. The Teaching Strand emphasizes enhancing teachers' knowledge, practices, and ability to deliver effective STEM education. DRK-12 also offers various project types, including exploratory studies, design and development, impact studies, implementation and improvement, measurement and assessment, synthesis studies, partnership development, and workshops/conferences. Funding ranges from $100,000 for Partnership Development projects to $5,000,000 for large-scale research initiatives, depending on the type and scope of the project.

Eligibility for this program is open to various categories of organizations identified in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). There are no restrictions on who may serve as a principal investigator or the number of proposals submitted. Proposals must follow the guidelines in the PAPPG or the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide and address specific elements such as intellectual merit, broader impacts, and research and development design. Applicants must also include plans for external review, dissemination, and evaluation metrics to assess project success and impact.

Submission requirements include detailed project summaries, descriptions, budgets, data management plans, and, if applicable, postdoctoral mentoring plans. Proposals must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov by 5 p.m. local time on the second Wednesday of November annually. For FY2024, the anticipated funding amount is $50,000,000, supporting approximately 50-60 awards across different project types.

The review process involves evaluation based on intellectual merit and broader impacts, with consideration of creativity, feasibility, and societal benefits. Proposals are assessed by NSF program officers, external reviewers, and panels. The program prioritizes diversity, collaboration, and alignment with national STEM education goals, including workforce readiness and addressing inequities in STEM education.

Additional resources, including the CADRE and EQR Hub, provide technical assistance and support for DRK-12 applicants and awardees. Prospective applicants are encouraged to consult these resources and NSF program officers to strengthen their proposals and align them with program goals. Full details are available on the NSF DRK-12 program website.