National Science Foundation Fostering Interdisciplinary Networks to Develop Emergent and Responsive Solutions Foundry

The National Science Foundation (NSF), an independent federal agency dedicated to the advancement of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), has issued a funding opportunity titled “Fostering Interdisciplinary Networks to Develop Emergent and Responsive Solutions Foundry” under solicitation number 26-507. This initiative is administered through two of NSF’s assistance listings: STEM Education (47.076) and Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (47.084), reflecting its commitment to fostering innovation and educational advancement. The program is commonly referred to as the NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY initiative and is grounded in advancing U.S. competitiveness through collaborative problem-solving across sectors, with an emphasis on emergent technology and education challenges. The primary objective of the NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY program is to create robust interdisciplinary teams that bring together K–12 educators, technologists, and researchers to design, test, and scale innovative responses to pressing challenges identified by students, families, and educators. These include persistent inequities and barriers to high-quality, inclusive, and forward-looking education and workforce development. By encouraging early exposure to Artificial Intelligence (AI), the program seeks to foster a generation of learners who are curious, informed, and prepared for a technology-driven future. The program is deeply aligned with national policy priorities, including Executive Order 14277 on advancing AI education and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. NSF will provide grants in two phases: Planning and Development. Planning proposals are designed to support early-stage efforts in one of several NSF-defined thematic areas. Only those applicants who are awarded Planning phase grants will be eligible to submit Development proposals, which are intended to support scaling and implementation of proven approaches. Funding will support the creation of evidence-based practices, technologies, and tools, and the development of partnerships between academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, government entities, and industry. Proposals should demonstrate potential for significant impact on educational and workforce outcomes, especially among underserved populations. Proposals may only be submitted by U.S.-based institutions and organizations. These include non-profit, non-academic entities such as research laboratories and museums, state and local governments, institutions of higher education (both two- and four-year, including community colleges), and federally recognized Tribal Nations. International campuses of U.S. institutions may be involved only if clearly justified. Each project must include a leadership team representing three specific stakeholder groups: K–12 educators, technologists, and researchers. One of these individuals must serve as the Principal Investigator (PI), and must be affiliated with an eligible organization. The PI is not required to hold any specific degree, and unaffiliated individuals may not apply. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov no later than May 27, 2026. There is no pre-application requirement such as a letter of intent or concept paper. The total anticipated program funding is approximately $8.5 million. While the exact number of awards and individual award sizes are not specified in the announcement, funding will be allocated competitively based on NSF’s standard merit review criteria, including the intellectual merit and broader impacts of the proposed work. The NSF anticipates funding awards across the Planning and Development phases, although only Planning proposals will be accepted for this cycle. Applicants seeking more information or having difficulty accessing the full announcement can contact NSF Grants.gov Support at [email protected]. As this opportunity aligns with recurring national goals, future funding cycles are likely. The grant notice is set to archive on December 18, 2026, indicating the potential for ongoing activity beyond the current application window. All proposals must comply with NSF’s submission guidelines as outlined in the official solicitation publication (NSF 26-507).