NSF FINDERS Foundry Supports K-12 Educator, Technologist, Researcher Collaboration

Grants.gov Open Opportunities

Published March 24th, 2026

Detected March 24th, 2026

Summary

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced the FINDERS Foundry program, which supports collaborations between K-12 educators, technologists, and researchers to develop innovative solutions for learning and workforce development. The program encourages early exposure to AI and aligns with national priorities such as Executive Order 14277.

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What changed

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has launched the FINDERS Foundry program, a new initiative aimed at fostering collaboration among K-12 educators, technologists, and researchers. The program's objective is to develop innovative, evidence-based solutions and technologies to address persistent challenges in learning and workforce development, with a particular emphasis on preparing students for an AI-driven future. This initiative aligns with national priorities, including Executive Order 14277 on advancing AI education for American youth and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.

Eligible applicants include non-profit, non-academic organizations, state and local governments, institutions of higher education, and federally recognized tribes. Leadership teams must include representation from K-12 educators, technologists, and researchers. The program consists of two phases: Planning and Development, where Planning grants precede Development grants. While this announcement is informational and does not impose immediate compliance obligations, organizations interested in applying for these grants should review the full solicitation details on Grants.gov and ensure their proposed teams and projects meet the eligibility criteria and program objectives.

What to do next

Review NSF FINDERS Foundry program solicitation on Grants.gov for eligibility and application requirements.
Formulate collaborative teams including K-12 educators, technologists, and researchers.
Prepare proposals that address learning and workforce development challenges, with a focus on AI readiness.

Source document (simplified)

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

Agency: U.S. National Science Foundation

Assistance Listings: 47.076 -- STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources)

47.084 -- NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships

Last Updated: March 24, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov

Description

The NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY program supports collaboration among K-12 educators, technologists, and researchers to develop innovative solutions to persistent challenges in learning and workforce development. These challenges are identified by K-12 students, families, and educators. The program aims to create and scale evidence-based practices, tools, and technologies that improve learning outcomes and prepare students for a digital, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven future.

A key focus is early exposure to AI to build curiosity, understanding, and readiness for future careers. The program encourages... partnerships across sectors - schools, universities, industry, government, and nonprofits - to co-design responsive, technology-based solutions.

NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY program includes two phases: Planning and Development. Planning proposals help teams explore one of several focus areas. Only teams awarded Planning grants may submit Development proposals, which support the growth and implementation of promising ideas.

The program aligns with national priorities, including the Executive Order 14277, “Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth ” (April 23, 2025), and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, Public Law 117-167, Sections 10381-10383 and 10395. Show full description

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Miscellaneous

Other

Additional information

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
-Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities.
-State and Local Governments
-Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.
-Tribal Nations: An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131.

*Who May Serve as PI: Each NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY leadership team must have at least one member from each of three stakeholder groups: (1) K-12 educators, (2) technologists, and (3) researchers. One of these individuals must act as the Principal Investigator (PI) through an eligible organization described above. Co-PIs andadditionalSenior Personnel, (sub)contractors, consultants, etc., are also allowed.

Unaffiliated individuals are not eligible tosubmitproposals in response to this solicitation.

There are no PI degree requirements (i.e., the PIis not required tohold a Ph.D. nor any other degree).