NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY

NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY sits under the NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships and the Directorate for STEM Education, with a mandate centered on K-12 learning challenges. It backs teams of educators, technologists, and researchers who are building technology-driven tools with early AI exposure and workforce readiness in mind. The funding is aimed at cross-sector work that connects classrooms with broader technical capacity. The program uses a two-phase structure. Planning awards offer up to $50,000 for up to two months, and only Planning recipients may compete for Development awards of up to $300,000 over one year. The 2026 cycle set the Planning deadline for May 27, 2026 and the Development deadline for November 18, 2026. The fit is strongest for teams that can coordinate among schools, universities, industry, government, and nonprofits without losing focus on a concrete learning problem. Because each organization can submit only one proposal per phase and individual PIs are similarly limited, applicants need a clear lead team and a narrow use case. The program rewards consortia that can move from concept to classroom-ready development quickly.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.