The National Science Foundation (NSF), Directorate for Education and Human Resources has released a program solicitation for Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) previously named the Informal Science Education program. The program invests in research and development of innovative and field-advancing out-of-school STEM learning and emerging STEM learning environments.

"The Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) solicitation invites investigators to propose ideas, concepts, models, and other opportunities for learning and learning environments that will capture the creative and innovative potential of informal STEM learning for the future, and potentially forge new connections across all STEM learning communities. Leveraging new and emerging technologies, STEM learning can now be located and situated wherever the learner is and customized to meet the learner's educational needs. New interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships for informal learning among academia, industry, and government can greatly advance our nation's goals to produce a scientifically and technologically literate population and workforce.”

For additional information, please see the program solicitation.

Recent awards made through this program.

Award Information

• Expected Number of Awards: 34
• Estimated Total Program Funding: $20,000,000

Optional preliminary proposals are due August 14, 2012. PIs new to the field and PIs with new concepts are strongly encouraged to submit preliminary proposals.

Full proposals due: January 14, 2013