National Math and Science Initiative
/OVERVIEW: The National Math and Science Initiative seeks to improve teacher training and student performance in STEM. This nonprofit has established a flagship College Readiness Program, which serves as the focus of its initiatives and partnerships.
IP TAKE: Some of the largest funding efforts in STEM education move through NMSI, and its work supports both students and teachers to promote improvements in this area. Universities and state-based education groups have been among the top recipients of support from this funder. Funding is highly competitive. This is a responsive and approachable funder that wants to see grantees thrive.
PROFILE: The National Math and Science Initiative was established in 2007 after a blue-ribbon task force commissioned by the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and the National Research Council found that math and science education in the country was severely behind in comparison to other nations. NMSI seeks “to significantly improve student opportunities and achievement by advancing STEM teaching and learning.” To that end, it works to transform teaching, schools, and education in the United States.
Grants for STEM Education
The National Math and Science Initiative’s efforts to advance STEM education in the United States range from early childhood to college-level initiatives. It especially focuses on professional development of teachers. The Laying the Foundation program “empowers teachers in grades 3-12 to build and maintain subject matter expertise, enhance their leadership of diverse classrooms and propel students’ confidence” by funding teacher training, pedagogical resources, and instructional materials to teachers around the country. Meanwhile the foundation’s CS AlignEd program provides for improved computer science education, especially for underserved students. This program offers professional development for computer science teachers, instructional materials, and expert assistance from NMSI to help develop innovative computer science curricula.
A number of universities have also been awarded funds from NMSI through involvement in its UTeach Expansion Program, which aims “to recruit and train math and science teachers.” UTeach is expected to produce more than 9,000 math and science teachers in the United States by 2020. Math, science, or English teachers might also be interested to enroll in a teacher training at an LTF Summer Institute. Enrollment is free for senior UTeach students and alumni, and a “limited number” of “induction scholarships” for other alumni are also available.
Grants for College Readiness
NMSI’s College Readiness Program seeks to “empower sustainable changes at the school system, campus and classroom levels to better prepare all students for college and beyond.” It primarily aims to increase enrollment in Advanced Placement courses nationwide and raise scores on AP Math, Science, and English exams. This program incorporates support and additional resources for AP students, professional development resources for teachers, and guidance for school leaders and administrators.
Important Grant Details:
Organizations interested in establishing a relationship with NMSI should start by requesting a consultation here. NMSI oversees its own programs and also partners with programs and organizations that have similar results to help scale its initiatives. Some of the biggest recipients of NMSI funding are state-based education organizations. Large grants have also gone to university-bases schools of education including the University of Massachusetts, Moorehead State University in Kentucky and the University of Nevada at Reno.
Grantseekers can see a list of the leading partner organizations on NMSI’s website here (dollar amounts allocated for specific grant programs are available by reviewing the organization’s Form 990 tax filings).
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