PhysTEC Networks Request for Proposals (RFP) is open for pre-proposal submissions through June 14, 2024, at 5 p.m. in the submitter's local time.
Based on pre-proposals, the PhysTEC team will set up a meeting with you in July, with full proposals due September 13, 2024.
The objective of this request for proposals (PDF) is to support up to two PhysTEC Networks, which is a new model where multiple organizations will partner to develop and implement strategies that advance the recruitment and preparation of highly qualified physics teachers in their communities. The total funding available is $202,500 for this RFP. Networks will receive funding for a two-year period (January 2025 - December 2026). We also expect that PhysTEC Networks will attend both the 2025 and 2026 PhysTEC Conferences and that their award budget will include their travel expenses.
Please email the PhysTEC team with questions.
Eligibility
Eligible Organizations
Networks must comprise at least three partnering organizations. Each Network Organization will receive a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant subaward. Examples of eligible organizations include:
- Universities or four-year colleges that are located and accredited in the US
- Two-year colleges that are located and accredited in the US
- State and local US governments, including K-12 school districts
- Tribal governments
- Nonprofit organizations
Please see the request for proposals (PDF) for additional requirements.
Principal Investigator Eligibility
Typically, the Network Principal Investigator (PI) will be a faculty member at a college or university with a significant personal commitment to improving physics teacher education. However, we are open to other arrangements for who will serve as the award PI. Please contact the PhysTEC team if you have any questions.
We expect each Network Organization will have at least one Co-PI listed on the award. Additionally, multiple individuals from the same Network Organization can be included as additional named personnel (e.g., Co-PIs). For example, a university may include both a physics faculty member and a faculty member from their school of education; prior PhysTEC sites have found this to be a productive arrangement.
Application Deadlines
The process for submitting a PhysTEC Network grant proposal is as follows:.
- Submit a pre-proposal form by June 14, 2024, at 5 p.m. submitter’s local time.
- Based on your form responses, we will schedule a pre-proposal meeting with your team by early July 2024.
- Submit a full proposal by September 13, 2024, at 5 p.m. submitter’s local time.
Late proposals will not be accepted. We intend to make award offers in November 2024 so that the Networks’ funding support will begin on January 1, 2025.
Connect with Us
PhysTEC staff are dedicated to promoting physics teacher education, and we want to help you access funding and support to recruit and prepare more high school physics teachers in your area. We welcome all questions and consultation requests during the RFP cycle. Please contact the PhysTEC team for more information.
Past PhysTEC Opportunities
PhysTEC has offered various grants to enable member institutions to establish and grow physics teacher education (PTE) programs and communities of physics teacher educators. We have also developed a new professional development initiative focused on invested faculty who are not quite ready to seek direct funding for their PTE programs.
Each of these opportunities has provided prestige, professional development, and tools and resources for institutions to develop thriving programs. They have also include travel support to participate in the annual PhysTEC Conference.
Regional Networks
Regional Networks focus on creating regional coalitions of PTE programs that share information and effective practices for mutual improvement.
Budget: $15,000 over 2 years
See Legacy Regional Network grant awardees
PhysTEC Fellows
The PhysTEC Fellows program provides direct support for boosting faculty efforts to improve their PTE programs and gain additional resources.
Recruiting Sites
Recruiting Sites focus on building institutional commitment for your PTE program and recruiting students into it.
Budget: $25,000 over 2 years
See Legacy Recruiting Site awardees
Comprehensive Sites
Comprehensive Sites get support for building a comprehensive physics teacher education program.
Budget: $300,000 over 3 years
See Legacy Comprehensive Site awardees
External Funding Opportunities
The National Science Foundation has several programs that can support preservice teachers or the programs that prepare them, including: