The NSF EHR Directorate supports research and development that strengthens STEM learning, expands participation, and cultivates an inclusive, future-ready STEM workforce. Unlike discipline-focused directorates that invest in domain-specific scientific discovery, EHR centers its mission on people—how they learn, how they navigate STEM pathways, and how educational systems can be transformed to remove structural barriers. EHR programs advance fundamental knowledge about learning while simultaneously supporting curriculum innovation, teacher preparation, workforce development, and institutional capacity-building. 

Key NSF EHR programs include EHR Core Research (ECR), which supports foundational studies in STEM learning and cognition; Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE), which promotes evidence-based teaching and curricular reform; Advanced Technological Education (ATE), which focuses on two-year colleges and technician workforce pathways; and S-STEM, which provides scholarships and institutional supports for academically talented, low-income students pursuing STEM degrees. Additional opportunities span K–12 STEM education, informal STEM learning, broadening participation initiatives, and partnerships that connect educational research with real-world learning environments. 

Projects funded by an NSF EHR may involve learning sciences research, instructional design, assessment methodologies, STEM identity development, teacher professional development, community and Tribal engagement, technology-enhanced learning, or regional workforce studies. Many proposals integrate qualitative and quantitative methods, human-centered design, longitudinal tracking, or experimental interventions. Because EHR emphasizes systemic change, strong proposals often include partnerships with schools, community colleges, industry, nonprofits, and local governments. 

Eligibility follows standard NSF guidelines: U.S. universities, community colleges, Tribal organizations, nonprofit research institutions, and qualified small businesses may apply. For-profit partners may participate when contributing to fundamental education research or evidence-based workforce initiatives. 

Competitive proposals clearly articulate intellectual merit, rigorous research design, and broader impacts that extend beyond local settings—such as building inclusive learning environments, reducing equity gaps, preparing teachers, supporting nontraditional learners, or strengthening regional STEM workforce pipelines. Strong dissemination, evaluation, and sustainability plans are essential. 

ScienceDocs Can Help 

ScienceDocs supports NSF EHR investigators with education research framing, evaluation-plan development, logic models, broader-impacts design, partnership strategies, and complete proposal preparation. 
Begin at https://www.sciencedocs.com/quotes/.