NSF Hits Pause on Top STEM Teacher Awards for Fresh Ideas
Published Date: 4/28/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is hitting pause on its top awards for awesome STEM teachers and mentors to rethink and improve the programs. If you teach, mentor, or just love STEM education, now’s your chance to share ideas by May 28, 2026. This review aims to make these awards even better for the future—no money changes yet, just fresh thinking!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Pause of STEM Excellence Awards
If you are a STEM teacher or mentor who would apply for the Presidential Awards, NSF announced in July 2025 a pause in the annual application and award cycles while it conducts a strategic review. Historically, awardees receive $10,000 each: up to 110 teachers (PAEMST) and up to 15 individuals/organizations (PAESMEM) are honored each year.
RFI Is Not a Funding Promise
This notice is a Request for Information only; it is not a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and does not promise that NSF will issue a NOFO. Organizations and individuals should not treat this RFI as an offer of grant funding.
Opportunity to Submit Feedback
If you teach, mentor, work in STEM education, or care about these programs, NSF invited public input and suggestions and must receive comments by May 28, 2026. Responses are voluntary and may address program design, review criteria, and required applicant information for PAEMST and PAESMEM.
Responses Become Government Property
If you submit information or documents in response to this Request for Information, those submissions become the property of the U.S. Government and will not be returned. Email submissions should be machine-readable and include 'RFI Response: PAEMST/PAESMEM' in the subject line.
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