Closed

Federal funding opportunity

National Science Foundation Fostering Interdisciplinary Networks to Develop Emergent and Responsive Solutions Foundry

U.S. National Science Foundation

  • Opportunity26-507
  • Agency codeNSF
  • CategoryDiscretionary (D)
0 days — this opportunity has closed Wed, May 27, 2026
PostedMar 23, 2026 ClosesMay 27, 2026
Request grant support

Competitive proposals usually start 6+ weeks out.

$8.5M Est. program funding
N/a Award ceiling
N/a Award floor
N/a Expected no. of awards

Program summary

Synopsis

The NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY program supports collaboration among K-12 educators, technologists, and researchers to develop innovative solutions to persistent challenges in learning and workforce development. These challenges are identified by K-12 students, families, and educators. The program aims to create and scale evidence-based practices, tools, and technologies that improve learning outcomes and prepare students for a digital, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven future.

A key focus is early exposure to AI to build curiosity, understanding, and readiness for future careers. The program encourages partnerships across sectors - schools, universities, industry, government, and nonprofits - to co-design responsive, technology-based solutions.

NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY program includes two phases: Planning and Development. Planning proposals help teams explore one of several focus areas. Only teams awarded Planning grants may submit Development proposals, which support the growth and implementation of promising ideas.

The program aligns with national priorities, including the Executive Order 14277, “Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth” (April 23, 2025), and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, Public Law 117-167, Sections 10381-10383 and 10395.

Timeline

Key dates

  • March 23, 2026
    Opportunity posted to grants.gov
  • May 27, 2026
    Applications close
  • December 18, 2026
    Opportunity archived

Who may apply

Eligibility

Eligible applicant types as published by the awarding agency:

  • Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Additional info on eligibility
*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -State and Local Governments -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus. -Tribal Nations: An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131. *Who May Serve as PI: <div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW250762343 BCX8"> Each NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY leadership team must have at least one member from each of three stakeholder groups: (1) K-12 educators, (2) technologists, and (3) researchers. One of these individuals must act as the Principal Investigator (PI) through an eligible organization described above. Co-PIs andadditionalSenior Personnel, (sub)contractors, consultants, etc., are also allowed. Unaffiliated individuals are not eligible tosubmitproposals in response to this solicitation. There are no PI degree requirements (i.e., the PIis not required tohold a Ph.D. nor any other degree). </div>
Cost sharing or matching
Not required

Awarding agency

Additional information

Agency name
U.S. National Science Foundation
Full announcement
NSF Publication 26-507 ↗
Grantor contact
U.S. National Science Foundation
703-292-4203
grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov

Assistance listing

CFDA program(s)

  • 47.076 STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources)
  • 47.084 NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships

Government Grants Consulting

Federal, state, and local grant funding is highly competitive, and the gap between a complete application and a winning one usually comes down to strategy, compliance, and execution. GTC 360° Advisors supports organizations across the entire grant lifecycle — from identifying the right opportunities to managing the award long after it is won. The questions below cover how our grant consulting practice works and the organizations we serve.

  • What is government grant consulting, and how does GTC 360° Advisors help?

    Government grant consulting means guiding an organization through the full grant lifecycle — research, eligibility review, strategy, writing, submission, and post-award compliance. GTC 360° Advisors manages this end to end, pairing grant writers, project managers, financial analysts, and compliance analysts to maximize the odds of an award and keep it in good standing afterward.
  • What types of organizations can GTC 360° Advisors help win grants?

    GTC 360° Advisors supports municipalities, state agencies, nonprofits, school districts, tribal governments, higher education institutions, and private companies pursuing grant funding. Clients have included the City of Los Angeles, Texas A&M University, the Montana State University System, Virginia Commonwealth University, and nonprofit partners such as the Walton Family Foundation and Blue Meridian Partners.
  • What federal agencies has GTC 360° Advisors secured funding from?

    GTC 360° Advisors has secured funding from agencies including the Departments of Energy, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Commerce (EDA and NIST), Education, and State, as well as FEMA, EPA, NSF, NIH, HRSA, SAMHSA, and the CDC. The firm has won over $860 million and counting in federal and state contracts and grants for its clients.
  • Does GTC 360° Advisors handle state and local grants, or only federal?

    GTC 360° Advisors pursues grant funding at the local, state, federal, and international levels. The firm’s advisor network is positioned in every state to help clients identify and compete for regional and state-level funding in addition to federal opportunities.
  • What is GrantSignal AI, and how does it help find grant opportunities?

    GrantSignal AI is GTC 360° Advisors’ AI-powered funding intelligence platform. It aggregates federal, foundation, and other public funding sources into a single dashboard, then uses AI to match opportunities to an organization’s mission, eligibility, and capacity — rather than relying on simple keyword search — and sends alerts as new, winnable opportunities appear.
  • Does GTC 360° Advisors provide grant compliance and post-award management?

    Yes. GTC 360° Advisors manages grants through close-out, including compliance with 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance), Davis-Bacon labor standards, Section 3, environmental review requirements, and funder reporting obligations. The firm builds compliance systems and reporting frameworks so clients stay in good standing with federal and state grantors.
  • What is GTC 360° Advisors’ track record on grant applications?

    GTC 360° Advisors has historically maintained an 88%-plus win rate on the grant applications it has submitted, including a 100% win rate in 2024 across several highly competitive programs. Recent wins include $180 million in EDA Tech Hubs funding for three consortia and $20 million in EDA Recompete funding for the City of Birmingham, Alabama.
  • Can nonprofits and higher education institutions work with GTC 360° Advisors on grants?

    Yes. GTC 360° Advisors regularly supports nonprofits and universities with grant strategy, writing, and administration, including current work with the Walton Family Foundation, Blue Meridian Partners, Texas A&M University, the Montana State University System, and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Working With GTC 360° Advisors

Every engagement is scoped around the organization in front of us — its goals, its deadline, and the internal capacity it already has. Pricing, team assignments, and project milestones are agreed before any work begins, so there are no surprises mid-project. Below are the questions prospective clients and partners ask us most often.

  • How much does it cost to work with GTC 360° Advisors?

    Pricing is customized to the scope, timeline, and budget of each engagement, with both hourly and fixed-fee options available depending on the deliverable. GTC 360° Advisors prices transparently, with no hidden fees for administrative or incidental work, and structures fees so clients gain a full team of senior professionals for less than the cost of a single in-house hire.
  • What is the process for getting started with GTC 360° Advisors?

    Engagements typically start with a conversation about your organization’s goals, funding needs, or growth targets, followed by a scoped proposal outlining services, team, and pricing. From there, GTC 360° Advisors assigns team members matched to the work and begins with research, strategy, or capture planning, depending on the engagement.
  • How long does it take to see results from a grant or contract engagement?

    Timelines vary by opportunity: some grant or contract cycles run a few months from research to submission, while others (large infrastructure or multi-year programs) take longer and continue through post-award management. GTC 360° Advisors sets clear project timelines and milestones at the start of every engagement so clients know what to expect.
  • Does GTC 360° Advisors work with organizations outside the United States?

    GTC 360° Advisors primarily supports U.S.-based government contracts, grants, and business development, but its public affairs and business development services extend internationally through its global partner network for clients running cross-border campaigns.
  • Can I join the GTC 360° Advisors Network as a consultant or subject matter expert?

    Yes. GTC 360° Advisors welcomes applications from experienced firms and freelancers who align with its mission and values to join the GTC 360° Advisors Network, giving members access to mutual marketing, referrals, and new client opportunities.
  • How do I contact GTC 360° Advisors to discuss a project?

    You can reach GTC 360° Advisors at info@gtc360.com or through the contact form at gtc360.com/join-our-network. The firm typically responds to discuss goals, funding needs, or growth targets and outline next steps for an engagement.

Planning for the next cycle?

Tell us the opportunity and we will come back with an honest read on fit, the partners you would need, and what a compliant submission takes.

Request grant support
×

Request Grant Support from GTC 360° Advisors

Our expert team at GTC 360° Advisors can help develop your grant strategy, recruit partner organizations, write your full proposal, compile and manage your budgets, and help you submit a compelling and compliant proposal on time.