Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies | 23 507

Opportunity Information: Apply for 23 507

The National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity "Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies" (ExLENT) is a discretionary grant program designed to grow and diversify the US workforce in fast-moving, high-impact technology areas. Led jointly by NSF's Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) and the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), the initiative focuses on expanding hands-on, real-world learning experiences that help people from many educational and professional backgrounds enter and advance in emerging technology careers. The program is built on the idea that in fields where tools, standards, and applications change quickly, classroom knowledge alone is often not enough; "learning-by-doing" experiences are frequently what makes someone employable and able to progress.

ExLENT targets emerging technology fields that are central to US competitiveness and innovation, including advanced manufacturing, advanced wireless, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum information science, semiconductors, and microelectronics. NSF frames these areas as not only engines of economic growth, but also as essential to solving major societal challenges such as climate change and clean energy. The opportunity also notes that as technologies evolve, workforce preparation must keep up with growing concerns around security, safety, and privacy, making practical training and awareness especially important.

A core emphasis of the program is inclusion and access. ExLENT is meant to support cohorts of learners who reflect a wide range of perspectives and lived experiences, including people coming through traditional degree pathways and those entering through nontraditional routes. This explicitly includes adult learners seeking to reskill or upskill and individuals who have faced significant barriers to formal STEM education, as well as people who have "stopped out" of traditional educational programs and may be re-entering learning and work. The goal is to ensure that the benefits of emerging technology growth are matched by a workforce development strategy that is broad, equitable, and aligned with real hiring needs.

The program's goals are threefold. First, it aims to expand access to career-enhancing experiential learning for a broader and more diverse population, with particular attention to learners who may not otherwise have a clear on-ramp into these fields. Second, it seeks to promote cross-sector partnerships, encouraging collaborations between organizations working directly in emerging technologies (such as industry, research organizations, and technology-focused entities) and organizations with workforce development expertise (such as education and training providers, community-based organizations, and similar groups). Third, it aims to build a workforce that fits regional economic needs across the country, aligning training and experiential learning with the emerging technology strengths and opportunities in different local and regional economies, consistent with TIP's mission to connect innovation to practical, place-based outcomes.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is NSF Funding Opportunity Number 23-507, categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, with CFDA numbers 47.076 and 47.084. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is generally open to a wide range of applicant types, subject to any additional eligibility language in the full solicitation. The award ceiling is up to $1,000,000, and NSF anticipated roughly 35 awards under this opportunity. The original closing date listed for submissions was March 2, 2023, and the opportunity was created on October 18, 2022.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.076, 47.084.
• This funding opportunity was created on Oct 18, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 02, 2023 All Tracks. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 35 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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