The BIORETS solicitation (NSF 21-584) seeks proposals that provide research experiences for groups of teachers in fields supported by the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO). The research experiences are intended to be translated into curricular changes that have long-term impact on science education and encourage students to enter STEM-related professions.

A BIORETS project should provide a cohort of at least 8-10 middle school, high school, and/or community college STEM teachers with immersive, authentic research experiences in the biological sciences over a period of at least six weeks, typically during the summer.

Proposals submitted to this solicitation are strongly encouraged to involve PIs, co-PIs, postdoctoral fellows, students, and teachers who are members of groups that have been historically underrepresented in STEM, as well as teachers who serve in schools and educational settings with high proportions of students in such groups. Proposers are also encouraged to consider involving veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces as part of NSF’s broader effort to promote the participation of military veterans in STEM research and education.

Full proposals are due Aug. 2, 2021 and on July 31 of successive years. Proposals must be prepared and submitted via research.gov or grants.gov. Read the solicitation for all details. A virtual office hour focusing on the BIORETS solicitation will be held July 1 from 1-2 pm. A registration link is available on the MCB Office Hours page.