Research Experience for Teachers (RET): Supplement Opportunity
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia 22230
Directorate for Biological Sciences
Office of the Assistant Director
NSF 07-039
(replaces NSF
05-524)
July 9, 2007
SUBJECT: Research Experience for Teachers (RET): Supplement Opportunity
Dear Colleague:
This letter is to call your attention to an activity that will
enable K-12 science educators to participate in projects funded
by the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) at the National
Science Foundation (NSF). The goal of the Research Experiences
for Teachers (RET) activity is to enhance the professional development
of K-12 science educators through research experience at the emerging
frontiers of science in order to bring new knowledge into the classroom.
BIO strongly encourages all its grantees to make special efforts
to identify talented teachers who can participate in this RET supplement
activity to integrate research and education. This special opportunity
is the same as mentioned in the Research
Experience for Undergraduates (REU) solicitation (07-569).
We believe that encouraging active participation of teachers in
on-going NSF projects is an excellent way to strengthen the science
expertise of our nation’s teachers. Another goal of the RET
supplement activity is to build collaborative relationships between
K-12 science educators and the NSF research community. BIO is particularly
interested in encouraging its researchers to build mutually rewarding
partnerships with teachers at urban or rural schools and those
at less well-endowed school districts.
A RET can be requested as a supplement to an existing NSF award
or as part of a new or renewal NSF proposal. The RET supplement
request should clearly articulate, in some detail, the form and
nature of the prospective teacher’s involvement in the Principal
Investigator’s ongoing or proposed research. For example,
the teacher may participate in the design of new experiments, modeling
or analysis of experimental data or other activities that will
result in intellectual contributions to the project. Since it is
expected that the RET supplement experience will also lead to transfer
of new knowledge to classroom activities, the RET supplement description
should also indicate what sustained follow-up would be provided
to help in translating the teacher’s research experience
into classroom practice. A brief biographical sketch of the teacher
should also be included.
The duration of the RET supplement will generally be one year
and the project may be carried out during summer months, during
the academic year, or both. For guidance and inquiries concerning
the RET supplement, including the due date, the Principal Investigator
should consult with the Program Director of his/her particular
NSF award, or the cognizant Program Director for the program solicitation
to which s/he is submitting a proposal.
An application for the RET supplement to an existing NSF award
should be submitted via FastLane. After logging in to Proposals,
Awards & Status, the Principal Investigator(PI)/Co-Principal
Investigator(Co-PI) Management, What Do You Want To Work On?" screen
will appear. Click on "Award and Reporting Functions," then
click "Supplemental Funding Request." The Principal
Investigator enters the description of the proposed RET supplement
activity (limited to 3 pages), including a separate 2 page CV of
each science educator (submitted in the Supplementary Docs section),
justification of the funds requested, and a prepared budget. The
budget includes a teacher’s stipend and up to $1,000 for
the cost of materials, equipment, software and other supplies for
developing classroom instructional materials. An administrative
allowance (limited to 25% of the teacher’s stipend only)
is allowed for partial reimbursement of indirect costs. The total
cost of the supplement is generally limited to $15,000 per teacher.
This same information should be supplied for a RET supplement request
that is incorporated into a new research proposal.
Normally funds may be available for up to two teachers, but exceptions
will be considered. Participation of science educators who are
members of underrepresented groups (underrepresented minorities
and persons with disabilities) is strongly encouraged. The decision
to award a supplement will be based on internal review by the Program
Director and availability of funds in a particular program.
NSF encourages you to visit K-12 educators in your local school
district and region, including those participating in NSF-supported
activities (see awards
list for the Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Informal Education),
to make them aware of this RET supplement opportunity as well as
other NSF research and educational projects. We trust that your
time and efforts will strengthen the teaching of science, mathematics,
and engineering and enhance the development of the U.S. science
and engineering workforce.
Sincerely,
James P. Collins
James P. Collins
Assistant Director
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