NASA is now accepting applications for its Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) program, which has been expanded with a new third tier of funding. TEAM II is a competitive award program that enables non-profit museums, planetariums, libraries, and youth-serving organizations (“Informal Education Institutions” or “IEIs”) to propose NASA mission-inspired STEM projects for K-12 students and their learning support systems of families and educators.
TEAM II is intended to support inquiry- or experiential-based educational opportunities with direct alignment to major NASA missions for students and the public, and their learning support systems of families and informal and formal educators and institutions. Through TEAM II, NASA seeks to enhance IEIs’ and partners’ ability to deliver and participate in NASA-based activities, to build the capacity of institutions to utilize NASA resources, and to empower students to contribute to NASA’s mission using innovative tools and platforms. TEAM II seeks projects featuring the latest in NASA space exploration, missions, engineering, and technologies to support NASA STEM Engagement objectives, strategies, and outcomes.
The TEAM II Program is open to U.S. Institutions, state government agencies, local government agencies, federally recognized tribal government agencies, science museums and planetariums, libraries, youth-serving organizations, non-profit organizations, and non-domestic entities (see Section C.6 of the NOFO). These entities may participate as a lead institution as noted by the specific program tier guidelines.
NASA will be hosting two optional preproposal webinars to learn more about the awards. U.S. informal education institutions interested in applying for the program are encouraged to attend.
Thursday, July 25, 2024
12:30–2:00 p.m. ET
Join webinar
This will be the primary webinar, covering detailed information.
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
12:30–2:00 p.m.
Join webinar
This webinar will be for additional questions or clarification and will cover FAQs. If you are not able to attend the first webinar, please view the recording and/or the FAQs from the first webinar on July 25 prior to attending this webinar
The program expects to issue funding announcements for two tiers each year, including these programs in fiscal years (FY) 2024 and 2025.
| Funding tier | Award Type | Anticipating Funding Level | FY 2024 | FY 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Anchor | Grant | Up to $50,000 | Yes | Yes |
| STEM Innovator | Cooperative Agreement | Up to $250,000 | Yes | |
| National Connector | Cooperative Agreement | Up to $900,000 | Yes |
Community Anchor tier
Added to the TEAM II program in 2022, Community Anchor awards provide up to $50,000 to cover activities for a period of 1–2 years. Awardees are expected to strengthen their service as a local NASA STEM informal education community resource, implement NASA STEM experiences that benefit a significant population of diverse audiences in their local community or region, and participate in the NASA Informal Education Learning Cohort. FY 2024 proposals due August 27, 2024.
STEM Innovator tier
New for 2024, the STEM Innovator tier will support mid-size awards of up to $250,000 to cover activities for a period of 2–3 years. Awardees are expected to expand their research as a regional NASA STEM informal educational resources, enhancing innovative practices in STEM informal education, implement NASA STEM experiences that benefit a significant population of diverse audiences in their local community or region, and participate in the NASA Informal Education Learning Cohort. FY 2024 proposals due September 26, 2024.
National Connector tier
National Connector awards provide up to $900,000 to cover activities for a period of 2–4 years. Projects are expected to have national reach, NASA involvement, include independent evaluation and a logic model, and incorporate a partnership and network plan. The next solicitation for National Connectors is expected in fiscal year 2025.
Additional Information:
- “NASA Awards Launch Excitement for STEM Learning Nationwide,” July 19, 2024.
- Notice of Funding Opportunity: Engagement Opportunities in NASA STEM FY2024 (EONS-2024).
- Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II).