Self-paced NSF proposal development course
Developing an ITEST Proposal
A free online course for novice NSF proposal writers developing a full proposal for the Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers program.
Archived Course Note
This course is preserved for historical purposes. While some content may not be up to date, the materials remain highly relevant for NSF proposal development support and may still serve as a valuable resource for proposal writers. Content may reference past initiatives.
Course sequence
Build the proposal one section at a time
Move from orientation and planning into partnerships, research, evaluation, dissemination, budgeting, and final submission prep.
Module 0
Orientation to the Course
This short module provides an overview of the course.
Module 1
Introduction
Become familiar with NSF, its programs, and the STELAR Center, then begin planning the proposal development process.
Module 2
Forming Partnerships
Develop partnerships that enable the project to achieve its goals and understand why strategic partnerships are required for an ITEST proposal.
Module 3
Writing a Compelling Project Description
Learn the technical requirements for the project description, review criteria for Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, and characteristics of a compelling proposal narrative.
Module 4
Research
Focus on designing a research study that examines the impact of the intervention and contributes to Intellectual Merit.
Module 5
Evaluation
Explore evaluation designs that provide ongoing feedback on the work and feedback on the overall success of the project.
Module 7
Budget
Cover the details of developing a budget that aligns with the scope of work being proposed.
Module 8
Putting It All Together
Review the proposal components developed through the course activities and outline final steps before submission.
Module 9
Finalizing and Uploading to Research.gov
Review resources for preparing and submitting ITEST proposals through Research.gov.