The U.S. National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories. NSF was established in 1950 by Congress to promote the progress of science, advance the national health, prosperity and welfare, and secure the national defense.
The IUSE: Innovation in Two-Year College STEM Education (ITYC) program is designed to improve STEM education at two-year colleges. It emphasizes (1) centering students in efforts to advance innovation and promote equitable outcomes in STEM education, and (2) building the capacity of two-year colleges to utilize the talents of their diverse student and faculty populations through innovative disciplinary, multi-departmental, and college-wide efforts. The program supports projects contributing to student success in STEM courses and pathways, including activities across all disciplines funded by NSF. It features two tracks focusing on enhancing academic experiences and leveraging institutional strengths for innovation. Projects can request up to $500,000 for three years, with an additional $100,000 available for institutions new to NSF funding for a total of $600,000 over four years. The initiative targets two-year colleges defined by certain Carnegie Classifications and aligns with NSF's comprehensive IUSE framework for improving undergraduate STEM education quality and effectiveness.