Two NSF programs. Both focused heavily on two-year colleges. But ITYC is not ATE with a different name.
NSF’s ITYC program offers up to $500,000 to improve undergraduate STEM education at two-year colleges — from student learning and academic pathways to faculty development and broader institutional innovation.
The important question is what problem are you actually trying to solve?
In this week’s Funding Fridays, we look at:
- What NSF is really trying to accomplish through ITYC
- How ITYC differs from Advanced Technological Education (ATE)
- The two ITYC tracks and how to think about fit
- What separates a promising idea from a competitive NSF project
- Common mistakes to avoid before investing in an application
Our biggest advice? Start with the STEM education problem — not the grant, and not the equipment.
The next deadline is December 9, 2026, which means now is a good time for colleges to assess fit and begin developing a strong concept.
Watch this week’s Funding Fridays for our take on the opportunity, and reach out to The New Growth Group if your institution is considering an ITYC application and would like support assessing fit or developing a competitive proposal.
#FundingFridays #NSF #CommunityColleges #STEMEducation #GrantFunding #HigherEducation