The April 2022 edition of the RWFI E-Note Monthly, the newsletter of NETL’s Regional Workforce Initiative (RWFI), highlights funding opportunities for advancing undergraduate STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

This month’s edition focuses on the NSF’s Future of Manufacturing program to support fundamental research and education of a future workforce to overcome scientific, technological, educational, economic and social barriers, and  catalyze new production capabilities.

Future of Manufacturing supports research and education that will enhance U.S. leadership in manufacturing by providing new capabilities for established companies and entrepreneurs, improve our health, quality of life and national security, and expand job opportunities for a diverse STEM workforce while reducing the impact of manufacturing on the environment.

At the same time, Future of Manufacturing enables new manufacturing opportunities to address urgent social challenges arising from climate change, global pandemics and health disparities, social and economic divides, infrastructure deficits of marginalized populations and communities, and environmental sustainability.

The deadline to submit proposals for Future of Manufacturing funding is Tuesday, May 10.

The NSF is also offering funding opportunities for those interesting in Advancing Innovation and Impact in Undergraduate STEM Education at Two-Year Institutions of Higher Education.

This program is a targeted approach for advancing innovative and evidence-based practices in undergraduate STEM education at two-year colleges. It also seeks to support systemic approaches to advance inclusive and equitable STEM education practices.

NSF is interested in projects with potential outcomes that include but are not limited to: making systemic improvements in STEM education; promoting diversity, equity and inclusion; and/or mitigating the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on two-year colleges.

Interested parties must submit their proposals by Monday, May 2.

Previous editions of RWFI E-Note Monthly can be found in the newsletter’s online archive. Click here for more information about the NETL Regional Workforce Initiative.

NETL is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory that drives innovation and delivers technological solutions for an environmentally sustainable and prosperous energy future. By leveraging its world-class talent and research facilities, NETL is ensuring affordable, abundant and reliable energy that drives a robust economy and national security, while developing technologies to manage carbon across the full life cycle, enabling environmental sustainability for all Americans.