[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 81 (Tuesday, April 28, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22868-22869]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08226]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Request for Information
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Request for information.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) invites
information, suggestions, and innovations to inform a comprehensive
review of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and
Science Teaching (PAEMST) program and the Presidential Awards for
Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM)
program. Together, the programs constitute NSF's Excellence Awards in
Science and Engineering (EASE) investment. Details about the two
programs can be found at https://www.nsf.gov/honorary-awards/paemst and
https://www.nsf.gov/honorary-awards/paesmem. In July 2025, NSF
announced a pause in the annual application and award cycles of the
programs so that the agency can conduct a strategic review and planning
process to reorient the programs for the future.
DATES: NSF must receive your comments by May 28, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted using any of the following
methods:
Web: Responses can be submitted via https://nsfevaluation.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_85KQysAz92UZmlg.
Email: [email protected]. Email submissions should be
machine-readable and not be copy-protected. Submissions should include
``RFI Response: PAEMST/PAESMEM'' in the subject line.
Mail: U.S. National Science Foundation, Directorate for
STEM Education, Attn.: RFI on PAEMST/PAESMEM, Randolph Building, 401
Dulany St., Alexandria, VA 22314, USA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tyrslai Williams-Carter or Narcrisha
Norman, Directorate for STEM Education, U.S. National Science
Foundation, Randolph Building, 401 Dulany St., Alexandria, VA 22314;
email [email protected]; phone 703-292-8600.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The PAEMST and PAESMEM programs recognize the nation's best and
brightest teachers and mentors in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM). Established by the White House, both programs are
administered by NSF on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy (OSTP). While the following paragraphs summarize the historical
operation of the programs, through this RFI, NSF welcomes suggestions
for changes that transform the programs.
The PAEMST award is the highest recognition that a kindergarten
through 12th-grade STEM teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in
the United States. These awards were established by Congress in 1983.
Annually, up to 110 outstanding teachers from around the country are
recognized for their passion, dedication, and impact in the classroom.
Over 5,500 teachers have received the award to date.
STEM teachers in each state submit applications to the PAEMST
program. The program receives and reviews the applications in two
groups, K-6th grade teachers and 7th-12th grade teachers. Awardees are
selected from each state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity schools, and
the U.S. jurisdictions (i.e., American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
Each awardee receives $10,000 and a certificate signed by the
President. Awardees are also invited to participate in a recognition
ceremony in Washington, DC, which includes meetings with leaders in
STEM education, research, and policy. After receiving the award, many
awardees continue teaching in their classrooms, while others move to
positions in school administration, become involved in preparing future
teachers at the university level, or work in teacher professional
development. Collectively, they reflect the expertise and dedication of
America's STEM teaching corps, and
[[Page 22869]]
they demonstrate the positive impact of excellent teachers on student
achievement.
The PAEMST application and award process consists of the following
components:
Nomination --> Application --> State Review --> State Finalist
Selection --> Application Refinement --> National Review --> Award
Notification --> Award Announcement --> Awardee Recognition --> Awardee
Engagement
PAEMST applicants are evaluated according to five ``dimensions'':
Dimension 1: Mastery of content appropriate for the grade level
taught.
Dimension 2: Use of effective instructional approaches that are
appropriate for the students in the classroom and that support student
learning.
Dimension 3: Effective use of student assessments to evaluate,
monitor, and improve student learning.
Dimension 4: Reflective practice and life-long learning to improve
teaching and student learning.
Dimension 5: Opportunity, access, and leadership in education
inside and outside the classroom.
The PAESMEM award serves as the nation's highest recognition of
excellence in mentoring in STEM. It was established by the White House
in 1995. Annually, up to 15 individuals and organizations are honored
for their passion, dedication, and impact on mentoring, which supports
the future productivity of the U.S. STEM workforce. Over 350 mentors
have received the award to date.
Nominations (including self-nominations) are encouraged from all
geographic regions of the United States. Individuals and organizations
from the public and private sectors--including industry, academia, K-
12, military and government, non-profit organizations, and
foundations--are eligible. Exceptional STEM or STEM-related mentoring
in both formal and informal settings is eligible for recognition. Each
individual or organization selected for an award receives $10,000 and a
certificate signed by the President. Awardees are also invited to
participate in a recognition ceremony in Washington, DC, which includes
meetings with leaders in STEM education, research, and policy. New
awardees join a community of award-winning mentors and have
opportunities to expand their impact on a national scale.
The PAESMEM application and award process consists of the following
components:
Nomination --> Application --> National Review --> Award
Notification --> Award Announcement --> Awardee Recognition --> Awardee
Engagement
PAESMEM applicants are evaluated according to four ``dimensions'':
Dimension 1: Mentoring Philosophy and Strategies
Dimension 2: Assessment and Outcomes
Dimension 3: Reflective Practice
Dimension 4: Leadership and Sustainability
II. Solicitation of Comments: Reviewing the PAEMST and PAESMEM Programs
As part of NSF's commitment to supporting the development of a
robust, high-quality STEM workforce in the United States, the agency
wishes to continue to stimulate innovation and promote high-quality
teaching at the K-12 level and mentoring across all levels. NSF seeks
information to inform an assessment and update of the PAEMST and
PAESMEM programs. In particular, NSF requests insights on exemplary
practices and input on lessons learned from the programs; the
information that the programs should require nominators and applicants
to provide; and the criteria that the programs should use to determine
which applicants/nominees should be selected to receive an award.
Responding to the questions below is voluntary; all questions are
optional. If you choose to respond, please respond to any or all of the
questions and respond with regard to both programs (PAEMST and PAESMEM)
or either program.
1. Do you think that any components of the PAEMST and/or PAESMEM
application and award processes should be revised to more effectively
promote identification and recognition of the highest quality teachers
and mentors from all types of institutions across the nation?
2. Do you think that any of the ``dimensions'' (outlined in the
background section above) that are used to evaluate applicants/nominees
should be revised or removed/eliminated? Should any new dimensions be
considered? Please provide justification for the changes suggested.
3. How do you think applicants'/nominees' success in each dimension
should be indicated in applications and assessed as part of the review
process? In particular, how should the applicants/nominees demonstrate
that they are using effective pedagogies, models, and frameworks to
achieve success in teaching or mentoring for the communities they
serve? How should they demonstrate the use of research and data to set
goals, to monitor progress toward goals, to address gaps and defects in
their practices, and to ensure success and impact?
4. How do you think applicants/nominees should demonstrate the
effectiveness and impact of their efforts on the STEM workforce
(including the teacher/faculty workforce)? Important elements of such
efforts include a commitment to success for all students; promoting
students' persistence in STEM and advancement in the STEM workforce;
engaging in professional development; providing advice to colleagues
and service to the community; building knowledge in STEM education; and
exhibiting transparency regarding outcomes.
This is a request for information only. It is not a Notice of
Funding Opportunity (NOFO) or a promise to issue a NOFO. Information
and documents submitted in response to this RFI become the property of
the U.S. Government and will not be returned.
Accessible Format: If you need this document in an accessible
format, contact the person(s) listed under ``For Further Information
Contact'' above for an accommodation. Please specify the format(s) that
would meet your needs.
Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this
document is the version published in the Federal Register, which is
available online at https://www.federalregister.gov.
(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1861, et seq.)
Dated: April 24, 2026.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2026-08226 Filed 4-27-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P