2026 Developing and Writing NSF Proposals: A Virtual Workshop for 2YC Geoscience Faculty

Part 1: April 17, 24, Part 2: June 15, 17, 19; June 22, 24, 26

Workshop Overview

This virtual workshop will support and mentor teams of 2YC Earth science and other STEM faculty to develop and write NSF grant proposals for submission to relevant programs in the NSF Division of Undergraduate Education (e.g., IUSE: ITYC, IUSE, S-STEM), the Directorate for Geosciences, or other programs.

All participants will work in teams (with at least one 2YC Earth science faculty member) to develop and write a proposal to be submitted to an NSF program. Proposal teams will typically include 2-3 2YC Earth science faculty members; some teams might include 2YC faculty members from other disciplines (e.g., a campus-based project), a 4YC faculty member (e.g., projects focused on 2YC-4YC transfer with the 2YC faculty as lead PI), or non-faculty, such as a Teaching and Learning Center Director.

During the virtual workshop, participants will learn more about various NSF programs and grants and be led step-by-step through the grant development, writing, and submission process with assistance from the project team, writing consultants, former NSF program officers, previous NSF proposal reviewers, and other 2YC faculty who have submitted successful NSF proposals. Each workshop day will include structured sessions as well as team/individual work time.

Workshop dates are below (4 hours/day on Zoom (12-4 ET / 11-3 CT / 10-2 MT / 9-1 PT))

Part 1: April 17, 24
Part 2: June 15, 17, 19; June 22, 24, 26

In addition, there will be pre-workshop activities and work between workshop days. Post-workshop activities will include webinars to support form completion, consultations, and draft submissions, all leading to the final submission of a complete NSF proposal.

Workshop Objectives

The specific workshop objectives are to:

1. Introduce participants to NSF grant opportunities suitable for 2YCs as lead institution;
2. Support & mentor 2YC faculty teams in developing, writing, & submitting NSF proposals;
3. Foster a community of 2YC faculty members writing NSF grant proposals;
4. Build expertise and confidence for developing NSF proposals in 2YC faculty.

Workshop Application 

Part A of the application should be completed by each team member. Part B of the application (questions about the proposed project) should be submitted by one person on the team on behalf of the team. We encourage all team members to discuss the Part B questions before a single team member submits this part of the application.

Workshop expectations: 

1. Participation in the 8-day workshop (2 in April and 6 in June).
2. Completion of pre-workshop activities, homework between the workshop parts and days, and post-workshop consultations, drafts, and submission of all components of a complete NSF proposal.
3. At least one member of your team should attend each post-workshop webinar.

We expect you to attend each day of the workshop. We understand you may have conflicting obligations during one of the workshop days; you are still welcome to apply for the workshop.

Participants will receive a stipend of $3,000: $1,500 following completion of the 8-day workshop and associated proposal draft and an additional $1,500 following completion of post-workshop activities and submission of all components of a complete NSF proposal to the workshop leaders by Friday, November 6, 2026. Stipends may be adjusted based on absences or incomplete submissions. To receive a stipend, you must be a US citizen, a permanent resident, or in the employ of a US institution.

In considering team applications, we aim to accept teams from a range of 2YC institution types and participants with a variety of experiences and professional expertise, including those with no prior experience writing grant proposals. We anticipate selecting ~10-14 teams to participate in the 2026 workshop. Applicants will be notified by Friday, March 20, 2026.

The workshop application deadline is Thursday, February 26, 2026. 

Application Part A: to be completed by all applicants
Application Part B: to be completed by one member of each team

Opportunities for 2YC Grants Officers

Grants officers from 2YCs participating in the 2026 workshop will be invited to a webinar in the spring led by three experienced 2YC grants officer presenters: Adrienne Price (Mt. San Antonio College), Matt Swenson (Green River College), & Troy Tucker (Suffolk County Community College). Grants officers from 2YCs participating in the workshop will also be invited to participate in relevant workshop sessions and webinars.

Workshop Personnel 

Workshop Conveners: Becca Walker (Mt San Antonio College), Eric Baer (Highline College), Sean Tvelia (Suffolk County Community College), Heather Macdonald (William & Mary, emerita)

Writing Consultants: Karen Layou (NAGT Geo2YC Newsletter Editor/Webmaster), Sharon Zuber (William & Mary, emerita), Jennifer Koster (Piedmont Virginia Community College)

Other Personnel

• Review mentors include Laura Guertin (Penn State Brandywine, a 2-year feeder campus of The Pennsylvania State University), Jeff Ryan (University of South Florida), and Jill Singer (Buffalo State University)
• 2YC workshop presenters: Other 2YC geoscience faculty who are PIs on NSF projects
• Project evaluator: Pamela Eddy, William & Mary, emerita

If you have any questions about the program, contact the convener team.