Call for Proposals: Revitalizing STEM Education to equip Next Generations with STEM Competency

The project aims to create innovative educational solutions, to increase institutional and professional capabilities and to share knowledge and best practices at both regional and global levels. As recognised by the Transforming Education Summit, the development of STEM education is critical in achieving the objectives outlined by the United Nations in its 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 4 and SDG 9.

The 15-months project aims at revitalising STEM learning models for next generations to confront the most pressing societal needs and global challenges. Building on the knowledge generated during the first phase of the project, a STEM education clearinghouse will be established to serve as a knowledge hub for the region, enabling knowledge-sharing and the scaling up of good practices in STEM education.

Eligible Topics

• Each proposal shall include two components, one related to STEM Research Activities and one related to STEM Educational Activities.
• For STEM Research Activities, the research should focus on one of the following domains:
  • Correlation between investments in STEM and educational outcomes
  • Female participation in STEM education
  • Flexible teaching and learning models and inclusive approaches
  • Technologies development and application in STEM education in schools
  • Effectiveness of the educational system to deliver STEM education
  • National ecosystem and policies for STEM education
• For STEM Educational Activities, the activities should relate to one of the following modalities:
  • STEM teaching and learning activities for learners
  • Strengthening teacher development and inclusive STEM pedagogies

Outcomes

The project Revitalizing STEM Education to equip Next Generations with STEM Competency will focus on the two following outcomes:

• Outcome 1: Educators and learners in the region are able to benefit from the improvement of the teaching and learning practices based on the promotion of STEM education research and innovation at the regional level.
• Outcome 2: Learners and stakeholders in STEM education in the region are able to benefit from the STEM clearinghouse to support knowledge sharing and form a Regional STEM Alliance to sustain collaboration and synergies.

Eligible Applicants 

• Educational agencies, universities, research agencies, independent experts, NGOs, schools from European countries (with a priority focus on South-East Europe and the Mediterranean) are all eligible applicants. Project proposals will need to consider national and local STEM educational landscapes and coordinate with relevant stakeholders in making sure that the project will contribute to revitalising STEM learning models for future generations.
• A supervisory board will select up to five project proposals that include components of STEM Research Activities and STEM Educational Activities. These components should be related. For example, if the chosen research activity is female participation in STEM education, the project should then implement educational activities aiming at fostering female participation in STEM subjects.
• Each selected proposal will receive funding of up to 26,000 USD per project. The selected project teams will need to provide a detailed budget with itemised costs and an implementation plan of their activities for a duration of six months starting April/ May 2024.
• Project teams will be working closely with UNESCO on the implementation of their two activities. In particular, UNESCO will work with project teams to ensure the work proposed is linked closely to UNESCO mandates, notably in science and education, and that it is scalable at regional and global levels. UNESCO will also collaborate with the communities involved in the activities.
• The five selected project teams will have the opportunity to exchange and support each other throughout the duration of the projects and participate in international events organised by UNESCO, or in which UNESCO is participating, where feasible.

For more information, visit UNESCO.