The hands of a woman shown typing on a computer keyboard with a coffee drink nearby.

Exciting news - the newest ATE program solicitation is now available from the National Science Foundation! The focus of the new solicitation is the same as it’s been in years past in that it provides funds to advance the knowledge base related to technician education.

In this cycle, an estimated 45 to 80 standard and continuing grants will be made totaling approximately $75 million for 2022. Grants may be awarded in a wide variety of sizes and durations. The actual number of awards and sizes are subject to the availability of funds and quality of proposals.

To read about the important updates and revisions to this program solicitation, check out the most recent ATE Impacts blog.

Geospatial Educators Certification program logo

The GeoTech Center is now accepting applications for the next round of the Geospatial Educators Certification (GeoEdC) program. Participants will be provided a $1,000 stipend for successful completion of the program. 

Applications are due by August 16, 2021.To learn more about GeoEdC and to apply, visit the GeoEdC hub site. Questions about the program should be addressed to Michael Ragan or Ken Yanow. 

High Impact Technology Exchange Conference 2021 logo

Always a popular event in the ATE community calendar, the 2021 High Impact Technology Exchange Conference (HI-TEC) will be held virtually this year on Wednesday and Thursday, July 21-22, starting at noon EDT. Community members wanting to attend will need to register either individually or as an institution.

The virtual conference will feature live keynote addresses by industry leaders and panel discussions, as well as a variety of “on-demand” pre-recorded sessions that will be available for six months after the conference. 

For further details about the conference, including the featured panel presentations and registration information, check out the ATE Impacts Blog post and visit the HI-TEC website.

Three people discuss various disabilities

As an advocate for your students with disabilities, it can be challenging to get into discussions with potential employers about providing workplace accommodations. Check out this tip sheet from DeafTEC and AccessATE on Educating the Employer for helpful hints and resources to give employers the information they need about the benefits and requirements that come with hiring persons with disabilities. 

This tip sheet covers workplace accommodations, safety, and confidentiality, and links to additional useful resources. To learn more, be sure to read the AccessATE blog post on Common Workplace Accommodations. 

AccessATE supports the work of the NSF-funded Advanced Technological Education (ATE) projects and centers in making the materials and activities they develop more accessible for all students and faculty, including those with disabilities. The project aims to increase awareness and understanding of accessibility requirements and provide guidance, tools, and support that offers solutions and helps achieve compliance with accessibility standards.

Image of the Mentor Links banner.

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is pleased to announce a deadline extension for its national grant competition, MentorLinks: Advancing Technological Education program, developed with the support of the National Science Foundation.

MentorLinks is designed for community colleges seeking to develop or strengthen STEM technician education programs. Colleges should be interested in working with an experienced community college mentor who has successfully planned and implemented a major change in a high-technology program.

MentorLinks colleges will receive $20,000 for the 2-year grant period and travel support for the project director to attend project meetings and national conferences (as permissible). The grant’s primary emphasis is on valuable networking, and opportunities for technical assistance and professional development.

The grant period runs October 1, 2021–November 30, 2023. For complete information and to apply by the extended deadline of July 16, please go to www.aacc.nche.edu/MentorLinks.

Image of the NSF logo.

Did you know that in 2019 ATE grantees educated 65,000 students? ATE covers a wide range of fields, from agriculture to advanced manufacturing to cybersecurity and beyond. During its twenty-eight-year history there have been ATE projects in every state of the US.

Learn more about the ATE Program with the ATE Program Overview Brief.

Image of the webinar event banner.

If you are developing an NSF ATE Grant Proposal, you will need to indicate how you will ensure women will be included in your program, and that can be hard to do in fields with very few women – whether it’s drone technology or cybersecurity or manufacturing. This webinar from National Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Executive Director Donna Milgram will give you best practice examples and case studies of how ATE Projects successfully broadened the participation of women in two-year colleges.

Participants will walk away with proven strategies that will result in actual increases in female enrollment and retention and will provide your school with a framework for your NSF Proposal. And here’s an added bonus: these strategies have also been proven to help with the recruitment and retention of male students.

The webinar will take place on June 22, 2021 at 2:00 pm ET. Those interested in participating should register to attend.

Image of the National Science Foundation (NSF) logo.

This NSF workshop series is designed to provide insight on how to compete for funding in STEM education. The workshop will offer key insights into NSF for faculty, researchers, and administrators.  

Workshop participants will hear from and engage with NSF Program Officers, learn about the Directorate of Education and Human Resources (EHR) programs of interest, and gain insight on the merit review process.

The workshop will be hosted virtually through Zoom on the following dates and times: 

Workshop Day 1: Navigating NSF, June 14, 2021, from 11:00 am – 2:30 pm EDT

Workshop Day 2: Partnerships, June 15, 2021, from 11:00 am – 2:30 pm EDT

Workshop Day 3: Technical Assistance, June 16, 2021, from 11:00 am – 2:30 pm EDT

Image of the Mentor Links banner.

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is pleased to announce a national call for applications for the MentorLinks: Advancing Technological Education program, developed with the support of the National Science Foundation. AACC seeks applications from 2-year college professionals who are interested in serving as mentors to work with a college whose faculty and administration want to develop or strengthen a certificate or degree program for technicians in a STEM field. 

MentorLinks colleges will be selected in a separate request for proposal process and assigned to a mentor. Up to ten institutions will be selected as MentorLinks colleges and up to ten individual mentors will be named to the MentorLinks Mentor Team for a 2-year grant period beginning October 1, 2021, and ending November 30, 2023. Mentors will receive an honorarium and travel support to attend national project meetings and to conduct college site visits (as permissible). For complete information and to apply by the deadline of June 24, 2021, please go to www.aacc.nche.edu/MentorLinks.

A teacher's hand helps students bridge the gap between education and workforce.

Being a good advocate for your students with disabilities when working with industry partners and employers just got a little bit easier! Check out this tip sheet from DeafTEC and AccessATE on Advocating for Student Skills to find helpful hints and resources.

This tip sheet covers conversations with employers, afirming student identity, and more. To find additional resources that will help you support your disabled students, read the AccessATE blog post on Advocating for Student Skills.

AccessATE supports the work of the NSF-funded Advanced Technological Education (ATE) projects and centers in making the materials and activities they develop more accessible for all students and faculty, including those with disabilities. The project aims to increase awareness and understanding of accessibility requirements and provide guidance, tools, and support that offers solutions and helps achieve compliance with accessibility standards.