Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT)

Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) is sponsored by NSF Directorate for STEM Education (EDU). Promotes experiential learning opportunities in emerging technologies.

Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) Status: Waiting for new publication Important information for proposers and award recipients All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in the funding opportunity and in the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and its supplements .

All NSF grants and cooperative agreements are subject to the applicable set of NSF award terms and conditions . NSF has updated its research security policies for NSF funded projects. Supports hands-on learning opportunities for learners from nontraditional backgrounds, equipping them with skills for emerging technology fields and fostering workforce development through cross-sector partnerships.

Supports hands-on learning opportunities for learners from nontraditional backgrounds, equipping them with skills for emerging technology fields and fostering workforce development through cross-sector partnerships.

Through this initiative, the Directorate for STEM Education (EDU) and the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), in partnership with Micron Technology, Inc. (Micron) through the Micron Foundation, seek to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals from all professional and educational backgrounds, resulting in increased access to, and interest in, career pathways in emerging technology fields (e.g., advanced manufacturing, advanced wireless, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum information science, semiconductors, and microelectronics).

As NSF seeks to support the development of technologies in such fields, similar support will be needed to foster and grow a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce comprising and enabling all Americans to contribute to such innovation.

Large-scale challenges like advances in microelectronics or artificial intelligence also require a STEM workforce that brings varied perspectives and expertise to further accelerate the translation of science and engineering discoveries into large-scale solutions. Moreover, as current and new emerging technologies continue to evolve, unforeseen issues around security, safety and privacy will impact the preparation of the workforce.

Emerging technologies are also dynamic and rapidly changing, with career entry and advancement often requiring "learning-by-doing" experience, even for those with some STEM education. Therefore, NSF recognizes that a competitive emerging technology workforce must include individuals from traditional and nontraditional education pathways as well as those individuals who may have “stopped” out of traditional educational pathways.

The ExLENT program will support experiential learning opportunities designed to provide cohorts of learners with the crucial skills needed to succeed in emerging technology fields and prepare them to enter the workforce ready to solve our Nation’s most pressing challenges.

Furthermore, the ExLENT program will directly support NSF’s priority to enable all Americans the opportunity to become a part of the emerging technologies workforce 1 , thereby assuring the Nation’s competitiveness in STEM.

Key goals of the program are to (1) expand access to career-enhancing experiential learning opportunities for all individuals, including adult learners interested in re-skilling and/or upskilling (e.g., those who face or who have faced significant barriers to accessing a formal STEM education); (2) promote cross-sector partnerships between organizations in emerging technology fields and those with expertise in workforce development; and (3) develop a workforce aligned with regional economies based on emerging technologies across the Nation, in alignment with the mission of the TIP Directorate.

Updates and announcements View awards made through NSF ExLENT U.S. National Science Foundation and Micron Foundation invest nearly $38M to provide American workers with opportunities to develop skills in AI, biotechnology and other STEM priority areas April 29, 2026 - NSF Introductory Webinar to FINDERS FOUNDRY April 8, 2026 - NSF Introductory Webinar to FINDERS FOUNDRY January 7, 2025 - Office Hours: Intro to NSF ExLENT December 19, 2024 - Office Hours: Intro to NSF ExLENT June 12, 2023 - Office Hours: Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel… June 6, 2023 - Virtual Q&A: Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel… January 27, 2023 - Office Hours: Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel… January 24, 2023 - Office Hours: Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel… January 20, 2023 - Office Hours: Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel… January 10, 2023 - ExLENT Technical Webinar Awards made through this program Browse projects funded by this program Map of recent awards made through this program Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) Division of Innovation and Technology Ecosystems (TIP/ITE) Directorate for STEM Education (EDU) Division of Graduate Education (EDU/DGE) Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (EDU/DRL) Division of Undergraduate Education (EDU/DUE)