encourage science, mathematics, and engineering faculty members to take leadership in developing 

 educational experiences that enhance the competence of prospective teachers 



NSF programs which address undergraduate needs include: 



Advanced Technological Education projects, which focus on meeting the demands of the competitive. 



technology-based workplace by targeting technician education programs at the undergraduate and 



secondary school levels in advanced technology fields. 



Comprehensive Undergraduate Education Reform which supports institution-wide reforms of 



undergraduate science, engineering and mathematics education 



Alliances for Minority Participation, which support comprehensive approaches to increase the quantity 



and quality of underrepresented minorities who successfully earn science and engineering 



baccalaureate degrees, and the number who go on for graduate study in these fields 



Engineering Education Coalitions, which stimulate innovative and comprehensive models for systemic 



reform of undergraduate engineering education and aim to increase the retention of students 



Undergraduate activities will total $159 million in FY 1997, an increase of $17 million, or 11.8 percent, over 

 the FY 1996 Estimate FY 1997 priorities in undergraduate activities include expansion of the 

 Comprehensive Undergraduate Education Reform program initiated in FY 1996 and enhancements to the 

 Advanced Technological Education projects and Alliances for Minority Participation The Model 

 Institutions for Excellence program will remain at the FY 1996 level Undergraduate programs also include 

 support for Engineering Education Coalitions and interdisciplinary mentoring programs for minorities 



Graduate/Postdoctoral 



NSF's graduate education programs are designed to improve the human resource base of science and 

 engineering in the United States and to increase the participation of scientists and engineers from groups 

 that are traditionally underrepresented in advanced levels of science, mathematics, and engineering 

 Programs include: 



Graduate Fellowships and Minority Graduate Fellowships, which are awarded across all science, 



mathematics, and engineering disciplines to provide financial support for outstanding students during 



their graduate studies, 



Graduate Research Traineeships, which are awarded competitively to institutions to provide student 



support in critical areas of current and anticipated national priority; 



Research Training Groups, which foster multidisciplinary, research-based training and education at 



the graduate level; and 



Postdoctoral study and research fellowships, which are sponsored in specific research disciplines. 



Graduate and postdoctoral programs will total $106 million in FY 1997, an increase of $11 million, or 11.0 

 percent, over the FY 1996 Estimate. In FY 1997, a new class of Graduate Research Traineeships will be 

 funded and the Graduate Research Fellowships program will be enhanced to allow an increase in the 

 education allowance A new science education postdoctoral program for production of K-12 and 

 undergraduate level professionals will be initiated In addition, increases will include support for 

 international postdoctoral fellows and for industry-based fellowships for graduate students and 

 postdoctoral fellows A new competition is planned for Research Training Groups 



Other Support for Education and Training 



NSF supports programs to promote public understanding of science, mathematics, engineering, and 

 technology (SMET), including the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data on US and international 

 resources devoted to science, engineering, and technology The FY 1997 Budget Request is $17 million. 

 a decrease of $800,000, or 4 4 percent, from the FY 1996 Estimate Increases for data collection, 

 analysis, and evaluation of selected data systems will be offset by decreases in programs promoting public 

 interest and literacy in SMET 



