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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.