The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are the nation's highest honors for K-12 teachers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Each year, up to 110 outstanding educators from across the country may be recognized by the White House for their passion, dedication and impact in the classroom.
The awards are administered by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
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Pause of the PAEMST program
On July 18, 2025, NSF announced that it will pause the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) and the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) programs until further notice. NSF administers these programs on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Any nominations submitted during the previously scheduled Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 submission window will not be considered, and there will not be any nominations and applications accepted for FY 2026.
The pause allows NSF to conduct a comprehensive review of the programs. NSF remains committed to supporting the nation's STEM teachers and mentors and looks forward to providing future updates.
NSF remains committed to supporting STEM educators and mentors. The pause is intended to allow time for a thoughtful review and planning process.
NSF will be conducting a comprehensive review to ensure that the two programs continue to meet their goals and effectively support STEM educators and mentors.
There is no set timeline for the completion of the review. NSF is working to ensure the review is thorough and strategic. All updates will be shared in the future.
Although there are no plans to host an awards ceremony, the winners have received their stipends.
This cycle is still under review.
No. Any nominations submitted during the previously scheduled FY 2025 submission window will not be considered.
NSF will send letters to applicants and state coordinators.
No.
After the review of the program, more information will be provided.
No, the two programs will not accept nominations for the FY 2026 submission window.
NSF will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available following the program review.
Information about the programs and past awardees will remain accessible at nsf.gov/honorary-awards/paesmem and nsf.gov/honorary-awards/paemst.
About the awards
PAEMST recognizes outstanding STEM educators at the elementary or secondary grade levels. Recipients of the Presidential Award represent the best of STEM education, demonstrating deep knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable student success.
More than 5,200 PAEMST awardees have been recognized since the program was established by Congress in 1983. Many awardees continue teaching in their classrooms while others move on to positions in school administration, become involved in preparing future teachers at the university level, or work in teacher professional development.
Collectively, awardees reflect the expertise and dedication of the nation's STEM teaching corps, demonstrating the positive impact of excellent teachers on student achievement.
Credit: Andrés Harris
Why apply?
Receiving a Presidential Award can change a teacher's life. In addition to receiving the honor of a lifetime, each Presidential Awardee receives:
- A certificate signed by the President of the United States.
- A $10,000 award from NSF.
- An all-expenses paid trip to a recognition event, which includes an award ceremony and opportunities to meet with policymakers in a series of professional development activities.
- Access to the alumni network and the opportunity to build lasting partnerships with colleagues across the nation.
Furthermore, the application process asks teachers to reflect deeply on their experience and teaching practices, providing a rewarding professional development experience to all who apply.
Who is eligible?
Any teacher who wants to apply for PAEMST must:
- Teach science, technology, engineering or mathematics as part of their contracted teaching responsibilities at the K–12 grade level in a public (including charter) or private school.
- Hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Be a full-time employee of their school or school district as determined by state and district policies, with responsibilities for teaching students at least 50% of the school's allotted instructional time.
- Have at least five years of full-time employment as a K–12 teacher prior to the 2024–2025 academic school year, with science, technology, engineering or mathematics teaching duties.
- Teach in one of the 50 states, the Department of Defense Education Activity schools, or the U.S. Jurisdictions of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Not have received the PAEMST award at the national level in any prior competition or category.
The award process
1. Nomination
Anyone — principals, teachers, parents, students or members of the public — may nominate exceptional individuals who teach science, technology, engineering and mathematics in grades K-12.
To submit a nomination, the following information is required:
- Teacher's name.
- Email address.
- School contact information.
Nominations may be submitted for more than one teacher. Teachers may also initiate the application process themselves.
2. Application
Once a teacher is nominated or initiates an application, they will receive an email invitation to begin the application process.
The PAEMST application requires:
- A reflective narrative.
- A 30-minute classroom video.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Supplemental information about the teacher and their classroom.
The application is designed to allow the applicant to provide evidence of deep content knowledge, exemplary pedagogical skills, student assessment expertise, reflective teaching, and leadership that results in improved student learning. After eligibility is confirmed and technical specifications are met, each application will be evaluated using the following five dimensions of outstanding teaching:
- Mastery of content appropriate for the grade level taught.
- Use of effective instructional approaches that are appropriate for the students in the classroom and that support student learning.
- Effective use of student assessments to evaluate, monitor and improve student learning.
- Reflective practice and lifelong learning to improve teaching and student learning.
- Opportunity, access and leadership in education inside and outside of the classroom.
3. Selection
At the state and jurisdiction level, program coordinators convene selection committees, which include prominent mathematicians, scientists, mathematics/science education researchers, district-level personnel and classroom teachers. These committees select a total of six finalists (three from each award category) for recognition at the state and jurisdiction level. State and jurisdiction selection committees review applications using the criteria and scoring information presented in the application packet.
At the national level, NSF convenes a national selection committee composed of prominent mathematicians, scientists, mathematics/science education researchers, district-level personnel and classroom teachers. The national committee reviews state and jurisdiction finalists' applications using the criteria and scoring information presented in the application packet. NSF then recommends two finalists (ideally one from each award category) per state and jurisdiction to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
All finalists are subject to a Federal Bureau of Investigation background check and good standing confirmation from their principal.
4. Recognition
Each Presidential Awardee receives a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a $10,000 award from NSF and an all-expenses paid trip for an award ceremony. The recognition events may include professional development opportunities and discussions with policymakers on how to improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.
In addition, awardees join a national cohort of award-winning teachers, providing opportunities to impact teaching on a state and national scale.
Past awardees
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Contact us
Contact paemst@nsf.gov if you have any questions about the awards.
Media inquiries should be directed to media@nsf.gov.
