The National Science Foundation (NSF) is committed to ensuring that individuals of all backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue and excel in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and research. Through various initiatives and funding programs, the NSF aims to broaden participation across the nation's scientific enterprise, creating a more diverse, inclusive, and capable STEM workforce. This comprehensive guide outlines key NSF funding opportunities dedicated to broadening participation in STEM fields, highlighting programs that support underrepresented groups, minority-serving institutions, and initiatives aimed at creating more inclusive research and educational environments. The NSF recognizes that diverse perspectives drive innovation and discovery. The agency's commitment to broadening participation is grounded in the belief that the nation's long-term competitiveness depends on developing scientific talent from all segments of society. The NSF's strategic plan emphasizes the importance of a diverse STEM workforce and the need to remove barriers to participation for underrepresented groups. Did you know? The NSF invests over $300 million annually in programs specifically designed to broaden participation in STEM fields. These initiatives target underrepresented minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The ADVANCE program aims to develop systemic approaches to increase the representation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers. The program supports organizational change in institutions of higher education to create inclusive environments for women faculty in STEM. ADVANCE offers three funding tracks: Learn more: ADVANCE Program Page NSF INCLUDES is a comprehensive initiative to develop talent and broaden participation in STEM. The program supports alliances and partnerships that focus on scalable change through collaborative networks. INCLUDES aims to create sustainable improvements in STEM education and workforce development. INCLUDES focuses on five key components: Learn more: INCLUDES Program Page LSAMP helps fund and develop alliances among institutions of higher education to significantly increase the quality and quantity of students who successfully complete baccalaureate degrees in STEM disciplines. The program has a particular focus on underrepresented minority groups in STEM. LSAMP consists of three types of grant opportunities: Learn more: LSAMP Program Page HBCU-UP provides awards to strengthen STEM education and research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The program aims to enhance the quality of undergraduate STEM education and increase the number of students from these institutions who pursue graduate degrees and careers in STEM fields. The program offers two tracks: Learn more: HBCU-UP Program Page TCUP provides awards to Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native-serving institutions, and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions to promote quality STEM education, research, and outreach. The program supports the development of STEM capacity at these institutions while strengthening cultural connections to science. TCUP offers several funding opportunities: Learn more: TCUP Program Page AGEP aims to increase the number of underrepresented minorities obtaining graduate degrees in STEM fields and entering the professoriate. The program supports alliances of institutions that work together to develop innovative strategies for recruitment, retention, and advancement of underrepresented minority graduate students. AGEP offers two types of awards: Learn more: AGEP Program Page BPC aims to significantly increase the number of students from underrepresented groups in computing fields. The program supports efforts to develop, implement, and assess effective computing education interventions, curriculum innovations, and student support programs. ITEST supports projects that engage students and teachers in innovative technology experiences, with an emphasis on increasing understanding and skills in STEM fields. The program targets students from groups underserved in STEM and aims to build pathways into STEM careers. The REU program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in areas funded by the NSF. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program. The program encourages participation from women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities. PathSTEM supports projects that develop evidence-based approaches to increasing participation in STEM fields among students from groups underserved in STEM. The program focuses on developing comprehensive STEM pathways from pre-K to employment. When applying to NSF broadening participation funding programs, consider the following strategies: For more information about NSF funding opportunities for broadening participation, visit the NSF Funding Opportunities page and the Division of Human Resource Development programs list.
Funding Opportunities for Broadening Participation in STEM
NSF's Commitment to Broadening Participation
Major Funding Programs
ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers
INCLUDES: Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science
Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP)
Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP)
Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP)
Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP)
Additional Funding Opportunities
Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC)
Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST)
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
Pathways to STEM (PathSTEM)
Tips for Successful Applications
Resources for Prospective Applicants
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