Scholarships in STEM Network

The Scholarships in STEM Network (S-STEM-Net) program, administered by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), is a strategic funding initiative designed to advance research and knowledge dissemination surrounding the success of low-income students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Rooted in the goals of the broader S-STEM legislation, this program seeks to support several S-STEM Research Hubs (S-STEM-Hubs) that will collectively form a national network focused on fostering inclusivity, adaptability, and access in higher education. Each S-STEM-Hub is expected to support a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach that investigates evolving barriers to student success and disseminates context-rich insights into effective interventions. These research hubs will work with stakeholders across higher education institutions, local and regional organizations, industry partners, and various levels of government to develop scalable and transferable best practices. The core mission is to enhance graduation and career outcomes for domestic low-income undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields. Eligible applicants include accredited U.S. two- and four-year institutions of higher education acting on behalf of their faculty, and non-profit, non-academic organizations such as museums, observatories, research labs, and professional societies associated with education or research. Proposals must demonstrate significant experience with the S-STEM program or with services and research supporting low-income students in STEM. Applicants may only submit or be listed as PI or co-PI on one proposal. Letters of collaboration from partnering institutions are required, as is the inclusion of a project evaluation plan conducted by an independent external evaluator. Up to five awards will be made, each providing up to $3 million over a maximum project period of five years, for a total program funding of $15 million. This program does not permit cost sharing. Successful proposals must detail robust strategies for interinstitutional collaboration, management, and dissemination of results. Required activities include fostering innovative research on student success, gathering and analyzing data, scaling effective practices, developing mechanisms for knowledge dissemination, and ensuring inclusive participation from diverse institution types. Applications must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov, following the NSF Proposal & Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). The next full proposal deadline is August 14, 2025, with subsequent deadlines falling on the second Thursday in August annually. Principal Investigators are expected to attend biennial S-STEM PI meetings in Washington, D.C., and must budget accordingly for travel. Awards will be reviewed based on NSF’s core criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, and evaluations will also include attention to the inclusivity, scalability, and innovation of the proposed activities. For general inquiries, applicants may contact NSF at s-stem@nsf.gov. Questions regarding the use of Research.gov or Grants.gov should be directed to the respective help desks listed in the solicitation.