Broadening Participation in Computing

The Broadening Participation in Computing program under the national science foundation aims to significantly increase the participation of underrepresented groups in computing disciplines. These groups include women, persons with disabilities, Blacks and African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. The program seeks to develop and implement innovative strategies to improve recruitment, retention, and educational opportunities for these groups, fostering their participation through undergraduate and graduate degrees. BPC projects are expected to contribute nationally by creating sustainable, replicable, and scalable models that can be adopted broadly across educational and professional settings. The program supports a variety of projects, including those focused on research, implementation, and demonstration of effective practices. Research projects should generate knowledge and evidence about effective strategies, while implementation projects should deploy these strategies in real-world educational or professional environments. Collaboration among academic institutions, industry partners, and community organizations is strongly encouraged to ensure broad impact and long-term sustainability of the initiatives. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, and other entities engaged in computing education and workforce development. Proposals must align with the goals of the program and demonstrate clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and plans for dissemination of findings and best practices. Projects that engage multiple stakeholders and emphasize systemic change are particularly encouraged. The submission process requires adherence to NSF guidelines, including detailed project descriptions, budget justifications, and evaluation plans. Applicants are encouraged to consult NSF program officers before submission to ensure alignment with program goals and requirements. Proposals will be evaluated based on intellectual merit, broader impacts, and the feasibility of achieving stated objectives. Key dates and deadlines are specified in the funding announcement, with applicants required to submit proposals through the NSF’s official submission system. Successful applicants will receive funding to support their projects over a defined period, with progress monitored through annual reports and final evaluations. For more information, applicants are directed to review the full funding opportunity announcement, consult the NSF proposal preparation guidelines, and contact program officers for assistance.