The Historically Black Colleges and Universities – Excellence in Research (HBCU-EiR) program, administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), was created in response to congressional guidance to enhance research capacity at HBCUs. The initiative builds upon long-standing NSF efforts to increase participation in STEM and aims to connect HBCU researchers more directly with NSF’s core research programs. This funding opportunity is geared toward accredited HBCUs, especially those that have not previously succeeded in larger NSF Research and Related Activities competitions, in order to stimulate sustainable improvement in their research and development infrastructure.
The program supports fundamental research projects in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or STEM education that align with NSF directorate priorities. Researchers must designate a “secondary unit of consideration” within NSF that best matches their research area, and proposals are reviewed within that context. While no strict funding cap is imposed (aside from equipment costs, which may not exceed 30% of the total budget), applicants are encouraged to propose budgets that reflect typical award sizes within the selected research program. Awards may be either standard or continuing grants.
Eligible applicants must be full-time faculty or researchers at HBCUs. Each individual may only serve as PI or co-PI on one proposal per cycle and may not receive more than two HBCU-EiR awards during their career. Letters of Intent are required and must include the research synopsis and the NSF secondary unit of consideration. Full proposals must follow NSF PAPPG guidelines and be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov. Required components include a project description detailing research goals, institutional context, experimental design, broader impacts, a sustainability plan, metrics of success, and a dissemination strategy.
Supplemental materials include a two-page institutional support letter and, where relevant, standardized collaboration letters. All proposals must budget for the PI to attend an annual two-day meeting in Washington, DC. Indirect costs are unrestricted, and cost-sharing is not allowed. If non-HBCU institutions are involved, they must participate via subawards and their portion of the budget must be limited and well justified.
The program operates on an annual cycle. Letters of Intent are due the second Thursday of July, and full proposals are due the third Tuesday of October. The next anticipated deadlines are July 10, 2025, and October 21, 2025, respectively. Applications will be reviewed based on NSF's merit review criteria, emphasizing both intellectual merit and broader impacts. For inquiries, applicants may contact the program office at EIR@nsf.gov or (703) 292-2757.
