NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program

The National Science Foundation (NSF) established the Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program to support academically talented, low-income students pursuing degrees in NSF-eligible STEM fields. The program is grounded in the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act and aims to increase the retention and graduation rates of such students in associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degree programs. The program not only provides scholarships but also funds institutions of higher education (IHEs) to implement and assess curricular and co-curricular supports that improve student success in STEM disciplines. The S-STEM program offers funding through three tracks: Institutional Capacity Building (Track 1), Implementation Projects (Track 2), and Inter-institutional Consortia (Track 3). Track 1 supports institutions that have not received S-STEM or STEP awards in the past five years and requires an initial planning period. Track 2 is open to any eligible institution and supports ongoing scholarship and student success infrastructure. Track 3 supports large-scale, multi-institutional efforts and requires both an evaluation and a research component. Each track has specific budget caps and scholarship fund allocation requirements, with Track 1 and 2 projects eligible for up to $2 million over six years, and Track 3 projects up to $5 million. Eligibility to apply is limited to accredited two- and four-year U.S. institutions of higher education. Proposals must be submitted by faculty or academic administrators currently or previously engaged in STEM teaching. Proposals from institutions with active S-STEM or STEP awards in the past five years are ineligible for Track 1. Institutions may submit up to two proposals per deadline, and these proposals must not overlap in disciplinary focus. Eligibility for scholarships is restricted to low-income domestic students demonstrating financial need and academic potential, with eligibility definitions detailed by each institution’s financial aid office. The application process requires submission via Research.gov or Grants.gov, depending on the proposal’s duration. Proposals must include several supplementary documents, including a letter from the institution’s financial aid office, an analysis of the scholar pool, logic models, and evaluation plans. Application reviews are based on NSF’s standard merit criteria—intellectual merit and broader impacts—as well as alignment with legislative goals and demonstrated student workforce outcomes. The deadline for full proposal submission is March 4, 2025, with annual deadlines on the first Tuesday of March thereafter. The program is recurring and not offered on a rolling basis. There are no requirements for Letters of Intent or preliminary proposals. While the program does not require cost sharing, all scholarship funds must be used as “last-dollar” aid, and at least 50 to 60 percent of awarded funds (depending on the track) must be used directly for scholarships. Each proposal must also include plans for supporting student cohorts and faculty mentoring. For more information or assistance, applicants may contact one of the many listed program officers at NSF. Examples include Thomas D. Kim (tkim@nsf.gov, 703-292-4458) and Michael J. Ferrara (mferrara@nsf.gov, 703-292-2635). A full list of program officers is available within the solicitation, and additional guidance, including webinar opportunities, is accessible on the program’s web page.