NSF's Eddie Bernice Johnson Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (INCLUDES) Initiative

The Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES (Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science) Initiative, led by the National Science Foundation (NSF), represents a nationwide effort to broaden participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Launched as one of NSF's “Big Ideas” in 2016, INCLUDES aims to catalyze systemic change to achieve an inclusive STEM workforce that mirrors the nation’s population diversity. It seeks to unify and strengthen existing efforts, scale up effective strategies, and build collaborative infrastructure that fosters measurable outcomes. While proposals are submitted through the Directorate for STEM Education, they are managed collaboratively across various NSF Directorates, reflecting the cross-disciplinary nature of the initiative. The INCLUDES Initiative supports five distinct project types: Design and Development Launch Pilots (DDLPs), Collaborative Change Consortia, Alliances, Network Connectors, and Conferences. Each project type serves a strategic function in fostering collaborative models and systemic solutions to equity challenges in STEM. Design and Development Launch Pilots test new approaches and build collaborative infrastructure with the potential for scale. Collaborative Change Consortia implement and study models for systemic change at city, state, or regional levels. Alliances focus on national-level impact and require a backbone organization to manage efforts. Network Connectors build linkages between existing projects and the INCLUDES National Network. Conferences create venues for idea exchange and collaboration building. Proposals must operationalize five core design elements of collaborative infrastructure: shared vision, partnerships, goals and metrics, leadership and communication, and plans for expansion, sustainability, and scale. Applications should directly address a defined broadening participation challenge, identifying the affected population and the intended system-level change. NSF encourages proposals that focus on new or underrepresented participation barriers and especially supports work that scales innovation and entrepreneurship in STEM. All proposals must connect with the INCLUDES National Network and contribute to its shared measures platform and Coordination Hub. Each project type has specific funding parameters. Design and Development Launch Pilots can receive up to $300,000 annually for two years, while Network Connectors can request up to $250,000 annually for two years, with some exceptions for higher justified costs. Collaborative Change Consortia and Alliances may request up to $1,000,000 and $2,000,000 annually, respectively, for up to five years. Conference proposals may request up to $100,000 for a one-year term. The total anticipated funding for all types in each competition year is approximately $5.5 million, with 10 to 15 awards expected. Eligibility is broad and inclusive. Institutions of higher education (two- and four-year, including community colleges), nonprofit non-academic organizations, for-profit U.S.-based organizations, state and local governments, and federally recognized Tribal Nations are eligible to apply. There are no restrictions on who may serve as Principal Investigator, though an individual or organization may only serve as lead on one proposal per project type per annual cycle (excluding conferences). Previous INCLUDES funding is not required, though proposals may incorporate former awardees. Proposals must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov, following the current NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide. Letters of Intent are not required, but a one-page concept submission is strongly encouraged at least two months prior to the full proposal deadline for alignment review. Deadlines vary by project type. Most project types follow an annual or biennial submission cycle, typically with deadlines in late October or mid-May. Conferences are accepted on a rolling basis, with a target date of the second Tuesday in May. All applications must be received by 5:00 PM local time of the submitting organization. Awards are expected to begin in May following submission.

Proposals must clearly address collaborative infrastructure with measurable metrics, shared goals, and partnerships; alignment with INCLUDES principles is essential.