Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology Postdoctoral Research Program

The Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology Postdoctoral Research Program (CREST-PRP), administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for STEM Education, supports early career postdoctoral researchers from groups underrepresented in STEM. This initiative aims to expand research capabilities at minority-serving institutions (MSIs) through the CREST Centers, focusing on enhancing workforce diversity and preparing scholars for leadership roles in scientific communities. The program responds to national goals to bolster representation in STEM fields, as emphasized by policies like the CHIPS and Science Act and NSF’s strategic objectives. CREST-PRP awards provide up to two years of full-time support to postdoctoral scholars conducting research aligned with the focus areas of active CREST Centers. Candidates must submit proposals individually, identifying a scientific mentor affiliated with an active CREST Center and securing commitment from the host institution. If selected, the award is transferred to the host institution, which appoints the postdoctoral scholar as the project’s principal investigator and administers the grant. Each award offers a maximum of $85,000 per year, including a salary of up to $70,000 and an annual allowance of $15,000 for research-related expenses. In addition, scholars may apply for up to $50,000 in supplementary funding to support collaborative research at a non-CREST institution. Host institutions must agree to provide salary, benefits, and research resources, and they must submit revised budgets incorporating institutional fringe and indirect costs during the pre-award transfer process. Eligibility is restricted to U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents who have received or are expected to receive their doctoral degree from an MSI. Candidates must not have accumulated more than 24 months of postdoctoral experience in roles requiring a doctoral degree and must not have previously served as a PI or co-PI on any NSF award, except for NSF Graduate Research Fellowships. Institutions must enroll at least 50% minority students, as verified through IPEDS data. Proposals are submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov and must include a comprehensive research and training plan, a statement on broader impacts, justification of mentor and institution selection, and letters from the host institution and mentors. Proposal review is based on NSF’s core merit criteria—Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts—along with specific programmatic considerations such as professional development and alignment with CREST Center priorities. Application deadlines fall on the last Friday of February and the first Friday of October annually. Awards are not renewable, and no concurrent fellowships are permitted. All funded scholars are expected to participate in NSF-sponsored meetings and to comply with reporting requirements, including interim, annual, and final reports. For general inquiries, applicants may contact crest@nsf.gov or (703) 292-8634.