Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Undergraduate Program

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Directorate for STEM Education, administers the Historically Black Colleges and Universities–Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) to strengthen STEM education and research capacity at accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Managed by the Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM, HBCU-UP advances the participation and success of African American and other underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines at the undergraduate level. The program aims to expand the nation’s STEM-capable workforce by increasing the number of students from HBCUs who successfully pursue STEM degrees, research careers, and graduate education. In 2018, HBCUs conferred nearly 15% of all bachelor’s degrees in science and engineering earned by African American students, underscoring their vital contribution to national diversity in STEM. HBCU-UP awards support multiple project tracks designed to enhance institutional STEM capacity. These include Targeted Infusion Projects, Research on Broadening Participation in STEM Projects, Research Initiation Awards, Implementation Projects, and Broadening Participation Research Centers. Targeted Infusion Projects fund two- to three-year efforts that implement focused, measurable innovations in undergraduate STEM education, such as new degree programs, curricula, or laboratory modernization, with awards up to $400,000. Research on Broadening Participation in STEM Projects support up to three years of research on behavioral, cognitive, institutional, or systemic factors affecting underrepresented students’ recruitment and persistence in STEM, with budgets up to $350,000. Research Initiation Awards provide up to $450,000 over three years for faculty at HBCUs who are establishing or rebuilding their research programs. Implementation Projects provide up to $1.25 million for first-round, $2.25 million for second or third-round, and $3 million for fourth-round efforts to strengthen institutional STEM education and research. Broadening Participation Research Centers may receive up to $9 million for five years to create national research centers focusing on systemic broadening of participation in STEM. The solicitation emphasizes evidence-based practices, evaluation, and dissemination. Proposals must clearly describe the innovation or research contribution, measurable goals, and theoretical justification. Evaluation plans must include formative and summative components with benchmarks and performance indicators tied to the stated objectives. Implementation and Targeted Infusion Projects must include external evaluation, while research-focused projects must include objective external feedback mechanisms. Projects are expected to disseminate findings broadly through scholarly publications and conferences. Institutional leadership commitment and sustainability planning are essential components for all tracks. Cost sharing is not required and voluntary committed cost share is prohibited. Eligible applicants are accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities offering undergraduate degrees in STEM disciplines. Faculty from these institutions may serve as Principal Investigators following specific track requirements. HBCUs may submit a limited number of proposals per year under each track: up to two Targeted Infusion, Research on Broadening Participation, or Research Initiation proposals; one Implementation Project; and one Broadening Participation Research Center proposal if eligibility criteria are met. HBCUs actively developing STEM programs are encouraged to apply. Submissions must follow NSF’s Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and are accepted through Research.gov or Grants.gov. The program has multiple required deadlines. Letters of Intent are due the fourth Tuesday in July each year for most tracks, and preliminary proposals for Broadening Participation Research Centers are due the fourth Tuesday in March every other year. Full proposal deadlines recur annually or biennially by track: October (Implementation), November (Research Initiation, Targeted Infusion, Broadening Participation Research), and November every other year for Broadening Participation Research Centers. Applications are reviewed by NSF panels and external experts according to the National Science Board’s merit criteria of Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, with additional program-specific review factors. Approximately 136 awards totaling $62.25 million are expected over FY 2024 and FY 2025, contingent upon available funds. Program inquiries can be directed to HBCU_UP@nsf.gov or (703) 292-8633. Awards are issued as standard or continuing grants, with reporting requirements and potential for renewal based on performance. The program operates on an annual recurring cycle, with future deadlines announced on the NSF funding portal.