Broadening Participation in Engineering
This program provides funding to U.S. colleges, non-profits, and government entities to promote diversity and inclusion in the engineering workforce through innovative research and collaborative projects.
The Broadening Participation in Engineering (BPE) program by the National Science Foundation (NSF) aims to foster a diverse and inclusive U.S. engineering workforce. It supports innovative research and collaborations that address systemic barriers, enhance access, and develop equitable engineering practices. The program offers funding across four tracks: Planning and Conference Grants, Research in Broadening Participation in Engineering, Inclusive Mentoring Hubs (IMHubs), and Centers for Equity in Engineering (CEE). Each track has distinct goals and requirements, catering to various stages of readiness and levels of complexity. Funding is expected to total $13 million, supporting 25 to 40 projects annually. Grants vary by track, with Planning and Conference Grants capped at $100,000, Research Grants averaging $400,000, Inclusive Mentoring Hubs up to $800,000, and Centers for Equity in Engineering up to $1.2 million for Phase I and $4 million for Phase II. Funding spans one to five years depending on the track. Proposals for Tracks 1 and 2 are accepted any time, while Tracks 3 and 4 have annual target dates in November. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, and local or state government entities. Track 4 proposals require the Principal Investigator to be the Dean of the College of Engineering or equivalent. Proposals should align with NSF’s goals to advance equity, broaden participation, and promote diversity in the engineering enterprise. Proposals must demonstrate measurable outcomes, innovative approaches, and potential for scalability. Applications must follow NSF’s Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide and may be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov. Required components include a detailed project description, budget justification, and supplementary documents like institutional support letters for specific tracks. The submission process involves electronic validation, and applicants are encouraged to confirm receipt via the relevant submission platform. Proposals are evaluated on intellectual merit and broader impacts, assessing innovation, societal benefits, feasibility, qualifications of the team, and resource adequacy. Additional criteria include alignment with NSF’s mission and contribution to diversity in STEM. External reviews, panel discussions, and site visits (for Track 4 Phase II) may be part of the evaluation. Successful applicants will be notified by an NSF Grants and Agreements Officer and must comply with annual and final reporting requirements through Research.gov. Proposals must address sustainability and dissemination plans to ensure lasting impact. Applicants are encouraged to engage in cross-sector collaborations and connect with NSF INCLUDES initiatives to amplify their projects’ reach and effectiveness.
Award Range
$50,000 - $1,200,000
Total Program Funding
$13,000,000
Number of Awards
40
Matching Requirement
No
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -State and Local Governments -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus. *Who May Serve as PI: There are no restrictions or limits for BPE Tracks 1-3. For proposers submitting to BPE Track 4 (Centers for Equity in Engineering), the PI must be the Dean of the College of Engineering (or equivalent) or Higher of the submitting Lead Institution.
Geographic Eligibility
All
Application Opens
October 22, 2021
Application Closes
November 19, 2025
Grantor
National Science Foundation (NSF)
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