ADVANCE Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers | Apply Online

NSF ADVANCE Program FAQ

What is the central problem the NSF ADVANCE program is trying to address?

The NSF ADVANCE program targets the persistent underrepresentation of women across most academic STEM faculty roles, with the gap becoming larger at senior ranks and in leadership positions. The solicitation frames this as a structural and cultural problem rather than a question of talent or interest, pointing to barriers that influence hiring, promotion, retention, recognition, and access to decision-making.

Why does NSF consider this an issue of national importance?

NSF frames the underrepresentation of women faculty in STEM as both an equity issue and a national competitiveness issue. The solicitation argues that the United States needs a stronger and more diverse science and engineering workforce, and that institutional barriers limiting women faculty participation weaken that goal.

What kinds of barriers does the solicitation identify?

The opportunity highlights well-documented structural and cultural influences, including stereotype threat; implicit and explicit bias; organizational and policy constraints within institutions; unequal impacts of work and family demands; and the ongoing lack of women in academic leadership.

Is ADVANCE focused on individuals or on institutions?

ADVANCE is designed to fund systemic, institution-level change rather than individual-level fixes. The emphasis is on changing the underlying structures that produce inequitable outcomes for women STEM faculty.

What are the main goals of the ADVANCE program?

The solicitation states two explicit goals: (1) improve the representation, working conditions, and career advancement of women faculty in STEM by changing institutional structures, and (2) contribute to the broader evidence base on gender equity in academia by generating knowledge about what works, why it works, and under what conditions.

Does the program expect projects to produce research or evidence, not just implement activities?

Yes. The solicitation emphasizes that funded projects are expected to implement change and also generate knowledge that contributes to scholarship and evidence on gender equity in academia.

What are the three main project types supported under this solicitation?

The solicitation supports three project types: Institutional Transformation (IT), Institutional Transformation Catalyst (IT Catalyst, formerly IT Start), and Partnerships for Adaptation, Implementation, and Dissemination (PAID).

What is an Institutional Transformation (IT) project?

IT projects fund comprehensive, institution-wide efforts to redesign systems and practices in ways that measurably increase recruitment, retention, and advancement of women STEM faculty. Examples described in the solicitation include revising promotion and tenure processes, improving faculty evaluation and workload policies, strengthening accountability for equity outcomes, and addressing bias in hiring and leadership selection.

What special proposal element is required for an IT submission?

An IT proposal must include an additional supplementary research component: a five-page, theory-driven study examining models, innovations, or mechanisms related to women’s participation and advancement in academic STEM. NSF encourages novel ideas or less-studied aspects of equity interventions, with the expectation that the research informs the transformation work and contributes to the broader evidence base.

What is the purpose of the Institutional Transformation Catalyst (IT Catalyst) track?

IT Catalyst is intended for institutions that have historically been resource-challenged and need support to complete the foundational self-assessment work that typically precedes major reform. The focus is on building capacity and evidence to design an effective and targeted transformation plan.

What activities are emphasized under IT Catalyst projects?

IT Catalyst projects emphasize collecting and analyzing data, reviewing policies, and diagnosing where and how barriers arise in recruitment, retention, promotion, and workplace climate for women STEM faculty.

Do IT Catalyst proposals need to justify institutional need?

Yes. The solicitation states that proposals must make a case for institutional need. It also notes that need should not simply be attributed to short-term external events (such as an economic downturn) unless the institution is disproportionately affected.

What is the PAID track designed to support?

PAID (Partnerships for Adaptation, Implementation, and Dissemination) supports efforts to adapt proven strategies, implement them in new settings, and disseminate effective practices broadly. This track is geared toward scaling and spreading interventions and translating lessons learned across different institution types.

Do PAID projects have to involve multiple institutions?

No. The solicitation indicates PAID projects may involve a single institution or partnerships among multiple institutions or organizations.

What is the possible scope of a PAID project?

PAID projects can be scoped locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally, according to the solicitation.

Are PAID projects limited to certain STEM disciplines?

PAID projects may address all STEM fields or concentrate on specific disciplines. The solicitation explicitly notes that this can include social and behavioral sciences.

Does NSF encourage applications from certain institution types?

Yes. The solicitation strongly encourages proposals from institution types that may face distinct contexts and challenges, including community colleges, primarily undergraduate institutions, minority-serving institutions (such as Tribal Colleges and Universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions), women’s colleges, and institutions primarily serving persons with disabilities.

Why does NSF emphasize different institution types?

The solicitation explicitly anticipates that barriers and solutions may differ in environments like community colleges, minority-serving institutions, or primarily undergraduate institutions compared to research-intensive universities. Applicants are invited to develop unique strategies or adapt established approaches to fit their institutional realities.

Is prior ADVANCE funding required to apply?

No. The solicitation states that prior ADVANCE funding is not required for any of the project types, keeping the competition open to first-time applicants.

Does the solicitation address intersectionality or "special populations" of women?

Yes. The program explicitly calls attention to "special populations" of women, including women of color and women with diverse backgrounds and identities (including examples such as race, ethnicity, disability status, and sexual orientation). The solicitation signals that proposals should take intersectional realities seriously rather than treating women as a single homogeneous group.

What kinds of activities are explicitly out of scope for ADVANCE?

The solicitation states that the program does not support activities focused on increasing or retaining the number of women in STEM doctoral programs, and it explicitly advises applicants not to propose student training initiatives. The focus is on women in faculty careers and making academia a viable, attractive, and equitable career option.

Can ADVANCE funds be used for dependent care costs?

Generally, ADVANCE funds cannot be used directly for dependent care costs. However, the solicitation notes that dependent care expenses may be allowable when handled through fringe benefits or indirect costs, consistent with the institution’s federally approved policies and applied consistently across funding sources.

What is the funding mechanism and assistance type for this opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by NSF as a cooperative agreement under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category, according to the solicitation summary provided.

How much total funding is estimated, and how many awards are expected?

The announcement lists total estimated funding of about $9.9 million, with an expected 22 awards.

What is the expected award size range?

Individual awards are listed as ranging from $100,000 to $4,000,000.

Is cost sharing required?

No. The solicitation specifies that there is no cost-sharing requirement.

What is the proposal cycle timing mentioned in the announcement?

The solicitation notes a biennial proposal cycle for the IT and PAID mechanisms. Under the particular announcement referenced (Funding Opportunity Number 12-584), PAID proposals were accepted in 2012 and IT and IT Catalyst proposals were accepted in 2013, with a closing date of November 12, 2013.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for the announcement described?

The information provided identifies the solicitation as Funding Opportunity Number 12-584.

What does the solicitation emphasize about the program's long-term intent?

The description emphasizes that NSF is investing in structural reforms, rigorous assessment and research, and dissemination of scalable strategies to improve equity for women faculty across STEM in higher education.