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NSF Broadening Participation in Engineering (BPE) - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NSF Broadening Participation in Engineering (BPE) program?

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Broadening Participation in Engineering (BPE) program is a directorate-wide grant opportunity focused on strengthening the diversity and readiness of the U.S. engineering workforce. It places particular emphasis on engineers who pursue advanced degrees and academic careers, and it treats broadening participation as both a workforce priority and an innovation strategy.

What is the main purpose or rationale behind BPE?

BPE is built around the idea that engineering innovation improves when the people doing the work bring a wider range of lived experiences and perspectives to research, education, and technology development. Because engineering solves human problems in a society that is becoming increasingly diverse, the program aims to ensure future engineering faculty and leaders can integrate inclusion and excellence in their scholarly work.

Who does BPE aim to support?

A central priority of BPE is supporting early career engineering faculty, especially those from groups that have been historically underrepresented in engineering, so they can thrive as researchers and educators and become long-term advocates and change agents within their institutions.

How does NSF define underrepresented groups for this program?

In the provided program description, NSF defines underrepresented groups in engineering as women, persons with disabilities, and racial/ethnic groups that are in the minority in engineering: African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Pacific Islanders.

Is BPE only about student diversity, or does it focus on faculty too?

The program places particular emphasis on advanced-degree pathways and academic careers. Its current emphasis is on helping engineering faculty embed effective broadening participation strategies into their research, teaching, mentoring, and innovation activities, in ways that are evidence-based and that also advance their academic careers.

What kinds of projects does BPE expect to fund?

BPE-funded projects are expected to be grounded in existing scholarship on participation and persistence in engineering and to contribute new knowledge about what works, for whom, and under what conditions. The program also supports mentoring and networking efforts and research projects that develop and study models or interventions to improve participation and success for underrepresented groups in advanced engineering pathways.

What are the key research and impact areas highlighted by BPE?

The program highlights areas such as: understanding how diversity across students, the professional workforce, and faculty influences innovation and productivity; identifying underlying causes of unequal participation rates in engineering that faculty and institutions can realistically address; and examining experiences, environments, and interactions that support or hinder persistence to degree, ongoing interest in engineering careers, and aspirations toward the professoriate among underrepresented groups.

How is the BPE program organized?

The program is organized around three connected elements: (1) Broadening Participation Research Initiation Grants in Engineering (BRIGE), (2) mentoring and networking opportunities for early career engineering faculty, and (3) Broadening Participation Research awards that support research projects (up to three years) focused on improving participation and success in advanced engineering pathways.

What is BRIGE and who is it intended for?

Broadening Participation Research Initiation Grants in Engineering (BRIGE) are intended to jump-start the careers of early career engineering faculty who will champion diversity throughout their professional lives. BRIGE awards are meant to help early career faculty integrate effective diversity and inclusion strategies directly into their engineering research, education, and innovation agendas.

Does BRIGE have a separate submission process?

Yes. BRIGE submissions must be made through the separate BRIGE solicitation rather than the general BPE pathway.

Are proposals from certain faculty or institutions specifically encouraged for BRIGE?

Yes. Proposals from women, persons with disabilities, members of underrepresented groups in engineering, and faculty at Minority Serving Institutions are particularly encouraged.

How does BRIGE relate to academic career advancement?

BRIGE is described as supporting early career faculty in ways that strengthen competitiveness for promotion and tenure and position them for future NSF opportunities such as CAREER awards.

What does BPE support related to mentoring and networking?

BPE supports the creation of mentoring and networking opportunities designed specifically for early career engineering faculty, with special attention to those who are typically underrepresented in engineering departments. These projects should create structured ways for participants to connect with mentors, peers, and broader professional communities in ways that can be shown to improve long-term career success.

Does NSF expect mentoring/networking projects to continue after NSF funding ends?

Yes. The program states that NSF funds are intended to seed new efforts rather than indefinitely sustain existing programs. Proposals in this area are expected to include a credible sustainability plan so the model can continue without ongoing NSF support.

What are Broadening Participation Research awards under BPE?

Broadening Participation Research awards support research projects of up to three years that develop and study new models, interventions, or innovations aimed at improving participation and success for underrepresented groups in advanced engineering pathways, particularly graduate education, postdoctoral training, and academic engineering careers.

What project sizes are appropriate for Broadening Participation Research awards?

NSF indicates openness to a wide range of project sizes, from small exploratory studies to larger, systemic investigations, as long as the proposed budget matches the scope. The program explicitly encourages smaller-scale exploratory projects that add to the evidence base for diversifying engineering faculty.

What are examples of exploratory topics encouraged by the program?

The description gives examples such as studies on pathways into graduate programs, how faculty reward structures influence participation and advancement, or targeted approaches to broadening participation for particular populations.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is described as an NSF discretionary grant program under CFDA 47.041 (Engineering Grants).

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The description states there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.

How many awards and how much total funding were anticipated?

At the time of the posted description, NSF anticipated roughly 15 awards with an estimated total funding amount of $300,000.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was described as unrestricted (open to many entity types), subject to any clarifications in the full announcement.

When were proposals accepted?

Proposals were generally accepted anytime, with BRIGE following its own solicitation timeline.

What is PD 13-7680 and what is its current status?

The listing referenced as PD 13-7680 was later replaced (by PD 14-7680) and archived. The summary information provided captures the core goals, target communities, and main funding tracks described in the opportunity.

Does this summary indicate whether the opportunity is still active?

The provided information states the specific listing (PD 13-7680) was replaced and archived. No additional status details beyond that are included in the description.