Opportunity Information: Apply for 14 565
Apply for 14 565
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041 Engineering Grants 47.076 Education and Human Resources.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 13, 2015 and posted on May 14, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 5, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $13,100,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Who May Submit Proposals Proposals may only be submitted by the following Preliminary and invited full CREST Center proposals may be submitted byminority serving institutions of higher education in the United States. This denotes institutions that have undergraduate enrollments of 50 or more (based on total student enrollment) of members of minority groups underrepresented among those holding advanced degrees in science and engineering fields African Americans, Alaska Natives, American Indians, Hispanic Americans, Native Hawaiian, and Native Pacific Islanders. Eligibility as a minority serving institution will be determined by reference to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) of the US Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics (a hrefhttp://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds//a). Proposals are also invited from institutions of higher education that primarily serve populations of students with disabilities (a hrefhttp://www.nsf.gov/od/broadeningparticipation/nsfframeworkforaction0808.pdfhttp://www.nsf.gov/od/broadeningparticipation/nsfframeworkforaction0808.pdf/a).Support may be provided to partner institutions through subawards. HBCU RISE proposals are invited from Historically Black Colleges and Universities that offer doctoral degrees in science (including social, behavioral, and economic science), technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines.br /br /SBIR /STTR diversity collaborative supplement proposals are invited from current SBIR/STTR Phase II grantees and their CREST Center or HBCU RISE institution partners. BPR in STEM Education proposals are invited from institutions meeting the organizational eligibility for CREST Center or HBCU RISE proposals. Who May Serve as PI Principal Investigators for CREST Center, HBCU RISE, BPR, and SBIR/STTR awards must be employed by a CREST Center, HBCU RISE, BPRor SBIR/STTR eligible institution, respectively.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) opportunity (NSF 14-565) is a discretionary grant program designed to strengthen the research capacity and competitiveness of U.S. minority-serving institutions (MSIs) by building centers that tightly integrate research and education. The program is aimed at producing new knowledge, increasing the research productivity of faculty, and growing the participation and success of students who have been historically underrepresented in STEM, including at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels. A central theme across CREST is workforce development: proposals are expected to show how the supported activities will contribute to a more diverse STEM workforce and how the institution will create an environment where underrepresented groups are recruited, retained, mentored, and advanced.
The core funding mechanism is the CREST Center award, which typically provides multi-year support (commonly five years) to an eligible MSI that already has a solid foundation in research and education but needs focused investment to reach and sustain national competitiveness in a clearly defined area of national significance in science or engineering. Competitive center proposals are expected to present a compelling vision for improving research infrastructure and capacity, explain how the planned work will create synergy among participating faculty and programs, and lay out a comprehensive strategy for long-term sustainability beyond the award period. CREST Centers are also expected to provide visible leadership in broadening participation by embedding proven or innovative approaches for mentorship, recruitment, and retention of students, faculty, and postdoctoral researchers from underrepresented groups.
Beyond the main center awards, the opportunity includes several related project types that address complementary capacity-building goals. CREST Partnership Supplements are designed to help active CREST Centers deepen or expand collaborations with nationally or internationally recognized research centers (including NSF-supported centers), private-sector research laboratories, and, where relevant, K-12 partners such as schools, museums, or science centers. The intent is to accelerate advances in research and education around a nationally significant research theme by connecting CREST Centers to high-impact partners and resources. Another track, the HBCU Research Infrastructure for Science and Engineering (HBCU RISE) awards, specifically targets Historically Black Colleges and Universities that offer doctoral degrees in STEM fields (including social, behavioral, and economic sciences). HBCU RISE projects must be organized around a unifying NSF-supported research focus, align with departmental and institutional long-term plans, and clearly show how the award will expand institutional research capacity while increasing the production of doctoral students, especially those underrepresented in STEM.
The solicitation also supports Broadening Participation Research (BPR) in STEM Education projects, which focus on generating evidence and knowledge about why participation and success outcomes differ across groups and what interventions can improve them. These proposals are expected to conduct rigorous, evidence-based research on new or improved models for STEM teaching and learning, institutional structures, and practices that broaden participation. A key aim is not only to test interventions but also to strengthen the capacity of scholars at MSIs to lead this kind of research and to produce findings that can inform broader STEM education practice. In addition, the opportunity includes SBIR/STTR Phase IIa Diversity Collaboration Supplements, which allow existing NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II projects to initiate collaborations with MSIs that have active CREST Center or HBCU RISE awards; these supplements are administered and co-funded with NSF Engineering (ENG) through the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships (IIP), linking industry-oriented innovation projects with MSI research capacity and talent development.
Eligibility is primarily limited to U.S. MSIs of higher education for CREST Center proposals, defined in this solicitation largely by having an undergraduate enrollment of 50 percent or more students from groups underrepresented among advanced degree holders in science and engineering (including African Americans, Alaska Natives, American Indians, Hispanic Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Native Pacific Islanders), as determined using IPEDS data from the U.S. Department of Education. Institutions that primarily serve students with disabilities are also included as eligible in the MSI category referenced by NSF. HBCU RISE proposals are limited to doctoral-degree-granting HBCUs in STEM disciplines. BPR proposals may be submitted by institutions that meet the organizational eligibility requirements for CREST Center or HBCU RISE proposals. SBIR/STTR supplement proposals are submitted by current SBIR/STTR Phase II grantees working with eligible MSI partners that hold active CREST Center or HBCU RISE awards. Principal Investigators must be employed by an eligible institution under the relevant track (CREST Center, HBCU RISE, BPR, or SBIR/STTR).
From a funding and administrative standpoint, the opportunity is run by NSF, falls under CFDA numbers 47.041 (Engineering Grants) and 47.076 (Education and Human Resources), and does not require cost sharing or matching. The estimated total funding listed for this opportunity is $13.1 million, with an award ceiling of $5 million. The opportunity was originally posted May 14, 2014, with an original closing date of August 13, 2014, and a later current closing date of June 5, 2015 (with an archive date of July 5, 2015). The program is framed as a long-term capacity-building investment: it funds research excellence tied to infrastructure and human capital development, and it expects strong alignment between the proposed center or project activities, the institution’s strategic direction, and measurable outcomes that improve both research competitiveness and broadening participation in STEM.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NSF CREST (NSF 14-565)
What is the NSF CREST opportunity (NSF 14-565)?
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) opportunity (NSF 14-565) is a discretionary grant program designed to strengthen the research capacity and national competitiveness of U.S. minority-serving institutions (MSIs) by building centers that tightly integrate research and education.
What are the main goals of the CREST program?
The program emphasizes producing new knowledge, increasing faculty research productivity, and expanding the participation and success of students historically underrepresented in STEM (undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels). A central theme is workforce development, including recruitment, retention, mentorship, and advancement of underrepresented groups in STEM.
What is the primary funding mechanism under this solicitation?
The core mechanism is the CREST Center award, which provides multi-year support (commonly five years) to an eligible MSI to build or enhance a research center in a clearly defined area of national significance in science or engineering.
How long are CREST Center awards typically funded?
CREST Center awards typically provide multi-year support and are commonly funded for five years, as described in the opportunity summary.
What kinds of institutions are CREST Center awards meant to support?
CREST Centers are intended for eligible MSIs that already have a solid foundation in research and education, but need targeted investment to reach and sustain national competitiveness in a defined research area.
What do competitive CREST Center proposals need to demonstrate?
Competitive proposals are expected to present a compelling vision for improving research infrastructure and capacity, show how the work will create synergy among participating faculty and programs, and include a comprehensive strategy for long-term sustainability beyond the award period.
How does CREST address broadening participation and workforce development?
CREST expects supported activities to contribute to a more diverse STEM workforce and to build an environment where underrepresented groups are recruited, retained, mentored, and advanced. CREST Centers are also expected to provide visible leadership in broadening participation by embedding proven or innovative approaches for mentorship, recruitment, and retention of students, faculty, and postdoctoral researchers.
What other project types are included besides the CREST Center awards?
In addition to CREST Center awards, the solicitation includes CREST Partnership Supplements, HBCU Research Infrastructure for Science and Engineering (HBCU RISE) awards, Broadening Participation Research (BPR) in STEM Education projects, and SBIR/STTR Phase IIa Diversity Collaboration Supplements.
What are CREST Partnership Supplements?
CREST Partnership Supplements are designed to help active CREST Centers deepen or expand collaborations with nationally or internationally recognized research centers (including NSF-supported centers), private-sector research laboratories, and, where relevant, K-12 partners such as schools, museums, or science centers.
What is the purpose of CREST Partnership Supplements?
The purpose is to accelerate advances in research and education around a nationally significant theme by connecting CREST Centers with high-impact partners and resources.
What is HBCU RISE?
HBCU Research Infrastructure for Science and Engineering (HBCU RISE) is an award track that targets Historically Black Colleges and Universities that offer doctoral degrees in STEM fields (including social, behavioral, and economic sciences).
What are the requirements or expectations for HBCU RISE projects?
HBCU RISE projects must be organized around a unifying NSF-supported research focus, align with departmental and institutional long-term plans, and clearly show how the award will expand institutional research capacity while increasing the production of doctoral students, especially those underrepresented in STEM.
What are Broadening Participation Research (BPR) projects under this solicitation?
BPR in STEM Education projects focus on generating evidence and knowledge about why participation and success outcomes differ across groups and what interventions can improve those outcomes.
What types of activities are expected in BPR proposals?
BPR proposals are expected to conduct rigorous, evidence-based research on new or improved models for STEM teaching and learning, and on institutional structures and practices that broaden participation. They are meant not only to test interventions, but also to strengthen the capacity of scholars at MSIs to lead this research and produce findings that can inform broader STEM education practice.
What are SBIR/STTR Phase IIa Diversity Collaboration Supplements?
These supplements allow existing NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II projects to initiate collaborations with MSIs that have active CREST Center or HBCU RISE awards. They are administered and co-funded with NSF Engineering (ENG) through the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships (IIP), linking industry-oriented innovation projects with MSI research capacity and talent development.
Who is eligible to submit a CREST Center proposal?
Eligibility is primarily limited to U.S. minority-serving institutions (MSIs) of higher education, defined in this solicitation largely by having an undergraduate enrollment of 50 percent or more students from groups underrepresented among advanced degree holders in science and engineering, as determined using IPEDS data from the U.S. Department of Education. Institutions that primarily serve students with disabilities are also included as eligible in the MSI category referenced by NSF.
Which student groups are referenced as underrepresented for MSI eligibility purposes?
The solicitation references groups underrepresented among advanced degree holders in science and engineering, including African Americans, Alaska Natives, American Indians, Hispanic Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Native Pacific Islanders.
How is MSI eligibility determined for CREST Center proposals?
For this solicitation, MSI eligibility is determined largely using IPEDS enrollment data from the U.S. Department of Education, particularly whether the institution has an undergraduate enrollment of 50 percent or more students from the specified underrepresented groups.
Who is eligible to submit HBCU RISE proposals?
HBCU RISE proposals are limited to doctoral-degree-granting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in STEM disciplines.
Who can submit BPR proposals under this opportunity?
BPR proposals may be submitted by institutions that meet the organizational eligibility requirements for CREST Center or HBCU RISE proposals.
Who can submit SBIR/STTR Phase IIa Diversity Collaboration Supplement proposals?
These supplement proposals are submitted by current SBIR/STTR Phase II grantees that are working with eligible MSI partners holding active CREST Center or HBCU RISE awards.
What are the Principal Investigator (PI) employment requirements?
Principal Investigators must be employed by an eligible institution under the relevant track (CREST Center, HBCU RISE, BPR, or SBIR/STTR).
Which federal agency runs this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is run by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
What CFDA numbers are associated with this NSF opportunity?
The solicitation falls under CFDA numbers 47.041 (Engineering Grants) and 47.076 (Education and Human Resources).
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching is required for this opportunity.
What is the estimated total funding available for this opportunity?
The estimated total funding listed for this opportunity is $13.1 million.
What is the award ceiling?
The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $5 million.
When was this opportunity posted and what were the closing dates?
The opportunity was originally posted on May 14, 2014. The original closing date was August 13, 2014, and a later current closing date is listed as June 5, 2015. The archive date is July 5, 2015.
What does NSF mean by a long-term capacity-building investment in this program?
The program is framed as a long-term investment that supports research excellence tied to infrastructure development and human capital development, with an expectation of strong alignment between proposed activities and the institution's strategic direction, along with measurable outcomes that improve both research competitiveness and broadening participation in STEM.
What does sustainability mean in the context of a CREST Center proposal?
Sustainability refers to having a comprehensive strategy for maintaining the gains in research capacity and competitiveness beyond the award period, as emphasized for competitive center proposals.
What kinds of partnerships are encouraged under this solicitation?
The solicitation highlights partnerships between CREST Centers and nationally or internationally recognized research centers (including NSF-supported centers), private-sector research laboratories, and, where relevant, K-12 partners such as schools, museums, or science centers.
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