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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NSF CREST (Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology)

1) What is the NSF CREST program?

The Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) program is a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity intended to strengthen the research capacity of minority-serving institutions (MSIs). It funds center-based efforts that tightly connect research and education, with the goal of helping institutions build lasting, competitive research enterprises in well-defined STEM areas while expanding participation and success for people historically underrepresented in STEM.

2) What is the main purpose of CREST funding?

CREST is designed to support both the infrastructure and the people side of research growth. The program focuses on improving research environments and productivity, developing new knowledge, and creating clearer pathways for underrepresented students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty to enter and thrive in advanced STEM training and careers.

3) What types of awards or tracks are included in this opportunity?

Based on the information provided, the solicitation includes multiple components:

• CREST Center awards
• CREST Partnership Supplements
• HBCU Research Infrastructure for Science and Engineering (HBCU RISE) awards
• CREST Broadening Participation Research awards
• SBIR/STTR Phase IIa Diversity Collaboration Supplements

4) What is a CREST Center award?

A CREST Center award is a multi-year, center-based award to an eligible MSI that can demonstrate a solid foundation in research and education and provide a credible, comprehensive plan to reach and sustain national competitiveness in a focused science or engineering research area.

5) How long are CREST Center projects typically, and how much funding do they usually receive?

CREST Center awards are typically structured as five-year projects and often reach about $5 million in total support. The source listing also notes an award ceiling of $5 million.

6) What does NSF expect a funded CREST Center to demonstrate?

NSF emphasizes that funded centers should demonstrate a clear vision, strong internal integration, and alignment with broader CREST and NSF human resource goals related to building a diverse, advanced STEM workforce. Another key expectation is leadership in broadening participation across the research pipeline (faculty, students, and postdoctoral scholars), using proven or innovative strategies for recruitment, retention, mentoring, and professional development.

7) What are CREST Partnership Supplements?

CREST Partnership Supplements are intended to deepen or expand collaborations between existing CREST centers and nationally or internationally recognized research centers. They are aimed at research partnerships that are strategically important to the CREST institution and aligned with areas of mutual scientific interest and high priority.

8) What is the goal of a CREST Partnership Supplement?

The purpose is to strengthen research networks, accelerate progress in the center's focus area, and enhance access to expertise, facilities, or collaborative opportunities that can increase the institution's competitiveness and visibility.

9) What is the HBCU RISE track?

HBCU Research Infrastructure for Science and Engineering (HBCU RISE) awards are designed for Historically Black Colleges and Universities that offer doctoral degrees in science and engineering disciplines. These awards aim to expand institutional research capacity while increasing the production of doctoral graduates, especially those from groups underrepresented in STEM.

10) What must an HBCU RISE project include, according to the summary?

Funded HBCU RISE projects must have a unifying research theme within NSF-supported areas, show a direct connection to the long-term plans of relevant departments and the institution's mission, and present a realistic strategy for growth in doctoral education and research infrastructure.

11) Is HBCU RISE only about buying equipment or building facilities?

No. The emphasis is not only on research equipment or facilities, but also on building a sustainable environment where doctoral students can be trained effectively and where faculty research programs can scale and compete.

12) What are CREST Broadening Participation Research awards?

This track supports investigator-initiated empirical research that studies how enhanced research capacity at MSIs affects participation and success outcomes for underrepresented graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty. The focus is on evidence-based insights that can inform future policy, program design, and institutional practice.

13) How is the Broadening Participation Research track different from the center-building tracks?

Unlike tracks focused on building or expanding research centers and infrastructure, the Broadening Participation Research awards focus on empirical research about outcomes and mechanisms: how building stronger research enterprises at MSIs changes experience, advancement, and achievement for underrepresented groups in STEM.

14) What are SBIR/STTR Phase IIa Diversity Collaboration Supplements in this solicitation?

These supplements create a bridge between NSF-funded small business innovation projects (SBIR/STTR Phase IIa) and MSIs that already hold CREST or HBCU RISE awards. They allow existing SBIR/STTR Phase IIa projects to initiate collaborations with eligible institutions.

15) What is the purpose of the SBIR/STTR Phase IIa Diversity Collaboration Supplements?

The goal is to encourage meaningful partnerships that connect innovation-focused small business R&D with MSI research capacity, helping expand participation while also supporting technology development and applied research collaboration.

16) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this NSF solicitation?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 12-533.

17) What is the CFDA number and program area listed for this opportunity?

The listing identifies CFDA 47.076 (Education and Human Resources) and places the opportunity in the science and technology research and development category.

18) Is this a discretionary grant opportunity?

Yes. The source listing describes it as an NSF discretionary grant opportunity.

19) When was this opportunity posted, and what closing date is shown in the summary?

The posting date is January 23, 2012, and the original closing date shown is April 23, 2012. The notice also indicates there may be multiple due dates depending on the project type, as described in the full solicitation.

20) How many awards did NSF anticipate making, and what total funding amount is estimated?

NSF anticipated making around 16 awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $6.5 million.

21) What is the maximum award amount mentioned in the source listing?

The listing includes an award ceiling of $5 million.

22) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The listing indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

23) Who is eligible to apply?

The opportunity is focused on minority-serving institutions (MSIs), and certain tracks are specifically targeted (for example, HBCU RISE targets Historically Black Colleges and Universities that offer doctoral degrees in science and engineering disciplines). The summary notes that eligibility rules are detailed in the full solicitation due to space limits.

24) Where do applicants find the official requirements, eligibility rules, and track-specific deadlines?

Applicants are directed to NSF Publication 12-533 and to NSF/grants.gov support contacts for official requirements, deadlines by track, and complete eligibility and proposal instructions.