Opportunity Information: Apply for 13 516
Apply for 13 516
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.076 Education and Human Resources.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 9, 2013 and posted on Nov 8, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 21, 2013 See full solicitation for details. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $17,700,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 44 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Organization Limit Proposals may only be submitted by the following HBCU UP Proposals Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that are accredited and offer undergraduate educational degree programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). PI LimitulliThe Principal Investigator for a Targeted Infusion Project should be the individual whowill direct the implementation of the project activities./liliThe Principal Investigator for a Broadening ParticipationResearch Project should be responsible for managing the project and should be one of the key researchers. At least one of the Principal Investigators must have experiencein educationor social science research. /liliThe Principal Investigator for a Research Initiation Awardshould be a faculty member in a STEMdiscipline at the HBCU. Co Principal Investigators and senior personnel are not permitted./liliThe Principal Investigator and co Principal Investigators for the Implementation Project and ACE Implementation Project should be the key personnel that will beresponsible for guidingthe implementation of the project./li/ul
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Opportunity Summary:
The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU UP) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant program designed to strengthen undergraduate STEM education and research at accredited HBCUs that offer undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The program is rooted in the documented national impact of HBCUs on producing African American STEM graduates and future STEM doctorate recipients, and it targets a continuing national need: increasing STEM achievement, retention, degree completion, and pathways to graduate study and careers for students from underrepresented populations. In practical terms, HBCU UP funds evidence-based, innovative approaches that improve how STEM is taught, supported, and experienced by undergraduates, while also building institutional capacity in STEM education and research.
The opportunity supports several distinct project types, each aimed at a different leverage point for improving student outcomes and broadening participation in STEM. Targeted Infusion Projects (TIP) fund shorter-term, clearly defined efforts to improve a specific aspect of undergraduate STEM education, such as modernizing a curriculum, creating a new instructional approach, improving laboratory experiences, or strengthening student support in a focused way. Broadening Participation Research (BPR) projects fund research that develops and studies theory-driven models and innovations connected to the participation and success of underrepresented groups in undergraduate STEM; these proposals emphasize rigorous education or social science research, including evaluation and knowledge generation that can inform the field beyond a single campus. Research Initiation Awards (RIA) support STEM faculty at HBCUs in launching or advancing their research programs either at their home institution or through engagement with an NSF-funded research center, a research-intensive university, or a national laboratory, helping expand faculty research capacity and student research exposure. Implementation Projects fund comprehensive, institution-wide strategies to increase the number of STEM degrees awarded and improve the quality of student preparation by strengthening STEM education and research ecosystems across the campus. A higher-tier option within that category, Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Implementation Projects, is intended for HBCUs that already demonstrate exemplary outcomes and have established, institutionalized foundations built from prior Implementation Project support.
Key funding details in the notice include an estimated total program funding level of about $17.7 million and an expectation of roughly 44 awards. Individual award sizes range from a floor of $200,000 up to a ceiling of $3,000,000, depending on project type and scope. The funding instrument is a discretionary grant under the NSF Education and Human Resources umbrella (CFDA 47.076), and the posting indicates no cost sharing or matching requirement. The solicitation referenced is NSF Publication 13-516 (Funding Opportunity Number 13-516), with the listed dates reflecting the specific competition cycle shown in the announcement (posted in November 2012, with closing dates in 2013 and an archive date in November 2013).
Eligibility is limited to accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities that offer undergraduate STEM degree programs. The solicitation also outlines project leadership expectations that vary by track: for TIP projects, the principal investigator is the person directing project implementation; for BPR projects, the PI manages the research and at least one PI must have education or social science research experience; for RIA projects, the PI must be a STEM faculty member at the HBCU and co-PIs or senior personnel are not permitted; and for Implementation and ACE Implementation projects, the PI and co-PIs are expected to be the key leaders guiding the overall institutional effort. Overall, HBCU UP is structured to support both immediate improvements in undergraduate STEM learning environments and longer-term, research-informed institutional transformation that expands and strengthens the STEM pipeline.
HBCU UP (Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program) - FAQs
What is the HBCU UP program?
The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU UP) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant program that supports accredited HBCUs in strengthening undergraduate STEM education and research. It focuses on improving undergraduate learning environments and building institutional capacity in STEM education and research.
What is the main purpose of HBCU UP?
HBCU UP is designed to increase STEM achievement, retention, degree completion, and pathways to graduate study and careers for students from underrepresented populations. It supports evidence-based and innovative strategies that improve how STEM is taught, supported, and experienced by undergraduates.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that offer undergraduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
What types of projects does HBCU UP fund?
The opportunity supports multiple project types, each targeting different ways to improve undergraduate STEM outcomes and broaden participation:
- Targeted Infusion Projects (TIP)
- Broadening Participation Research (BPR)
- Research Initiation Awards (RIA)
- Implementation Projects
- Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Implementation Projects
What is a Targeted Infusion Project (TIP)?
Targeted Infusion Projects (TIP) fund shorter-term, clearly defined efforts to improve a specific aspect of undergraduate STEM education. Examples mentioned in the notice include modernizing a curriculum, creating a new instructional approach, improving laboratory experiences, or strengthening student support in a focused way.
What is a Broadening Participation Research (BPR) project?
Broadening Participation Research (BPR) projects support research that develops and studies theory-driven models and innovations related to the participation and success of underrepresented groups in undergraduate STEM. These proposals emphasize rigorous education or social science research, including evaluation and knowledge generation intended to inform the field beyond a single campus.
What is a Research Initiation Award (RIA)?
Research Initiation Awards (RIA) support STEM faculty at HBCUs in launching or advancing their research programs. The research may be conducted at the faculty member's home institution or through engagement with an NSF-funded research center, a research-intensive university, or a national laboratory. The intent includes strengthening faculty research capacity and increasing student exposure to research.
What is an Implementation Project?
Implementation Projects fund comprehensive, institution-wide strategies that increase the number of STEM degrees awarded and improve the quality of student preparation. These projects focus on strengthening STEM education and research ecosystems across the campus.
What is an ACE Implementation Project and who is it for?
Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Implementation Projects are a higher-tier option within the Implementation Project category. They are intended for HBCUs that already demonstrate exemplary outcomes and have established, institutionalized foundations built from prior Implementation Project support.
How much funding is available through this program?
The notice lists an estimated total program funding level of about $17.7 million.
How many awards does NSF expect to make?
The announcement indicates an expectation of roughly 44 awards.
What is the award size range?
Individual award sizes range from a minimum (floor) of $200,000 to a maximum (ceiling) of $3,000,000, depending on the project type and scope.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The posting indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
What agency and funding program is this associated with?
This is an NSF discretionary grant under the Education and Human Resources umbrella. The CFDA listing included is 47.076.
What solicitation number is referenced?
The solicitation referenced is NSF Publication 13-516, also shown as Funding Opportunity Number 13-516.
What dates are associated with this particular announcement?
The listed dates reflect the specific competition cycle shown in the announcement: it was posted in November 2012, includes closing dates in 2013, and shows an archive date in November 2013.
Who should serve as Principal Investigator (PI) for a TIP proposal?
For Targeted Infusion Projects (TIP), the principal investigator is the person directing project implementation.
What PI qualifications are expected for a BPR proposal?
For Broadening Participation Research (BPR), the PI manages the research, and at least one PI must have education or social science research experience.
Who can serve as PI for an RIA proposal?
For a Research Initiation Award (RIA), the PI must be a STEM faculty member at the HBCU.
Are co-PIs allowed on RIA proposals?
No. The solicitation specifies that for RIA projects, co-PIs or senior personnel are not permitted.
Who is expected to lead Implementation and ACE Implementation projects?
For Implementation and ACE Implementation projects, the PI and co-PIs are expected to be the key leaders guiding the overall institutional effort.
What kinds of outcomes is HBCU UP trying to improve for students?
Based on the notice, the program targets improved STEM achievement, retention, and degree completion, along with stronger pathways to graduate education and STEM careers, particularly for students from underrepresented populations.
Does HBCU UP support both teaching improvements and research capacity?
Yes. The program is structured to support immediate improvements in undergraduate STEM learning environments (such as curriculum, instruction, labs, and student supports) and longer-term, research-informed institutional transformation that strengthens STEM education and research capacity.
Do BPR projects need to generate knowledge beyond one campus?
Yes. The description notes that BPR proposals emphasize evaluation and knowledge generation that can inform the field beyond a single campus.
Can an RIA project involve collaboration with entities outside the HBCU?
Yes. The notice states that RIA support can include engagement with an NSF-funded research center, a research-intensive university, or a national laboratory.
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