Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) CFDA Number 84.120A | Apply Online

Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) (CFDA 84.120A) - FAQs

1) What is the MSEIP grant opportunity?

The Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP), CFDA 84.120A, is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE). It is intended to strengthen science and engineering education over the long term at predominantly minority institutions.

2) What is the main purpose of MSEIP?

MSEIP is designed to increase the participation and success of underrepresented ethnic minorities in science and technology fields. The program places particular emphasis on supporting minority women as they move toward scientific and technological careers.

3) What kinds of projects does MSEIP typically fund?

Based on the stated purpose, MSEIP projects commonly focus on improving STEM-related academic pathways and program quality, strengthening student preparation, and supporting student retention and progression in STEM disciplines within institutions that primarily serve minority populations.

4) Which agency is offering this grant?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE).

5) What is the CFDA number, and why does it matter?

The CFDA number for this opportunity is 84.120A. The listing also notes that when searching for the application package in Grants.gov, applicants should search using the CFDA number without the letter suffix (search "84.120" rather than "84.120A").

6) What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a grant.

7) What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is education.

8) When was this competition posted, and what were the key dates?

The competition was posted on April 1, 2015, and applications were made available the same day. The deadline for transmittal was June 1, 2015. The opportunity was later archived on July 1, 2015.

9) How many awards were anticipated, and what was the estimated total funding?

The Department anticipated making about 12 awards under this round, with an estimated total funding level of $2,800,918.

10) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement is listed for this opportunity, meaning applicants were not required to provide matching funds as a condition of award.

11) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility depends on the type of MSEIP grant being pursued. The notice identifies multiple grant types, and the official Federal Register application notice is identified as the controlling document for precise eligibility rules and requirements.

12) What are the different types of MSEIP grants mentioned?

The opportunity identifies four types of MSEIP grants: institutional projects, special projects, cooperative projects, and design projects.

13) Where can applicants find the official eligibility rules and requirements?

Applicants are directed to consult the official Federal Register application notice for the precise eligibility rules and requirements tied to each project category. The synopsis notes that the Federal Register version is the controlling document and points to free online access to the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations.

14) How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications were required to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.

15) How do applicants find the correct application package in Grants.gov?

Applicants were instructed to locate the correct application package by searching the CFDA number without the letter suffix, meaning they should search for "84.120" rather than "84.120A."

16) Who should applicants contact for Grants.gov technical submission issues?

For technical issues with submission, the listing provides the Grants.gov Helpdesk contact information: 1-800-518-4726 and support@grants.gov.

17) Who are the Department of Education contacts for program-specific questions?

The opportunity lists Joyce Mays, Management Analyst, at (202) 245-6122 and joyce.mays@ed.gov. It also lists a Program Manager: Stacey Slijepcevic, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street NW, Room 6014, Washington, DC 20006-8517, telephone (202) 219-7124, with email referenced in the listing.

18) What is the overall goal or intended outcome of MSEIP-funded work?

The central goal is to improve STEM education capacity in minority-serving contexts and, as a result, increase the number of underrepresented students, especially minority women, who persist into and ultimately enter STEM careers.

19) Why does the opportunity emphasize minority women?

The program description explicitly states a particular emphasis on supporting minority women as they move toward scientific and technological careers, as part of the broader goal of increasing participation and success of underrepresented ethnic minorities in STEM fields.

20) Is this opportunity currently open?

No. The listing indicates it was archived on July 1, 2015, after the June 1, 2015 deadline for transmittal.