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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP), CFDA 84.120A

1) What is the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP)?

MSEIP (CFDA 84.120A) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education. The central purpose is the long-term improvement of science and engineering education at predominantly minority institutions, with an emphasis on increasing participation and strengthening degree-to-career pathways for underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities.

2) What outcomes is MSEIP trying to improve?

The opportunity highlights improving science and engineering education and increasing the flow of minority students into scientific and technological careers. It specifically calls attention to minority women, signaling that projects should connect educational improvements to measurable student progression and workforce-related outcomes.

3) Who is the federal sponsor of this grant?

The sponsoring agency is the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education.

4) What is the CFDA number, and how should applicants use it on Grants.gov?

The program is identified as CFDA 84.120A. However, when searching for the application package on Grants.gov, applicants must use the CFDA number without the alpha suffix. In other words, search for "84.120" (not "84.120A") to locate the package.

5) What was the anticipated number of awards and total funding for the FY 2009 competition?

For the FY 2009 competition referenced in the notice, the Department anticipated making about 18 awards with an estimated total funding amount of $2,907,826.

6) What were the expected award sizes for FY 2009?

In the FY 2009 competition described, individual awards were expected to range from $35,000 (minimum) to $300,000 (maximum).

7) Is cost sharing or a matching contribution required?

No. The notice states that cost sharing or matching funds were not required for this opportunity in the referenced competition. Applicants were not expected to provide a mandatory financial match.

8) If cost sharing is not required, can an applicant still include partnerships or leveraged resources?

Yes. While not required, the notice indicates that voluntary leveraged resources or partnerships could still be relevant depending on the project design and how the applicant frames sustainability and impact.

9) What types of projects does MSEIP support?

The program describes four project types: institutional projects, design projects, special projects, and cooperative projects.

10) Were Design Project Grants available in the FY 2009 competition referenced?

No. The notice states that Design Project Grants would not be awarded in the FY 2009 competition, so applicants in that cycle needed to focus on the remaining categories.

11) Who is eligible to apply for institutional projects and certain special projects?

For institutional projects and certain special projects (as described in 34 CFR 637.12 through 637.14), eligible applicants include public and private nonprofit minority institutions of higher education as defined by the Higher Education Act (HEA), section 361(1) and (2).

12) Who is eligible to apply for other special projects under MSEIP?

For other special projects (34 CFR 637.14(b) and (c)), eligibility expands beyond minority-serving higher education institutions. The notice lists eligible entities as including nonprofit science-oriented organizations, professional scientific societies, certain baccalaureate-degree granting institutions that meet HEA section 361(3) requirements, and consortia that meet HEA section 361(4).

13) Who is eligible to apply for cooperative projects?

For cooperative projects (34 CFR 637.15), eligible applicants are groups of nonprofit accredited colleges and universities. The notice also requires that the primary fiscal agent must be an eligible minority institution as defined in 34 CFR 637.4(b).

14) What does it mean that the program is "primarily built to support minority-serving institutions"?

Based on the notice, most project types are centered on nonprofit minority institutions of higher education. The program also allows certain nonprofit and consortium structures for particular special projects and cooperative initiatives, but the core emphasis remains on supporting minority-serving institutions directly.

15) How must applications be submitted?

Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Applicants are required to download the application package, complete it offline, and submit it through the Grants.gov Apply site.

16) Can an application be submitted by email to the agency?

No. The notice states that applications cannot be submitted by emailing the agency.

17) What are the key dates listed in the notice for the referenced cycle?

The notice indicates that applications were available beginning April 1, 2009, and the deadline for transmittal was May 1, 2009. It also notes the opportunity was posted on April 2, 2009, and later archived on May 31, 2009.

18) Is the FY 2009 opportunity still open?

No. The notice indicates the opportunity was archived on May 31, 2009, which means the specific cycle described is historical.

19) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for the notice described?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed is ED-GRANTS-040109-001.

20) How is this opportunity classified?

The notice classifies it as a grant, under the education funding activity category.

21) What document controls the official requirements for applicants?

The notice stresses that the synopsis is not the controlling document. The authoritative requirements are in the application notice published in the Federal Register, along with the cited regulations (including 34 CFR Part 637).

22) Where can applicants find the official Federal Register and regulatory references mentioned?

The notice points applicants to free access for the official Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations via GPO Access (as listed in the notice).

23) What kinds of rules are typically found in the Federal Register notice and the cited regulations?

The notice indicates that items such as selection criteria, required application components, formatting rules, page limits, and definitions that govern eligibility and allowable activities are typically spelled out in the Federal Register notice and the referenced regulations (34 CFR Part 637).

24) What should applicants do if they have technical problems with Grants.gov submission?

For technical submission issues, the notice lists the Grants.gov Helpdesk at 1-800-518-4726 and support@grants.gov. The notice also emphasizes that late or incomplete submissions caused by technical problems can jeopardize eligibility if not addressed according to federal guidance.

25) Who can be contacted if an applicant has difficulty accessing the full announcement?

The notice states that applicants who had difficulty accessing the full announcement could contact Joyce Mays (Management Analyst) at 202-245-6122 or joyce.mays@ed.gov.

26) Who are the program contacts listed for program-related questions?

The notice includes a program manager contact: Bernadette M. Hence, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006-8517, telephone (202) 502-7777. The notice also shows an email contact as matthew.willis@ed.gov.

27) Which contact should be used for submission/technical issues versus program questions?

The notice distinguishes between Grants.gov support for submission and technical issues (via the Grants.gov Helpdesk) and agency contacts for clarification on the announcement and program-related questions (such as the contacts listed for access and program management).