Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Undergraduate Program

NSF 23-563
Posted: Mar 21, 2023 12:00:00 AM EDT
Closes: 11/13/2025

Funding Information

Estimated Total Funding
$62,250,000
Award Ceiling
$9,000,000
Award Floor
$300,000

Description

HBCU-UP provides awardsto strengthen STEM undergraduate education and research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).Support is available through thefollowing tracks:


Targeted Infusion Projects (TIP), which provide support to achieve a short-term, well-defined goal for enhancing and innovating undergraduate STEM education at an HBCU.
Research on Broadening Participation in STEMprojects (BPR), which provide support for researchthat seeks to create and study new theory-driven models and innovations related to the participation and success of underrepresented groups in STEM undergraduate education, especially African Americans.
Research Initiation Awards (RIA), which provide support for STEM faculty with no prior or recent research funding to pursue research at the home institution, another research-intensive institution, an NSF-funded research center, or a national laboratory.
Implementation Projects (IMP), which provide support to design, implement, study, and assess comprehensive institutional efforts for increasing the number of students receiving undergraduate degrees in STEM and enhancing their preparation by strengthening STEM education and research.
Broadening Participation Research Centers (BPRC),which provide support to create centers that conduct research on STEM education and broadening participation and build the intellectual infrastructure to facilitate the creation, integration, and transfer of new knowledge.
Other Funding Opportunities include EArly-Concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER), Rapid Response Research (RAPID), conference, and planning grants.

Synopsis

HBCU-UP provides awardsto strengthen STEM undergraduate education and research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).Support is available through thefollowing tracks:


  • Targeted Infusion Projects (TIP), which provide support to achieve a short-term, well-defined goal for enhancing and innovating undergraduate STEM education at an HBCU.

  • Research on Broadening Participation in STEMprojects (BPR), which provide support for researchthat seeks to create and study new theory-driven models and innovations related to the participation and success of underrepresented groups in STEM undergraduate education, especially African Americans.

  • Research Initiation Awards (RIA), which provide support for STEM faculty with no prior or recent research funding to pursue research at the home institution, another research-intensive institution, an NSF-funded research center, or a national laboratory.

  • Implementation Projects (IMP), which provide support to design, implement, study, and assess comprehensive institutional efforts for increasing the number of students receiving undergraduate degrees in STEM and enhancing their preparation by strengthening STEM education and research.

  • Broadening Participation Research Centers (BPRC),which provide support to create centers that conduct research on STEM education and broadening participation and build the intellectual infrastructure to facilitate the creation, integration, and transfer of new knowledge.

  • Other Funding Opportunities include EArly-Concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER), Rapid Response Research (RAPID), conference, and planning grants.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants:
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
-
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that are accredited and offer undergraduate educational degree programs in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). Proposals from HBCUs actively engaged in the process of developing undergraduate STEM education programs are encouraged. Potential PIs should contact an HBCU-UP Program Officer to discuss the suitability of their institution/program for this program.





*Who May Serve as PI:

  • The Principal Investigator for a Targeted Infusion Projectmust be the individual whowill direct the implementation of the project activities.

  • The Principal Investigator for a Research onBroadening Participation in STEM Projectmust be the individual responsible for managing the project and must be one of the primary researchers.

  • The Principal Investigator for a Research Initiation Awardmust be a faculty member in a STEMor STEM education discipline at the HBCU. Co-Principal Investigators and senior personnel are not permitted.

  • The Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigators foran Implementation Project or a Broadening Participation Research Centermust be the individuals that will be responsible for guiding the implementation of the project or Center. A PI or Co-PI of an active BPRC may not be a PI or Co-PI on a proposal under this track if the Center would still be active at the start of the new award.

Funding Activity Categories

Science and Technology and other Research and Development

CFDA Numbers

  • 47.076 - STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources)

Contact Information

Agency: National Science Foundation
Contact: U.S. National Science Foundation
Phone: 703-292-4203
NSF grants.gov support
grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov

Additional Information

Document Type: synopsis
Opportunity Category: Discretionary
Version: 10
Last Updated: Oct 15, 2025 11:00:08 PM EDT

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