Grants / National Science Foundation / U.S. National Science Foundation

NSF PD-21-191Y: Racial Equity in STEM Education

Closed Closed Opportunity NSF PD-21-191Y ☆ Save

This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: Major Research Instrumentation Program: (MRI) (NSF 27-500). Status: Closes January 29, 2027 (83 days left). It is in our archive of U.S. National Science Foundation notices from 2025.

• Award amountsNot given on Grants.gov
• Cost sharingNot required
• Funding typeGrant

Key dates

Who can apply

This opportunity was open to any type of organization.

• Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"

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Is this a realistic fit?

• Most of the program's money (87% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
• No cost sharing or match is required.

What the grant funds

Racial Equity in STEM Education Program Description (EHR Racial Equity) Persistent racial injustices and inequalities in the United States have led to renewed concern and interest in addressing systemic racism. The National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) seeks to support bold,ground-breaking,andpotentiallytransformativeprojectsaddressing systemic racismin STEM.Proposalsshouldadvanceracial equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and workforce developmentthroughresearch(both fundamental andapplied)andpractice. Core to this funding opportunity is thatproposalsare led by, or developed and led in authentic partnership with, individuals and communities most impacted bytheinequities caused by systemic racism. The voices, knowledge, and experiences of those who have been impacted by enduring racial inequities should be at the center oftheseproposals,includingin, for example: project leadership and research positions,conceptualization of theproposal,decision-making processes, and the interpretationand disseminationof evidence and research results. Theproposed workshould provide positive outcomes fortheindividuals and communities engaged and should recognize peoples’ humanity, experiences, and resilience. Proposalsneed to considersystemic barriers to opportunities and benefits, and how these barriersimpact access to, retentionin,and success in STEM education, research,and workforce development. Competitiveproposalswillbe clear with respect to how the workadvancesracial equity andaddressessystemic racism, as these constructs may have different meanings in different settings. Proposals should articulate a rigorous plan to generate knowledgethroughresearch (both fundamental and applied) and practice, such as, but not limited to: buildingtheory; developingmethods; testing approaches andinterventions; assessing the potential, efficacy, effectiveness, and scalability of approaches andinterventions; establishing,cultivatingand assessingauthenticpartnerships; changing institutional, organizational, and structural practices and policies; and/or focusing on affective, behavioral, cultural, social components,and implications. Contexts may include, but are not limited to: preK-12,two- andfour-year undergraduate, and graduate institutions; municipal organizations;STEM workplaces;andinformal STEM contexts, such as museums, community organizations, and media.

Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

Applying now

This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, NSF 27-500, which is open now.

The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.