Minority Science and Engineering Improvement (84.120)
Minority Science and Engineering Improvement (Assistance Listing 84.120) is run by the Department of Education. It awarded $59.2 million in 114 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $519,655 per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $598,307. Half of the 114 awards fell between $269,954 and $742,836, and they ranged from $165,060 to $900,000.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$59.2 million
- Grant awards114
- Typical award$598,307
- Awarded in FY 2025-$40,487
- Size rank977 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceProject grants
Key findings
- It is the 977th largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 50% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 19 states and territories.
What the program funds
To (1) effect long-range improvement in science and engineering education at predominantly minority institutions and (2) increase the participation of underrepresented ethnic minorities, particularly minority women, in scientific and technological careers.
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
Private and public nonprofit accredited (or successfully working toward accreditation) institutions of higher education that award baccalaureate degrees; and are minority institutions; public or private accredited (or successfully working toward accreditation) nonprofit institutions of higher education that award associate degrees, and are minority institutions that have a curriculum that includes science and engineering subjects; and enters into a partnership with public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education that award baccalaureate degrees in science or engineering. Applications may also be submitted by nonprofit science-oriented organizations, professional scientific societies, and institutions of higher education that award baccalaureate degrees, that provide a needed service to a group of minority institutions; or provide in-service training for project directors, scientists, and engineers from minority institutions; or consortia of organizations, that provide needed services to one or more minority institutions, the membership of which may include: institutions of higher education which have a curriculum in science or engineering; institutions of higher education that have graduate or professional programs in science or engineering; research laboratories of, or under contract with the Department of Energy; private organizations that have science or engineering facilities; or quasi-governmental entities that have a significant scientific or engineering...
What the money can and cannot pay for
Program funds are generally used to implement institutional projects, special projects, and cooperative grants. Institutional grants support the implementation of a comprehensive science improvement plan, which may include any combination of activities for improving the preparation of minority students for careers in science. Special project grants to minority institutions support activities that improve the quality of training in science and engineering at minority institutions. Special project grants to non-minority eligible applicants support activities that provide a needed service to a group of eligible minority institutions. Cooperative grants assist groups of non-profit accredited colleges and universities in working together to conduct a science improvement program. Grant funds may be used for a broad range of activities that address specific barriers that eliminate or reduce the entry of minorities into science and engineering fields. This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate which is referenced under 34 CFR 76.564-76.569. For assistance call the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group on (202) 377-3838.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Deadlines
Oct 01, 2026 to Sep 30, 2027
Award range and average, in the agency's words
2024: Average new award was $283,005; Average continuation award was $275,945. Awards ranged from approximately $250,000 to $300,000.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Minority Science and Engineering Improvement (84.120) awarded $59.2 million across 114 grant awards, an average of $519,655 per award.
Who usually wins
Colleges and universities received 84% of the money, state and local governments 9.3% and nonprofits 5.3%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colleges and universities | 95 | $50.0 million | 84% |
| State and local governments | 11 | $5.5 million | 9.3% |
| Nonprofits | 7 | $3.1 million | 5.3% |
| Tribal governments and organizations | 1 | $598,478 | 1.0% |
By state
14 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 20 | $11.1 million |
| Puerto Rico | 21 | $9.8 million |
| Florida | 10 | $4.7 million |
| New York | 7 | $4.5 million |
| Alabama | 6 | $3.8 million |
| North Carolina | 7 | $3.7 million |
| Georgia | 9 | $3.3 million |
| Louisiana | 5 | $2.8 million |
| Mississippi | 5 | $2.8 million |
| California | 5 | $2.7 million |
| Tennessee | 3 | $2.2 million |
| South Carolina | 4 | $2.0 million |
| District of Columbia | 4 | $1.6 million |
| Illinois | 2 | $1.3 million |
| Maryland | 2 | $736,207 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $717,080 |
| Montana | 1 | $598,478 |
| New Jersey | 1 | $506,818 |
| Ohio | 1 | $498,445 |