12 Feb Funding Alert! Grants to Provide Scholarships to STEM Students

National Science Foundation (NSF)

Attention institutions of higher education! NSF is now accepting proposals to its Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) Program. S-STEM provides funds to domestic institutions of higher education (IHEs) who implement the program and award scholarships to eligible students. S-STEM scholars must be low-income, academically talented students with demonstrated financial need who are pursuing degrees in STEM fields, such as biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering. Proposals for this program are due April 7, 2021.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are two- and four-year IHEs, including community colleges, accredited in and having a campus located in the United States. The S-STEM program also encourages diverse collaborations and partnerships, such as among other IHEs, businesses, industry, local community organizations, social science researchers, or government agencies.

What are the program details?

In addition to providing scholarships to students in need, the S-STEM program aims to increase retention, student success, and graduation of low-income STEM students; test evidence-based strategies for supporting these students’ academic and career pathways; and disseminate program findings to other IHEs. S-STEM applicants may pursue one of four types of projects:

• Track 1: Institutional Capacity Building – awards of up to $750,000, intended to increase the participation of IHEs that are new to the S-STEM program or the STEM Talent Expansion (STEP) program.
• Track 2: Implementation: Single Institution – awards of up to $1.5 million for any single institution, whether or not it has received prior S-STEM or STEP awards.
• Track 3: Inter-institutional Consortia – awards of up to $5 million for large-scale, multi-institutional collaborations. These projects must include strong technical assistance, as well as a research component designed to better understand the impact of the proposed evidence-based curricular, co-curricular, and professional development activities.
• Collaborative Planning Grants to Develop an Inter–institutional Consortium – awards of up to $150,000 for a two-year project period for two or more IHEs. Planning projects allow IHEs to gather data (such as through focus groups and surveys), design shared mechanisms for data collection and student support, and complete other activities in anticipation of a future Track 3 proposal.

For proposals to Tracks 1-3, at least 60% of awarded funds must be provided solely as scholarships to potential S-STEM scholars. The remaining 40% of funds can support activities such as career counseling and job placement, mental health services, and equipment and internet services for S-STEM scholars. The program solicitation contains a complete list of allowable activities and expected outcomes on pages 5-9.

The funder expects to award 60-70 total grants across all tracks, with a maximum six-year project period for Tracks 1-3.

What makes a project a good fit?

S-STEM scholars must be domestic, low-income, academically talented students who demonstrate unmet financial needs and are enrolled in an eligible associate, baccalaureate, or degree program. Proposals should include evidence-based activities that are designed to meet the specific, well-documented needs or goals of the applicant institution(s).

In addition, the S-STEM program encourages proposals from two-year institutions, Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), tribal colleges and universities, and urban and rural public institutions.

What if I am ready to apply? To move your project forward, take the following action steps as soon as possible:

• Review the full program solicitation for additional details, eligible degree programs, and allowable project activities for each program track.
• View NSF’s S-STEM program page for examples of previously funded proposals, a map of recent S-STEM awards, program contacts, and other news and resources.
• Make sure your System for Award Management (SAM) registration is active and be sure you have agov profile. You can check your SAM status here: https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/searchRecords/search.jsf.

What if I need help with this application?

Contact Assel Grant Services (AGS) today! Our team can help with all aspects of preparing the application and managing the grant if you are awarded. If you would like to discuss this possibility, please contact AGS as soon as possible. Rosie Brennan, Community Engagement Specialist, will be happy to talk with you about this opportunity and provide you a quote for grant services.

What if I am not ready to apply this year?

Start preparing for next year! NSF also has a variety of other programs and funding opportunities available that might be a good fit. The office’s website has ample resources, webinars, and descriptions of available or upcoming opportunities.

How do I learn more about federal grant opportunities?

AGS is excited to offer a new Federal Grants Training Series coming in 2021! The series is designed to support nonprofit professionals before and during their first federal grant. AGS also offers several on demand webinars on a variety of topics to support the full grant cycle. Check out our website to learn more and sign up for our training newsletter.

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Competency #1: Knowledge of how to research, identify, and match funding resources to meet specific needs

Skill 1.2: Identify major trends in public funding and public policy

Skill 1.6: Identify fundable programs and projects for specific organization

Skill 1.7: Determine best matches between funders and specific programs