The Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP), administered by the U.S. National Science Foundation, provides awards to strengthen STEM undergraduate education and research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Overview

HBCU-UP supports accredited HBCUs that offer undergraduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). The programme offers multiple funding tracks designed to address a range of institutional goals, from targeted short-term projects to comprehensive institutional transformation and research on broadening participation. HBCUs actively engaged in developing undergraduate STEM education programs are encouraged to apply. Potential principal investigators should contact an HBCU-UP Program Officer to discuss the suitability of their institution or program.

Funding and Benefits

• Program Funding: $62,250,000
• Award Minimum: $300,000
• Award Maximum: $9,000,000
• Funding Instrument Type: Grant
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No
• Opportunity Category: Discretionary
• Category of Funding Activity: Science technology and other research and development

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that are accredited and offer undergraduate educational degree programs in STEM.

Who May Serve as Principal Investigator:

• Targeted Infusion Project: The individual who will direct the implementation of project activities.
• Research on Broadening Participation in STEM Project: The individual responsible for managing the project and must be one of the primary researchers.
• Research Initiation Award: A faculty member in a STEM or STEM education discipline at the HBCU. Co-Principal Investigators and senior personnel are not permitted.
• Implementation Project or Broadening Participation Research Center: Individuals who 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.

Research Areas and Activities

Support is available through the following tracks:

• Targeted Infusion Projects (TIP): Support to achieve a short-term, well-defined goal for enhancing and innovating undergraduate STEM education at an HBCU.
• Research on Broadening Participation in STEM Projects (BPR): Support for research that 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): 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): 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): 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.

Deadline and Timeline

• Closing Date: May 20, 2026
• Posted Date: March 21, 2023
• Archive Date: May 21, 2026
• Funding Opportunity Number: 23-563

Contact Information

Grantor Contact: NSF grants.gov support
Email: grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov

Applicants with problems linking to this funding announcement may contact the email address above.
For technical support, contact the Grants.gov Support Center at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

Additional Information: NSF Publication 23-563