New NSF funding program: Racial Equity in STEM Education

The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced two proposal deadlines in 2021 for the Racial Equity in STEM Education Program: Tuesday, July 13 and Tuesday, Oct. 12.

Persistent racial injustices and inequalities in the United States have led to renewed concern and interest in addressing systemic racism. The NSF Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) seeks to support bold, ground-breaking, and potentially transformative projects addressing systemic racism in STEM. Proposals should advance racial equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and workforce development through research (both fundamental and applied) and practice. Core to this funding opportunity is that proposals are led by, or developed and led in authentic partnership with, individuals and communities most impacted by the inequities caused by systemic racism.

The voices, knowledge, and experiences of those who have been impacted by enduring racial inequities should be at the center of these proposals, including in, for example, project leadership and research positions, the conceptualization of the proposal, decision-making processes, and the interpretation and dissemination of evidence and research results.

The proposed work should provide positive outcomes for the individuals and communities engaged and should recognize peoples’ humanity, experiences, and resilience. Proposals need to consider systemic barriers to opportunities and benefits, and how these barriers impact access to, retention in, and success in STEM education, research, and workforce development. Competitive proposals will be clear with respect to how the work advances racial equity and addresses systemic racism, as these constructs may have different meanings in different settings.

Please note, prospective PIs are encouraged to send a one-page concept paper to EHR Racial Equity in advance of submitting a proposal.

Please contact Grace Thornton, Paul Davis, or Tony Hall in the Office of Research and Graduate Education if you are interested in submitting a proposal to this program.