Facilitating Research at Predominantly Undergraduate Institutions:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) administers the Facilitating Research at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions program, which includes the Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) and Research Opportunity Awards (ROA) mechanisms. NSF is an independent federal agency established to promote the progress of science and engineering through funding research and education. This program is specifically designed to strengthen the role of predominantly undergraduate institutions in advancing scientific knowledge while integrating research into undergraduate education. The purpose of the RUI and ROA opportunities is to support faculty research at institutions where undergraduate education is the primary focus. RUI awards fund research conducted by faculty members at their home institutions, emphasizing the integration of research and teaching and the development of institutional research capacity. ROA awards, in contrast, support faculty from these institutions to collaborate as visiting researchers at research-intensive organizations, thereby enhancing their research skills and strengthening partnerships between institutions. Funding under this program supports a broad range of research-related activities, including salaries, student support, travel, equipment, and materials. RUI projects typically span up to three years and may involve individual or collaborative research efforts. ROA projects are generally shorter in duration, often between two and twelve months, and focus on collaborative experiences. Funding is not allocated as a standalone pool but is distributed through NSF’s disciplinary programs, meaning proposals must align with specific program priorities. Eligibility is restricted to accredited predominantly undergraduate institutions that award associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees in NSF-supported fields and have awarded no more than 20 doctoral degrees across relevant disciplines in the previous two academic years. Principal investigators must be affiliated with such institutions. Collaborative proposals are allowed, but the primary institution must meet the eligibility criteria and assume management responsibility. Applications must be submitted through NSF systems such as Research.gov or Grants.gov and must comply with the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide. RUI proposals require additional documentation, including an RUI Impact Statement and a Certification of Eligibility. While letters of intent and preliminary proposals are generally not required, applicants are strongly encouraged to consult NSF program officers to determine appropriate submission timing and program alignment. There is no fixed submission deadline for this opportunity, as proposals are accepted on a rolling basis depending on the requirements of individual NSF programs. Proposals are evaluated using NSF’s standard merit review criteria, including intellectual merit and broader impacts. Award decisions typically occur within several months of submission, and funded projects must adhere to standard NSF reporting and administrative requirements throughout the performance period.

Align proposal with intellectual merit and broader impacts; emphasize undergraduate research integration; consult program officers early