NSF's Eddie Bernice Johnson Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (INCLUDES) Initiative

The National Science Foundation (NSF), an independent federal agency established in 1950, administers the Eddie Bernice Johnson Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (INCLUDES) Initiative. This program is designed to expand participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields across the United States by fostering systemic, collaborative approaches that increase access and equity. The initiative aligns with NSF’s broader strategic plan to strengthen national competitiveness through inclusive innovation and workforce development. The primary purpose of the INCLUDES Initiative is to catalyze large-scale change in STEM participation by building collaborative infrastructure among institutions, organizations, and communities. Projects funded under this initiative must address a clearly defined “broadening participation challenge,” focusing on populations historically underrepresented in STEM. The program emphasizes the development of partnerships, shared goals, and scalable strategies that can be implemented across local, regional, or national systems. It also supports research and evaluation efforts that contribute to the evidence base on effective inclusion strategies. Funding is offered across five project types: Design and Development Launch Pilots, Collaborative Change Consortia, Alliances, Network Connectors, and Conferences. Each project type has distinct funding limits and durations, ranging from smaller, short-term pilot efforts to large, multi-year national alliances. Funds may be used for research, program implementation, collaboration infrastructure, evaluation, and dissemination of findings. However, voluntary cost sharing is explicitly prohibited, and all expenditures must align with NSF’s Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide. Eligibility for the program is broad and includes U.S.-based institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, for-profit companies with research capabilities, state and local governments, and federally recognized Tribal Nations. Proposals must be submitted by eligible organizations through Research.gov or Grants.gov, and collaborative proposals may involve multiple organizations. While letters of intent are not required, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a one-page concept description to NSF program staff prior to full proposal submission to ensure alignment with program goals. The application process requires adherence to NSF’s standard proposal preparation guidelines, including detailed project descriptions, budgets, and supporting documentation. Proposals are evaluated through a merit review process based on intellectual merit and broader impacts, with additional emphasis on the project’s ability to build collaborative infrastructure and contribute to the INCLUDES National Network. Reviewers assess the clarity of the project’s goals, the strength of partnerships, the feasibility of implementation, and the potential for scalable impact. The program operates on recurring deadlines depending on project type. For example, Network Connectors and certain other project categories follow an annual or biennial deadline schedule tied to specific calendar dates, such as the fourth Tuesday in October. Alliances have a separate annual target date in May, while conference proposals are accepted on a rolling annual window. Award decisions are typically made within six months of submission, and funded projects must comply with ongoing reporting requirements, including annual and final reports submitted through NSF systems. Overall, the INCLUDES Initiative represents a comprehensive federal investment in building inclusive STEM ecosystems. By supporting diverse partnerships and scalable models, the program aims to transform systems, expand participation, and develop a more representative STEM workforce that reflects the full diversity of the United States.

Focus on clearly defining a broadening participation challenge and demonstrating scalable, collaborative infrastructure with measurable outcomes aligned to INCLUDES principles