Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Undergraduate Program

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) is administered by the National Science Foundation within its Directorate for STEM Education. The program is designed to strengthen the capacity of Historically Black Colleges and Universities to deliver high-quality undergraduate education and research experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The initiative reflects NSF’s broader mission to expand participation in the STEM workforce and to enhance the nation’s competitiveness through inclusive excellence in education and research. HBCUs are recognized as critical contributors to the production of African American STEM graduates, and this program aims to build upon that foundation by supporting institutional and faculty development. The primary objective of HBCU-UP is to improve undergraduate STEM education and student success outcomes at eligible institutions. The program supports multiple project tracks, including Targeted Infusion Projects, Research on Broadening Participation in STEM, Research Initiation Awards, Implementation Projects, and Broadening Participation Research Centers. Each track is tailored to different institutional needs, ranging from short-term curriculum enhancements to large-scale institutional transformation and long-term research centers. These projects are intended to increase student retention, degree completion, and readiness for graduate education or careers in STEM fields. Funding under HBCU-UP may be used for a wide range of activities, including curriculum development, faculty research capacity building, student research experiences, infrastructure improvements, and institutional reform efforts. Certain restrictions apply, such as limits on equipment costs, which generally may not exceed 30 percent of the total budget for applicable tracks. The program does not allow voluntary committed cost sharing, and indirect cost limitations are not specifically imposed beyond standard NSF guidelines. Projects vary in duration from two to five years depending on the track, with funding amounts ranging from several hundred thousand dollars to several million dollars. Eligibility is restricted to accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities that offer undergraduate degree programs in STEM disciplines. These institutions may submit proposals under multiple tracks, subject to limitations on the number of submissions and active awards per institution. Principal Investigator requirements vary by track but generally require individuals to have direct responsibility for project implementation or research leadership. Some tracks impose additional eligibility criteria, such as prior institutional experience with NSF-funded projects or limitations on recent research funding for individual investigators. The application process is multi-phased and includes required submission components such as Letters of Intent, preliminary proposals for certain tracks, and full proposals. Submissions must be completed through Research.gov or Grants.gov in accordance with NSF’s Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide. Applications must include detailed project descriptions, evaluation plans, mentoring strategies, and supporting documentation such as letters of collaboration. Review criteria are based on NSF’s standard merit review principles, including intellectual merit and broader impacts, along with program-specific considerations. The program operates on a recurring annual or biennial cycle depending on the project track. Key deadlines include Letters of Intent typically due in July or September, and full proposal deadlines in October or November for most tracks. Broadening Participation Research Center proposals follow a different schedule with preliminary proposals due in March of alternating years. NSF generally communicates funding decisions within approximately six months of submission, and awarded projects are subject to standard reporting and evaluation requirements throughout the grant period. General inquiries about the program can be directed to the NSF program office via email or telephone. The program is currently not accepting proposals and is awaiting a new solicitation, but future cycles are expected based on the established recurring schedule. Institutions are encouraged to monitor NSF announcements for updates and to engage with program officers to determine readiness and alignment with program goals.

Align proposal with NSF merit criteria; emphasize measurable outcomes and evaluation; demonstrate institutional impact and sustainability; ensure strong dissemination plan