Funder: National Science Foundation
Due Dates: September 16, 2025 (Full Proposal: Research/Synthesis) | Rolling (Conference/EAGER/RAPID, with program officer approval)
Funding Amounts: Research: up to $1,500,000 over 5 years | Synthesis: up to $600,000 over 3 years | Conference/EAGER/RAPID: varies
Summary: Supports research to advance equity, inclusion, and accessibility in STEM workplaces and postsecondary training for persons with disabilities.
Key Information: All proposals must address six required project design components, including authentic disability experience and accessible dissemination.
Description
This opportunity, managed by the NSF Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM, funds fundamental, applied, and translational research to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in STEM and STEM education workplaces and postsecondary training environments for persons with disabilities. Projects should address barriers, apply intersectional perspectives, or develop solution-oriented translational research to advance workplace equity for people with disabilities in STEM.
Proposals must address six key project design components:
- Inclusion of researchers, experts, and organizations with authentic disability experiences
- Identification of disability type(s) to be investigated
- Specification of STEM/STEM education workplaces or training settings to be studied
- Use of theoretical/conceptual frameworks and robust research design
- A plan to assess project success
- A plan for accessible dissemination of outcomes
The program welcomes a range of proposal types, including Research, Synthesis, Conference, EAGER, RAPID, and Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED).
Due Dates
- Full Proposal Deadline (Research/Synthesis): September 16, 2025 (third Tuesday in September, annually thereafter)
- Conference, EAGER, RAPID Proposals: Accepted before or after the target date, but EAGER/RAPID require prior program officer approval
Funding Amount
- Research Projects: Up to $1,500,000 total, maximum 5 years
- Synthesis Projects: Up to $600,000 total, maximum 3 years
- Conference, EAGER, RAPID: Budget varies by project scope and type
- Estimated Number of Awards: 10–20 per year, subject to availability of funds
- Total Program Funding: Estimated $5,000,000 annually
Eligibility
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Eligible Applicants:
- U.S. institutions of higher education (2- and 4-year, including community colleges)
- Non-profit, non-academic organizations (e.g., museums, research labs, professional societies)
- For-profit U.S.-based commercial organizations (including small businesses)
- State and local governments, school districts
- Federally recognized Tribal governments
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PI/Co-PI Restrictions: None
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Number of Proposals per Organization/PI: No limits
Application Process
- Submission Platforms: Research.gov or Grants.gov
- Letters of Intent/Preliminary Proposals: Not required
- Full Proposal: Must follow the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and solicitation-specific requirements
- EAGER/RAPID: Require a concept outline and written program officer approval before submission
- Conference Proposals: See PAPPG Chapter II.F.9 for guidance
- FASED Requests: May be included as part of a regular proposal or as a supplement to an existing award
Additional Information
- Cost Sharing: Not allowed
- Indirect Costs: No specific limitations
- Annual Awardee Meeting: Budget for travel to an annual two-day meeting near NSF headquarters is required
- Data Management Plan: Required (2 pages)
- Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan: Required if postdocs are included
- Letters of Collaboration: Allowed (must follow PAPPG requirements); letters of support/endorsement are not permitted
- Accessibility: Dissemination plans must comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
External Links
Contact Information
For additional or updated contacts, see the NSF program page.