Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: December 5, 2025 (Preliminary Proposal, required; first Friday in December, every other year) | December 5, 2025 (Full Proposal, by invitation only; first Friday in December, every other year) | December 5, 2025 (Supplements; first Friday in December, annually)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1,500,000/year for 5 years (max $7,500,000 per center); partnership supplements up to $100,000 each; total program funding estimated at $8,000,000.
Summary: Supports the establishment of research centers at eligible minority-serving institutions to enhance STEM research capacity, integrate education, and broaden participation of underrepresented groups.
Key Information: Preliminary proposals are required; full proposals accepted by invitation only.
Description
This program provides multi-year support to Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) for the establishment of Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST Centers). The goal is to enhance research capabilities, foster institutional transformation, and broaden participation in STEM by supporting centers that integrate research and education, develop new knowledge, and increase the presence and success of historically underrepresented groups in STEM fields.
CREST Centers are expected to:
- Advance national research competitiveness.
- Integrate education and research with a focus on workforce development and broadening participation.
- Develop sustainable models for research excellence and secure non-CREST funding.
- Establish partnerships with research centers, industry, K-12 schools, and informal science organizations.
Awards are available for both new (Phase I) and continuing (Phase II) centers, as well as for partnership supplements to foster collaboration with existing CREST Centers or other research entities.
Due Dates
- Preliminary Proposal (required): December 5, 2025 (first Friday in December, every other year)
- Full Proposal (by invitation only): December 5, 2025 (first Friday in December, every other year)
- Supplement Proposals: December 5, 2025 (first Friday in December, annually)
Note: Submission of a preliminary proposal is required to be eligible for a full proposal. Full proposals are accepted by invitation following successful review of the preliminary proposal.
Funding Amount
- CREST Center Awards: Up to $1,500,000 per year, for a maximum of 5 years (total up to $7,500,000 per center).
- Partnership Supplements: Up to $100,000 per supplement.
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $8,000,000 (subject to availability of funds).
- Number of Awards: Approximately 5 new center awards per competition cycle.
No cost sharing is required. Subawards to partner institutions are permitted but limited to 10% of the total award.
Eligibility
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Eligible Institutions:
- MSIs that offer graduate degrees in NSF STEM areas.
- At least 50% of student enrollment must be from minority groups underrepresented in advanced science and engineering degrees.
- Institutions serving populations of students with disabilities meeting the 50% enrollment criterion are also eligible.
- Eligibility can be determined using IPEDS data.
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Principal Investigator (PI):
- Must hold a full-time faculty appointment at the submitting institution.
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Other Requirements:
- Only one preliminary proposal per eligible institution per cycle.
- Only one active CREST Center award per institution at a time.
- Institutions may re-compete in different disciplinary areas with new teams.
- Partnership supplements only available to current CREST Center awardees.
Application Process
- Preliminary Proposal: Required for all Phase I and Phase II projects. Submit via Research.gov.
- Full Proposal: By invitation only, following a successful preliminary proposal.
- Submission Platforms: Research.gov or Grants.gov (see solicitation for details).
- Proposal Contents: Must follow the detailed structure outlined in the program solicitation, including project description, management plan, evaluation plan, letters of support, and more.
- Budget: Must comply with limits and include funds for evaluation and required participation in annual PI meetings.
- Supplements: Current CREST Centers may apply for partnership supplements to expand collaborations.
Additional Information
- Priority Areas: Preference for proposals in STEM disciplines where minorities are less than 40% of graduates.
- Sustainability: Proposals should address plans for sustaining activities and research capacity beyond the award period.
- Partnerships: Required with industry, research universities, K-12, or other organizations; subawards must not exceed 10% of total award.
- Evaluation: Robust, independent evaluation plan required.
- Reporting: Annual reports and participation in NSF program evaluation are required.
External Links
Contact Information
For further questions, refer to the NSF CREST program page or email the contacts above.