Funder: National Science Foundation
Due Dates: Proposals accepted anytime
Funding Amounts: RUI: Typically $75,000–several hundred thousand per year for up to 3 years | ROA: Up to $80,000 for 2–12 months | ~$56M total program funding annually
Summary: Supports research by faculty at predominantly undergraduate institutions to build research capacity, engage undergraduates, and foster collaborations through RUI and ROA mechanisms.
Key Information: Applicants must contact NSF program officers to confirm program-specific requirements and deadlines.
Description
The National Science Foundation (NSF) offers funding to support research by faculty at predominantly undergraduate institutions (PUIs) through two mechanisms: Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) and Research Opportunity Awards (ROA). These programs aim to strengthen research environments at PUIs, promote the integration of research and undergraduate education, and foster collaborations with research-intensive institutions.
RUI proposals support faculty research at PUIs, including individual and collaborative projects, and may include requests for shared research instrumentation. ROA awards enable PUI faculty to participate as visiting scientists at research-intensive organizations, often as supplements to existing NSF awards or as components of new collaborative proposals.
All NSF directorates may support RUI and ROA activities, and proposals are evaluated within the disciplinary programs relevant to the proposed research.
Due Dates
- Proposals are accepted at any time.
- Submission deadlines and requirements may vary by NSF program; applicants must consult with the relevant NSF program officer before submission.
Funding Amount
- Total Program Funding: Approximately $56 million annually (recent years: ~$53M for RUI, ~$3M for ROA).
- RUI Awards: Typically range from $75,000 to several hundred thousand dollars per year, for up to 3 years. Collaborative projects may receive higher amounts.
- ROA Awards: Up to $80,000 for periods of 2 to 12 months, depending on the type and duration of the activity.
- Funding is at the discretion of NSF divisions and is not held as a separate allocation.
Eligibility
- Eligible Institutions: Accredited colleges and universities (including two-year community colleges) that award Associate's, Bachelor's, and/or Master's degrees in NSF-supported fields, and have awarded 20 or fewer Ph.D./D.Sci. degrees in all NSF-supported fields in the previous two academic years.
- Eligible Applicants: Faculty employed by or committed to employment at an eligible PUI at the time of proposal submission.
- Collaborations: RUI proposals may involve multiple institutions, but a PUI must have primary management responsibility. ROA activities may be included as supplements, subawards, or collaborative components.
- No limit on the number of proposals per organization; PI limits may vary by program.
Application Process
- Consultation Required: Prospective PIs must contact the relevant NSF disciplinary program officer to confirm program-specific requirements and deadlines.
- Submission Platforms: Proposals may be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov.
- Required Documents:
- RUI proposals: Must include a Certification of RUI/ROA Eligibility (signed by an Authorized Organizational Representative) and a separate RUI Impact Statement (up to 5 pages).
- ROA requests: Require a Certification of RUI/ROA Eligibility; RUI Impact Statement is not required for ROA supplements.
- Proposal Preparation: Follow the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and any program-specific solicitation instructions.
- Cost Sharing: Voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.
Additional Information
- Instrumentation Requests: The NSF Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program should be considered first for shared instrumentation needs.
- Review Criteria: Proposals are evaluated on intellectual merit and broader impacts, with special attention to the RUI Impact Statement and the unique circumstances of PUIs.
- Reporting: Standard NSF reporting requirements apply for awarded projects.
- Build America, Buy America: All materials used in funded projects must comply with U.S. production requirements.
External Links
Contact Information