SPARK-ND 2026 Broadening Participation Research
Limited submission
SPARK-ND 2026 Broadening Participation Research by North Dakota EPSCoR funds early-stage collaborative STEM research to advance diversity and inclusion across North Dakota institutions.
Funder: North Dakota EPSCoR
Due Dates: September 30, 2026 (Full application submission by 5:00 pm CT/CDT)
Funding Amounts: Up to $30,000 per award (total costs, 18-month max); 1–2 awards anticipated.
Summary: Supports collaborative, multi-institutional teams to broaden participation and diversity in North Dakota STEM, positioning them for future federal grant submissions.
Key Information: Limited submission: Only one application per institution as lead, must be institutionally approved.
Description
The SPARK-ND 2026 Broadening Participation Research program, administered by North Dakota EPSCoR, provides planning or pilot grants to support the early-stage development of collaborative, multi-institutional research teams focused on increasing diversity and broadening participation in STEM fields across North Dakota. This initiative aims to strengthen the state's STEM pathway by supporting projects that gather pilot data, design interventions, and establish partnerships—positioning teams for future competitive federal grant submissions (e.g., NSF, NIH).
Proposals must include substantial involvement from at least one researcher at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution (PUI) or Tribal College or University (TCU). Funded activities should align with the missions of ND EPSCoR and SPARK-ND, as well as the North Dakota Science and Technology Plan, with a special emphasis on increasing retention and graduation rates of underrepresented students in STEM.
