Tribal Colleges and Universities Program
TCUP provides grants to Tribal Colleges, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian institutions for STEM education, research, and outreach, with various tracks for capacity-building, faculty research, and partnerships.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: January 11, 2027 (SGR) | April 1, 2027 (ICE-TI, TSIP) | June 1, 2027 (TEA Centers) | September 1, 2027 (TSETS) | October 14, 2027 (Partnerships, CHAI, Pre-TI window closes)
Funding Amounts: $100,000–$3,500,000 award range; $10,799,836 estimated total program funding
Summary: TCUP supports STEM education, research, infrastructure, and community engagement at eligible Native-serving colleges and universities.
Key Information: Lead applicants must be federally recognized Tribal Colleges and Universities, eligible Alaska Native-serving institutions, or eligible Native Hawaiian-serving institutions.
Description
The National Science Foundation’s Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) funds transformative capacity-building, community engagement, and faculty research. It aims to increase Native individuals’ participation in STEM careers, improve institutional STEM programs, and strengthen STEM activity in the communities these institutions serve. Supported fields include natural, social and behavioral sciences, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and STEM education.
The program’s eight funding strands address institutional improvements, targeted instructional innovations, K–12 teacher development, community-centered research, cyberinfrastructure, strategic planning, partnerships, and individual faculty research. Priorities include helping students through educational and workforce transitions, innovating in instruction and curricula, providing original research experiences, and promoting STEM entrepreneurship and community collaborations. Integration of traditional knowledge and community goals with STEM education and research is encouraged.
