Complete program solicitation

The NSF S-STEM program supports institutions of higher education to fund scholarships for academically talented low-income STEM majors and to study and implement a program of activities that support their recruitment, retention and graduation. Recognizing that financial aid alone cannot increase retention and graduation in STEM, the program provides awards to institutions of higher education (IHEs) not only to fund scholarships, but also to adapt, implement, and study evidence-based curricular and co-curricular activities that have been shown to be effective in supporting recruitment, retention, transfer (if appropriate), student success, academic/career pathways, and graduation in STEM.

Disciplinary fields in which research is funded by NSF are eligible, including technology fields associated with S-STEM eligible disciplines (e.g., biotechnology, engineering technology, information technology, etc.)

NDSU has an active S-STEM award in biological sciences. As such, NDSU is eligible to apply to Track 2 or Track 3, in disciplinary areas distinct from biological sciences.

• Track 2: Implementation Projects. Up to $2,000,000 total for up to 6 years. At least 60% of funds must be for scholarships.
• Track 3: Inter-institutional Consortia. Up to $5,000,000 total for up to 6 years. At least 60% of funds must be for scholarships. Requires multiple institutions to partner.

Notifications of Interest

Notifications of Interest in applying to this program are due to ndsu.researchdev@ndsu.edu by 5pm on Monday, November 23.

Notifications should include the following information:

• Names of PI and any Co-PIs identified
• The track in which you are interested
  • If track 3, include partnering institution(s) and PIs
• The disciplinary area and degree program of the proposed S-STEM.

NDSU may submit a maximum of two applications to the 2027 deadline. If more notifications of interest are received than there are available application slots, an internal pre-proposal process will be used. As part of the internal selection process, preference will be given to applications relevant to the current administration’s priorities.

Deadlines and Key Dates

• Internal Date to Notify RCA of Interest: November 23, 2026 by 5pm CST
• Internal Date to Submit RCA Pre-Proposal (if needed): Wednesday, December 23, 2026 by 12pm (noon). 
• Full Proposal Due to NSF: March 2, 2027

E-MAIL NOTIFICATIONS TO: ndsu.researchdev@ndsu.edu

Limited submission grant programs are those that indicate a limit on the number of proposals that may be submitted by an institution for a particular deadline. A selection process becomes necessary if more applicants express interest in applying than NDSU is allowed to submit to the grant program.