NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program | 17 527

Opportunity Information: Apply for 17 527

The NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) Program is a National Science Foundation grant opportunity designed to strengthen the United States STEM workforce by expanding access to STEM degrees for academically talented students who have financial need. The basic idea is that the country needs more well-prepared scientists, engineers, and technicians to stay competitive, and that many capable students from low-income backgrounds are at higher risk of leaving STEM majors without targeted support. S-STEM addresses both sides of that problem: it increases direct scholarship support for students while also helping colleges and universities build stronger, evidence-based systems that improve student outcomes in STEM.

A key feature of S-STEM is that it treats scholarships as necessary but not sufficient. NSF explicitly recognizes that financial aid alone does not reliably increase retention, transfer success, or graduation in STEM. Because of that, the program funds Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) not only to provide scholarships, but also to adapt, implement, and study proven curricular and co-curricular strategies that help students persist and succeed. These supports can include structured mentoring, learning communities, cohort models, tutoring and supplemental instruction, undergraduate research opportunities, strengthened advising, career development activities, bridge programs, and transfer pathways for students moving from 2-year to 4-year programs. The expectation is that institutions will use the funding to build coordinated supports that address academic preparation, sense of belonging, navigation of STEM pathways, and career readiness, and that they will evaluate what works in their context.

The program has three main goals. First, it aims to increase the number of low-income, academically talented students with demonstrated financial need who earn STEM degrees and move into the STEM workforce or continue into graduate study. Second, it seeks to improve the education and preparation of future STEM professionals, with special attention to students whose financial circumstances can otherwise limit persistence and opportunity. Third, it is intended to generate knowledge: participating institutions are expected to contribute to broader understanding of how specific factors and evidence-based interventions influence retention, transfer (where relevant), academic and career pathways, and graduation for low-income STEM students. In practice, this means proposals often include a strong project evaluation or research component, sometimes involving faculty and experts in education research or social science methods to measure outcomes and understand why certain strategies succeed.

S-STEM supports a wide range of STEM disciplines, focusing on fields traditionally associated with NSF. These include the biological sciences (excluding medicine and clinical fields), physical sciences such as physics, chemistry, astronomy, and materials science, mathematical sciences, computer and information sciences, geosciences, and engineering. It also supports technology areas closely tied to those disciplines, such as biotechnology, chemical technology, engineering technology, and information technology. This breadth allows institutions to design scholarship and support models that fit local workforce needs and institutional strengths while still aligning with NSF-supported STEM areas.

Collaboration is strongly encouraged. The program invites partnerships across different types of institutions, which can be especially relevant for transfer-oriented projects connecting community colleges and universities. It also encourages collaborations between STEM faculty and experts in institutional research, education research, and social science research to strengthen the design and assessment of student supports. Where it makes sense, institutions are also encouraged to partner with local business and industry to connect students with internships, mentorship, applied learning opportunities, and clearer pathways into STEM employment after graduation.

In terms of applicants, awards are made to Institutions of Higher Education, with eligibility details referenced in the solicitation. The program particularly encourages proposals from 2-year institutions and institutions that serve large numbers of underrepresented or underserved students, including Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), tribal colleges, and urban public and rural institutions. This emphasis reflects the program focus on expanding opportunity and improving outcomes for talented students whose financial circumstances can otherwise restrict access to STEM degrees and careers.

For the specific opportunity details provided, the funding instrument is a discretionary grant administered by the National Science Foundation under CFDA 47.076. The opportunity listed an award ceiling of $5,000,000 and anticipated approximately 80 awards. The posting shows a creation date of December 3, 2016, with an original closing date of March 29, 2017. Overall, the grant is structured to help institutions simultaneously reduce financial barriers through scholarships and build durable, evidence-driven support systems that measurably improve STEM student persistence, completion, and advancement into STEM careers or graduate programs.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.076.
• This funding opportunity was created on Dec 03, 2016.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 29, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 80 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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