Scholarships in STEM Network | 23 536

Opportunity Information: Apply for 23 536

The National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity "Scholarships in STEM Network" (S-STEM-Net), Funding Opportunity Number 23-536, is a discretionary grant program designed to strengthen and connect the national community involved in NSF’s Scholarships in STEM (S-STEM) efforts. The central purpose is to build a more coordinated, well-supported network of stakeholders and to expand the shared infrastructure needed to generate, refine, and spread practical knowledge about what helps domestic low-income students succeed in STEM. The program is rooted in the broader S-STEM legislative vision that economic circumstances should not prevent Americans from preparing for and contributing to the nation’s innovation economy if they choose to do so.

A key feature of this solicitation is NSF’s plan to fund several S-STEM Research Hubs, referred to as S-STEM-Hubs. These Hubs are intended to serve as focal points for collaboration across the wider S-STEM network. Rather than operating as isolated projects, the Hubs are expected to work together to create synergies and help sustain a durable national ecosystem. That ecosystem is described as multi-sector, meaning it is meant to connect higher education with partners such as local and regional organizations, industry, nonprofit organizations, and government entities at the federal, state, and local levels. The overall emphasis is on supporting domestic low-income STEM students, at both undergraduate and graduate levels, in reaching their educational milestones and career goals, while maintaining a strong commitment to access, inclusion, and responsiveness to changing learning needs.

The work supported under S-STEM-Net focuses on two closely related outcomes: research and dissemination. On the research side, the Hubs will investigate barriers that continue to evolve for low-income STEM students, recognizing that challenges can shift over time due to changes in institutional environments, workforce expectations, technology, and broader social and economic conditions. On the dissemination side, the Hubs are expected to communicate not only which interventions appear effective, but also the context in which they work. This includes documenting the circumstances, settings, and implementation conditions that help explain why certain approaches lead to improved persistence, graduation, or successful transitions into STEM careers. In practical terms, the program is aiming to move beyond one-size-fits-all recommendations and toward clearer, evidence-based design principles that institutions and partners can adapt to their own situations.

The intended audience for the knowledge produced and shared through S-STEM-Net is broad and includes higher education institutions, faculty, scholars, researchers, and evaluators, as well as organizations and agencies that influence student success. NSF is explicitly positioning S-STEM-Net as a national learning and coordination platform for people and institutions working to improve outcomes for domestic low-income students in STEM fields. The opportunity is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development and is listed under CFDA number 47.076.

From the source data provided, NSF anticipated making around five awards, with an award ceiling of up to $15,000,000. The opportunity was created on December 23, 2022, and had an original closing date of March 29, 2023. Eligibility is listed as "Others" with additional clarification expected in the official eligibility section of the solicitation. Overall, the program is best understood as an investment in national-scale coordination, research, and knowledge-sharing infrastructure that strengthens the ability of diverse partners to support low-income STEM students and to scale successful practices based on solid evidence and clear implementation guidance.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Scholarships in STEM Network" 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 23, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 29, 2023. (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 $15,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for 23 536

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