The U.S. National Science Foundation Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EES) is committed to creating a more inclusive environment for STEM education. EES aims to provide opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds, especially those who have been historically underrepresented in science and engineering, to actively participate and excel in STEM disciplines.
EES ensures that all students can have access to and thrive in STEM fields by supporting initiatives that break down barriers, encourage diversity and create more inclusive learning environments.
On this page
What we support
EES supports various programs aimed at enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion in all levels of STEM education. This includes funding for initiatives that encourage systemic changes within educational institutions, supporting the success of underrepresented groups in STEM and the development of innovative strategies to improve both recruitment and retention of diverse talent.
Core Programs
EES drives systemic improvements through several key programs that address equity in STEM education:
ADVANCE: Organizational Change for Gender Equity in STEM Academic Professions
Supports systemic change projects to enhance gender equity and inclusion for STEM faculty.
Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate
Supports alliances among institutions of higher education to design and implement strategies that increase the number of historically underrepresented STEM faculty and promote systemic change.
Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology
Supports the advancement of research capabilities at minority-serving institutions by funding centers that conduct cutting-edge STEM research, fostering collaboration, innovation and the development of a diverse STEM workforce.
EDU Core Research
Supports research on STEM education in one or more of three research areas: STEM learning and learning environments, broadening participation in STEM and STEM workforce development.
Excellence Awards in Science and Engineering
Supports innovative research to improve understanding and utilization of the radio frequency spectrum, fostering advancements in wireless communication and spectrum-sharing technologies for societal benefit.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Undergraduate Program
Supports projects that enhance STEM education and research capacity at HBCUs, with the aim of increasing the recruitment, retention and graduation of underrepresented students in STEM disciplines.
Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation
Supports partnerships between institutions of higher education and other organizations with the aim of increasing STEM degrees to underrepresented populations and supporting research on STEM participation and assessment of LSAMP program impacts.
NSF's Eddie Bernice Johnson Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science Initiative
Supports collaborative efforts to broaden participation in STEM by creating inclusive partnerships and scalable strategies that address systemic barriers and promote diversity across the STEM workforce.
Tribal Colleges and Universities Program
Supports tribal colleges and universities, Alaska Native-serving institutions and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions to promote STEM research and education to increase the number of Native Americans in STEM careers.
Workplace Equity for Persons with Disabilities in STEM and STEM Education
Supports fundamental, applied and translational research that advances knowledge and practice about diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible STEM and STEM education workplaces and postsecondary training environments for persons with disabilities.
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