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NSF 22-584: LSAMP National Coordination Hub and Louis Stokes Community Resource Centers (LSAMP Hub & LSCRCs)

Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP)

Program Solicitation

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Document History

  • Posted: April 11, 2022
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Program Solicitation NSF 22-584

NSF Logo

National Science Foundation

Directorate for STEM Education
     Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM

Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter's local time):

     January 09, 2023

Louis Stokes Community Resource Centers

     January 09, 2023

LSAMP National Coordination Hub

     June 01, 2023

Louis Stokes Community Resource Centers

Important Information And Revision Notes

Innovating and migrating proposal preparation and submission capabilities from FastLane to Research.gov is part of the ongoing NSF information technology modernization efforts, as described in Important Notice No. 147. In support of these efforts, research proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation must be prepared and submitted via Research.gov or via Grants.gov, and may not be prepared or submitted via FastLane.

Any proposal submitted in response to this solicitation should be submitted in accordance with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted. The NSF PAPPG is regularly revised and it is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets the requirements specified in this solicitation and the applicable version of the PAPPG. Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.

Summary Of Program Requirements

General Information

Program Title:

LSAMP National Coordination Hub and Louis Stokes Community Resource Centers (LSAMP Hub & LSCRCs)
Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP)

Synopsis of Program:

This new solicitation from the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) calls for proposals for an LSAMP National Coordination Hub (LSAMP Hub) and for Louis Stokes Community Resource Centers (LSCRCs). These new funding opportunities will support the overall goal of the LSAMP program to assist universities and colleges in diversifying the nation's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce by increasing the number of STEM baccalaureate and graduate degrees awarded to individuals from populations underrepresented in these disciplines: Blacks and African Americans, Alaska Natives, American Indians, Hispanic and Latino Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Native Pacific Islanders.

The LSAMP Hub will promote intentional coordination, stronger collaborations, and enhance interactions among the broader LSAMP community as well as provide a bridge between alliance and non-alliance organizations. The LSAMP Hub activities will support comprehensive, evidence-based, innovative, and sustained strategies that ultimately result in the graduation of well-prepared, highly-qualified students from underrepresented minority groups who pursue graduate studies or careers in STEM. In addition, the LSAMP Hub will serve as the nexus for LSAMP activities, including those of alliances, existing Louis Stokes Regional Centers of Excellence in Broadening Participation (LSRCEs), and the new LSCRCs, to support the overall LSAMP goals.

The LSCRCs will accelerate the pace of knowledge generation and research dissemination in the areas of broadening participation, STEM education for LSAMP populations, and preparation for national STEM priorities. In addition, the LSCRCs will support a community of researchers and facilitate scholarly opportunities that will further advance the overall goal of the LSAMP program to diversify the nation's STEM workforce.

The activities of the Hub, along with the new LSCRCs, will complement and amplify the work of the existing alliances and assist in wider dissemination of knowledge production from LSAMP activities. They will also support the program in further development of partnerships both across the LSAMP community and with other national efforts. These efforts are in alignment with NSF goals and priorities included in the NSF Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY) 2022 – 2026, Leading the World in Discovery and Innovation, STEM Talent Development and the Delivery of Benefits from Research, the National Science Board's Vision 2030 with its emphasis on the importance of finding the missing millions to reduce the significant talent gap in the Nation's workforce, and the Federal Government's five-year strategic plan for STEM education, Charting a Course for Success: America's Strategy for STEM Education.

Cognizant Program Officer(s):

Please note that the following information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of contact.

  • LSAMP Program Team, telephone: (703) 292-8640, email: LSAMP_national@nsf.gov
  • Martha James, Lead Program Director, telephone: (703) 292-7772, email: mjames@nsf.gov
  • LeRoy Jones, Program Director, telephone: (703) 292-4684, email: ljones@nsf.gov
  • Sonja Montas-Hunter, Program Director, telephone: (703) 292-7404, email: smontash@nsf.gov
  • Sandra Romano, Program Director, telephone: (703) 292-5064, email: sromano@nsf.gov
  • Cynthia R. Douglas, Program Specialist, telephone: (703) 292-5175, email: cdouglas@nsf.gov

Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):

  • 47.076 --- STEM Education

Award Information

Anticipated Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement or Continuing Grant

Estimated Number of Awards: 1 to 6

Anticipated Funding Amount: $3,500,000 to $5,000,000

During FY2023, depending on availability of funds, the program expects to support:

LSAMP National Coordination Hub: One (1) new project with total budget up to $5 million (maximum $1.0M per year) for up to 5 years. The award will be made as a Cooperative Agreement.

Louis Stokes Community Resource Centers: Three to five (3-5) new projects with total budgets up to $3.5M each (maximum $700,000 per year) for 3 to 5 years. These awards will be made as Continuing Grants.

Eligibility Information

Who May Submit Proposals:

The categories of proposers eligible to submit proposals to the National Science Foundation are identified in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), Chapter I.E. Unaffiliated individuals are not eligible to submit proposals in response to this solicitation.

Who May Serve as PI:

There are no restrictions or limits.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1

An organization may serve as the lead institution on one (1) LSAMP National Coordination Hub proposal or on one (1) Louis Stokes Community Resource Center proposal.

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: 1

An individual may serve as a PI or Co-PI on one (1) LSAMP National Coordination Hub proposal or one (1) Louis Stokes Community Resource Center proposal. Proposals that exceed the PI or Co-PI limit will be returned without review.

Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions

A. Proposal Preparation Instructions

  • Letters of Intent: Not required
  • Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not required
  • Full Proposals:

B. Budgetary Information

  • Cost Sharing Requirements:

    Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.

  • Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:

    Not Applicable

  • Other Budgetary Limitations:

    Not Applicable

C. Due Dates

  • Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter's local time):

         January 09, 2023

    Louis Stokes Community Resource Centers

         January 09, 2023

    LSAMP National Coordination Hub

         June 01, 2023

    Louis Stokes Community Resource Centers

Proposal Review Information Criteria

Merit Review Criteria:

National Science Board approved criteria. Additional merit review criteria apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

Award Administration Information

Award Conditions:

Additional award conditions apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

Reporting Requirements:

Standard NSF reporting requirements apply.

I. Introduction

With this solicitation, the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program is requesting proposals for an LSAMP National Coordination Hub (LSAMP Hub) and for Louis Stokes Community Resource Centers (LSCRCs). These new activities will complement and amplify the work of the existing program activities as well as support wider dissemination of the results of LSAMP activities. The LSCRCs and the LSAMP Hub will also support the program in further development of partnerships both across the LSAMP community and with other national efforts. This new solicitation will support LSAMP community-focused activities in contrast to the longstanding LSAMP program solicitation (see the LSAMP Program webpage) which provides for student-focused activities.

Since 1991, the LSAMP program has been investing in the nation's colleges and universities to aid student success, directly or indirectly, creating a new generation of STEM discoverers for the National STEM enterprise. The overall goal of the program is to support the diversification of the nation's STEM workforce by funding institutions of higher education, working together as alliances, to implement comprehensive, evidence-based, and sustained approaches to broadening the participation in STEM for individuals from underrepresented populations in STEM: Blacks and African Americans, Alaska Natives, American Indians, Hispanic and Latino Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Native Pacific Islanders (these populations will be referred to here as LSAMP populations). The LSAMP program focuses on students at the undergraduate (including community college) and post-baccalaureate levels. It supports knowledge generation, knowledge utilization, assessment of program impacts, and dissemination activities for broadening participation in STEM education, facilitating the successful production of highly capable and diverse STEM talent. LSAMP's efforts to increase diversity in STEM remain aligned with the goals of the National Science Board's Vision 2030 report.

The LSAMP program currently has over 600 organizations participating in 57 active alliances, nine Research Centers of Excellence and other STEM education projects. The Urban Institute's evaluation of the program1 determined that it had been successful in "increasing the quality and quantity of students who successfully complete LSAMP-supported STEM baccalaureate programs." The success of program activities is also demonstrated in a recent special edition publication on broadening participation in STEM2. LSAMP alliances have consistently contributed to a robust number of STEM baccalaureate degrees per year amongst LSAMP populations.

To increase program impact, since 2017 the LSAMP program has funded nine Louis Stokes Regional Centers of Excellence in Broadening Participation (LSRCEs) to serve as regional testbeds for outreach, knowledge-diffusion activities, or other practices that contribute to successful outcomes in STEM education. The nine LSRCEs serve as regional exemplar sites in innovative STEM learning and research collaboration, and also interface and leverage resources to advance STEM education and broadening participation, particularly for students underrepresented in STEM disciplines. Beneficial outcomes of the existing centers include: (1) regional repositories for LSAMP best practices at the undergraduate and graduate levels, (2) regional centers for broadening participation research including outcomes of international research opportunities for students, leadership, and nanotechnology, and (3) coordination with the NSF INCLUDES national network.

Given the large number of alliances and organizations that have come to participate in LSAMP activities, there is a need for more community development in addition to the student-focused activities of the alliances. With the LSAMP Hub and LSCRCs supported in this new solicitation, NSF seeks to:

  1. Increase opportunities in support of developing a diverse STEM workforce.
  2. Increase opportunities that pertain to national priorities and to NSF's high priority research areas.
  3. Support the development and efficacy of LSAMP alliances.
  4. Strengthen connections and provide resources to the LSAMP community.
  5. Support partnerships among both LSAMP and non-LSAMP organizations.

The LSAMP Hub will promote intentional coordination, stronger collaborations, and build community among the broader LSAMP community as well as provide a bridge between alliance and non-alliance organizations. The LSAMP Hub will coordinate all LSAMP activities, including those of alliances, existing LSCREs, and the new LSCRCs. The coordination activities of the Hub, along with the research activities of the new LSCRCs, will complement and amplify the work of the existing alliances and assist in wider dissemination of knowledge production from LSAMP activities. In contrast to the current regionally focused LSRCEs, LSCRCs may reach out across the entire LSAMP community. The LSCRCs will accelerate the pace of knowledge generation and research dissemination in the areas of broadening participation, STEM education for LSAMP populations, and preparation for national STEM priorities. In addition, the LSCRCs will support a community of researchers and facilitate scholarly opportunities that will further advance the overall goal of the LSAMP program to diversify the nation's STEM workforce. Each LSCRC will focus on a topic or theme that will advance knowledge for preparing students from LSAMP populations for 21st century careers, with a focus on meeting national priorities and preparation for emerging sciences (e.g. artificial intelligence, data science, climate change, cybersecurity). Unlike the alliances, the Hub and the LSCRCs will not directly develop and implement institutional programs to increase the number of persons from LSAMP populations earning baccalaureate degrees in STEM; instead they will serve as resources to LSAMP projects in achieving program goals.

The LSAMP Hub and new LSCRCs will increase the LSAMP program's ability to support NSF's overall strategy to develop a globally engaged workforce necessary to ensure the Nation's leadership in advancing science and engineering research and innovation. The coordination activities of the LSAMP Hub and the research activities of the LSCRCs will provide increased opportunities for LSAMP populations in research and education. Thus, the LSAMP Hub and the new LSCRCs will support, and expand the ability of the LSAMP program in the preparation of LSAMP populations for high priority research areas in alignment with NSF goals and priorities included in the NSF Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY) 2022 – 2026, Leading the World in Discovery and Innovation, STEM Talent Development and the Delivery of Benefits from Research, the National Science Board's Vision 2030 with its emphasis on the importance of finding the missing millions to reduce the significant talent gap in the Nation's workforce, and the Federal Government's five-year strategic plan for STEM education, Charting a Course for Success: America's Strategy for STEM Education.

1 Clewell, B.C., Cosentino de Cohen, C., Tsui, L. and Deterding, N. (2006). Revitalizing the Nation's Talent Pool in STEM. Urban Institute. Washington, D.C.

2 New Developments in Pathways Towards Diversity and Inclusion in STEM: A United States Perspective. (2021) Front. Edu., Vol. 6.

II. Program Description

LSAMP National Coordination Hub (LSAMP Hub)

Five-Year Project Up to $5.0M

LSAMP Hub proposals are expected to describe how proposed activities will achieve the goals for the LSAMP Hub:

  1. strengthen networking across the LSAMP grantee community nationally through conferences, workshops, and electronic communication;
  2. increase dissemination of LSAMP project outcomes including outreach to non-LSAMP organizations/institutes;
  3. enhance the overall influence and reach of LSAMP activities;
  4. coordinate with other NSF centers and the INCLUDES network; and
  5. work collaboratively with the full LSAMP grantee community, from small projects to LSCRCs.

The LSAMP Hub is meant to serve the LSAMP grantee community in the following activities:

  1. Fostering collaboration, communication, and networking across LSAMP alliances, alliance partners, existing LSRCEs, and new LSCRCs. This may include:
    1. providing opportunities for the exchange of practical, theory-based information and ideas through the convening of conferences, institutes, and workshops;
    2. developing electronic newsletters, guides, books, and other communication products;
    3. administrating a website and listservs on broadening participation topics; and
    4. strategically convening stakeholders across the LSAMP community (including annual LSAMP PI meetings).
  2. Increasing and strengthening sharing and dissemination of knowledge and strategies for successful alliance and center formation, growth, sustainability, and institutionalization in support of the formation of new alliances and centers. This may include:
    1. technical assistance workshops that support current and potential PIs to successfully manage projects;
    2. mechanisms to provide newly funded LSAMP alliances and their evaluators with mentors from established LSAMP alliances and evaluators; and
    3. facilitation of interactions between LSAMP alliances, existing LSCREs, and the new LSCRCs.
  3. Supporting the community of alliance, LSRCE, and LSCRC evaluators in sharing knowledge with one another to strengthen alliance assessment and evaluation practice and processes. This may include the establishment of a community of practice.
  4. Working with the LSAMP community to develop a central repository for LSAMP community practices, evidence, models, and education research with effective mechanisms to share the repository's contents with the LSAMP grantee community as well as other stakeholders.
  5. Supporting the LSAMP community of STEM education researchers focused on LSAMP to strengthen the educational knowledge base of research on STEM education of underrepresented groups.
  6. Increasing awareness about LSAMP in the broader STEM education community comprised of national, state, and local educators, and other stakeholders including the preparation and dissemination of publications about the impacts and activities of the LSAMP grantees and outreach to non-LSAMP organizations on broadening participation topics.
  7. Coordinating with NSF, other NSF and national networks, resource hubs, and centers, especially the NSF INCLUDES national network.

In addition to the general expectations for the LSAMP Hub and the LSCRCs (see below), the most competitive proposals for the LSAMP Hub will also address:

  1. how the LSAMP Hub plans to engage the LSAMP community - LSAMP grantees, new LSCRCs, and existing LSRCEs- in knowledge production and sharing of best practices, including continuous program improvement, as well as increasing NSF LSAMP visibility and impact throughout the nation. This requires engagement with the full range of LSAMP grantees, including LSCRCs and LSRCEs; and
  2. what the LSAMP Hub plans are for identifying and forming strategic partnerships both within the LSAMP community as well as with non-LSAMP organizations to support the goals and objectives of LSAMP.

A competitive LSAMP Hub proposal will include diverse teams of organizations and individuals with complementary areas of expertise and with a rationale for the partners. Partnering organizations may include IHEs, professional organizations, businesses, industry groups, government organizations, non-profit companies, community-based organizations, and science- or industry-focused organizations. It is essential that LSAMP community members and grantees play an integral role in the LSAMP Hub.

The LSAMP Hub may be for up to 5 years at a maximum of $1,000,000 per year. It will play a critical role in coordinating the national LSAMP program effort. LSAMP Hub proposals may involve multiple organizations, but proposals may only be submitted from a lead organization with other collaborating organizations included as subawardees. The LSAMP Hub award will be a Cooperative Agreement.

Louis Stokes Community Resource Centers (LSCRCs)

Five-Year Projects Up to $3.5M

The LSCRCs are referred to as community resource centers because they are expected to serve as a source of knowledge, research, and opportunities for LSAMP alliances and LSAMP populations, as well as provide a bridge between alliance and non-alliance organizations.

LSCRCs are expected to clearly identify a set of activities on a topic or theme that will advance knowledge for preparing students from LSAMP populations for 21st century careers, with a focus on meeting national priorities and preparation for emerging sciences (e.g. artificial intelligence, data science, climate change, cybersecurity).

The goals of the LSCRCs are to:

  1. Serve as facilitators and innovators in broadening participation and STEM education for LSAMP populations.
  2. Advance knowledge for preparing students from LSAMP populations for 21st century careers, with a focus on meeting national priorities, and emerging sciences (e.g. artificial intelligence, data science, climate change, cybersecurity).
  3. Develop partnerships in support of center focus areas with alliance and non-alliance organizations.

LSCRC activities could include but are not limited to:

  • development of and research on high impact educational practices, evidence-based strategies (e.g., active learning, course-based undergraduate research, etc.), and culturally relevant practices;
  • development of and research on preparing students for a career in an emerging science;
  • student and/or faculty STEM mentoring development; and
  • support for STEM leadership development.

In addition to the general expectations for the LSAMP Hub and LSCRCs (see below), the most competitive proposals for LSCRCs will also address:

  1. use of evidence-based, culturally relevant practices as part of proposed LSCRC activities;
  2. implementation of activities around a common theme;
  3. engagement of LSAMP stakeholders with the LSCRC; and
  4. partnerships in support of LSCRC activities.

LSCRCs are three- to five-year projects that have wide latitude for design of research, outreach, and synthesis activities. The maximum funding level is $700,000 per year. LSCRC awards will be Continuing Grants.

To accomplish the mission of the LSCRCs, collaborative proposals may be submitted using either method described in PAPPG Chapter II.D.3: as a single proposal with subawards administered by the lead organization or as separately submitted collaborative proposals from multiple organizations. Up to five (5) partnering organizations may submit proposals as part of a collaborative proposal from multiple organizations. In either case, requested dollar amounts for collaborators (as sub-awardees or as separately submitted collaborative proposals) must be at or above $100,000. Proposals should demonstrate that all collaborators have sufficient resources for full participation in proposed activities.

LSCRCs led by institutions of higher education are required to build partnerships with at least one of these entities, i.e. research organization, Science & Technology (S&T) center, national laboratory, industry, private foundation, or professional STEM society/organization that can contribute to evidence-based results in STEM education. Ideally, the partnership should consist of majority-and minority-serving institutions, including community colleges. Consortia of LSAMP-funded community colleges with demonstrated evidence of successful transfer of students to four-year STEM degree programs are encouraged to apply for LSCRC funding.

Similarities in the LSAMP Hub and LSCRC funding opportunities

The activities in the new LSAMP Hub and the new LSCRCs will complement the longstanding work of the alliances and expand on the work of the current LSRCEs.

In both the LSAMP Hub and the LSCRCs, stakeholders should play an important role in project leadership teams. Both the LSAMP Hub and the LSCRCs should reach out to and work closely with the LSAMP grantee community which includes: STEM Pathways Implementation-Only Alliances, STEM Pathways Research Alliances, Bridge to the Doctorate, Bridge to the Baccalaureate Alliances, LSRCEs, and other STEM education projects.

Competitive proposals for both the LSAMP Hub and the LSCRCs will address the following:

  • deep knowledge of and experience with the LSAMP community as well as the ability to reach out to and connect with LSAMP grantees;
  • proposed activities to achieve project goals supported by a logic model and measurable objectives;
  • qualifications of the leadership team for the proposed work;
  • the rationale for how the participating organizations is prepared and suited for the proposed work;
  • project management based on a plan that includes short- and long-term goals, identifies resources and includes goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and anchored in a Timeframe (SMART), that identifies the roles and responsibilities of each of the collaborating organizations and each of the team members, and that addresses effective communication and decision making;
  • formative and summative culturally responsive evaluation, developed and conducted by an external evaluator, and guided by evaluation questions based on a logic model developed for the project by the external evaluator in collaboration with the project team; (Consider consulting the American Evaluation Association website for more information)
  • plans for an External Advisory Board composed of stakeholders with a diversity of expertise relevant to the proposed work and including LSAMP grantee representation; and
  • relevant, current literature related to the evidence-based strategies and other activities in the proposed work.

Proposals for both the LSAMP Hub and the LSCRCs may be submitted by any consortium of organizations. All active alliances are eligible to submit as lead organizations. LSAMP organizations, non-LSAMP organizations and other organizational types with expertise in STEM education research and broadening participation in STEM fields are eligible to submit as lead organizations. Non-LSAMP organizations should have knowledge of and prior engagement with the LSAMP community as evidenced by development of and participation in LSAMP activities over time. Minority-serving institutions (Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving colleges and universities, Tribal colleges and universities) and non-academic organizations are encouraged to submit as lead participants.

Table 1. Summary of the LSAMP Hub and LSCRCs

  LSAMP Hub LSCRCs
Duration Up to 5 years 3-5 years
Maximum Funding Amount Up to $1M/year; $5M/project Up to $700,000/year; $3.5M/project
Funding mechanism Cooperative Agreement Continuing Grants
Who may submit proposals One identified lead, other partners as subawardees Any consortium of collaborators with requisite expertise; may be separately submitted collaborative proposals (up to 5)
Collaborator Yes; partners must be included as subawardees Yes, maximum 5 separately submitted collaborative proposals
Collaboration mechanism As subaward Subawards and/or separately submitted collaborative proposals
Collaborator support Minimum of $100,000/year/sub-award
Limit on Proposals per Organization One only
Limit on Proposals per PI/Co-PI One only
Project Description Page limit 20 15
Student support None permitted Up to 5% of the annual budget for event participation
Evaluation Evaluation and assessment plan; logic model with external evaluator
Overall goals common to both
  1. Increase opportunities in support of developing a diverse STEM workforce;
  2. Increase opportunities that pertain to national priorities and to NSF's high priority research areas;
  3. Support the development and efficacy of LSAMP alliances;
  4. Strengthen connections and provide resources to the LSAMP community; and
  5. Support partnerships among both LSAMP and non-LSAMP institutions and organizations
Goals for each project type
  1. Strengthen networking across the LSAMP grantee community nationally (including website).
  2. Increase dissemination of LSAMP project outcomes including outreach to non-LSAMP orgs/institutes.
  3. Enhance the overall influence & reach of LSAMP activities.
  4. Coordinate with other NSF Centers and the INCLUDES Network.
  5. Work collaboratively with the full LSAMP grantee community, from small projects to LSCRCs.
  1. Serve as facilitators and innovators in broadening participation and STEM education for LSAMP populations.
  2. Advance knowledge for preparing students from LSAMP populations for 21st century careers, with a focus on meeting national priorities, and emerging sciences (e.g. artificial intelligence, data science, climate change, cybersecurity).
  3. Develop partnerships in support of center focus areas with alliance and non-alliance organizations.
Aspects of competitive proposals applicable to both project types
  • demonstration of deep knowledge of and experience with the LSAMP community
  • inclusion of diverse teams of organizations and individuals with complementary areas of expertise with rationale for the team
  • inclusion of a logic model for proposed activities
  • inclusion of a management plan
Aspects of competitive proposals specific to each project type
  • plan to engage the LSAMP community in knowledge production and sharing of best practices, including continuous program improvement, as well as increasing NSF LSAMP visibility and impact throughout the nation; and
  • plan for identifying and forming strategic partnerships within the LSAMP community to support the goals and objectives of LSAMP.
  • use of evidence-based, culturally relevant practices as part of proposed LSCRC activities;
  • implementation of activities around a common theme;
  • engagement of LSAMP stakeholders with the LSCRC; and
  • partnerships in support of LSCRC activities.
Examples of activities for each project type
  • establishment of a mentoring network for new alliances;
  • support for publication development;
  • dissemination of project outcomes from LSAMP activities;
  • support community of alliance and LSCRC evaluators;
  • strategically convene stakeholders; and
  • hold technical assistance workshops.
  • research on high impact educational practices, evidence-based strategies (e.g., active learning, course-based undergraduate research, etc.), and culturally relevant practices;
  • research on student preparation for an emerging science career;
  • development of student and/or faculty STEM mentoring approaches; and
  • development of support for STEM leadership.

III. Award Information

Estimated program budget, number of awards and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.

For the LSAMP Hub

NSF expects to provide up to $1 million in FY2023 to support the first year of a five-year award for an LSAMP Hub, and up to $1 million per year afterward. The award will be made as a Cooperative Agreement, with an initial commitment for five years of support and the possibility of a competitive renewal. Initial support for the Cooperative Agreement will be contingent upon a satisfactory pre-award assessment. Ongoing support for the Cooperative Agreement will be contingent upon satisfactory performance as assessed through reviews of annual progress reports, annual site (or reverse site) visits, and annual reviews of the LSAMP Hub's future plans. The total amount of NSF's investment in the LSAMP Hub will depend upon the needs, plans, and opportunities offered by the LSAMP Hub, as well as the availability of NSF funds.

For LSCRCs

NSF expects to make up to five (5) awards total in FY2023 to support the LSCRCs, contingent on availability of funds and receipt of competitive proposals.

NSF expects to provide up to $3.5 million in 2023 to support the LSCRCs.

IV. Eligibility Information

Who May Submit Proposals:

The categories of proposers eligible to submit proposals to the National Science Foundation are identified in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), Chapter I.E. Unaffiliated individuals are not eligible to submit proposals in response to this solicitation.

Who May Serve as PI:

There are no restrictions or limits.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1

An organization may serve as the lead institution on one (1) LSAMP National Coordination Hub proposal or on one (1) Louis Stokes Community Resource Center proposal.

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: 1

An individual may serve as a PI or Co-PI on one (1) LSAMP National Coordination Hub proposal or one (1) Louis Stokes Community Resource Center proposal. Proposals that exceed the PI or Co-PI limit will be returned without review.

Additional Eligibility Info:

LSAMP Hub proposals involving multiple organizations may only be submitted from a lead organization with other collaborating organizations included as subawardees.

Separately submitted collaborative proposals are accepted for LSCRCs. Up to five (5) partnering organizations may submit proposals as part of a collaborative proposal from multiple organizations.

V. Proposal Preparation And Submission Instructions

A. Proposal Preparation Instructions

Full Proposal Preparation Instructions: Proposers may opt to submit proposals in response to this Program Solicitation via Research.gov or Grants.gov.

  • Full Proposals submitted via Research.gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the general guidelines contained in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). The complete text of the PAPPG is available electronically on the NSF website at: https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg. Paper copies of the PAPPG may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-8134 or by e-mail from nsfpubs@nsf.gov. The Prepare New Proposal setup will prompt you for the program solicitation number.
  • Full proposals submitted via Grants.gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation via Grants.gov should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Applications via Grants.gov. The complete text of the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide is available on the Grants.gov website and on the NSF website at: (https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grantsgovguide). To obtain copies of the Application Guide and Application Forms Package, click on the Apply tab on the Grants.gov site, then click on the Apply Step 1: Download a Grant Application Package and Application Instructions link and enter the funding opportunity number, (the program solicitation number without the NSF prefix) and press the Download Package button. Paper copies of the Grants.gov Application Guide also may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-8134 or by e-mail from nsfpubs@nsf.gov.

In determining which method to utilize in the electronic preparation and submission of the proposal, please note the following:

Collaborative Proposals. All collaborative proposals submitted as separate submissions from multiple organizations must be submitted via Research.gov. PAPPG Chapter II.E.3 provides additional information on collaborative proposals.

See PAPPG Chapter II.D.2 for guidance on the required sections of a full research proposal submitted to NSF. Please note that the proposal preparation instructions provided in this program solicitation may deviate from the PAPPG instructions.

The following instructions supplement guidelines in the PAPPG and NSF Grants.gov Application Guide:

Project Title:

LSAMP Hub: The title of the proposed project should begin with: LSAMP National Coordination Hub: (Name of Hub)

LSCRC: The title of the proposed project should begin with: Louis Stokes Community Resource Center: (Name of LSCRC)

Project Description: For LSAMP Hub proposals only, the Project Description is increased to 20 pages due to the large award size and complexity of the activities, including additional solicitation specific review criteria. The Project Description for LSCRC proposals may not exceed 15 pages. Per guidance in the PAPPG, the Project Description must contain, as a separate section within the narrative, a section labeled "Broader Impacts". The Project Description must also describe "Results from Prior NSF Support" for related projects in which the PI or co-PI have been involved, as outlined in the PAPPG.

Refer to Section II, Program Description, for additional information and guidance.

Budget and Budget Justification. Budgets should be in NSF format and include up to five pages of budget justification. The budget justification should be in narrative form and include detailed explanations for each line item with budget resources listed in the budget. Information about what may or may not be included in the budget or budget justification is outlined in the NSF PAPPG or NSF Grants.gov Application Guide. For proposals with subawards, each subaward must include a separate budget and budget justification of no more than five pages.

LSAMP Hub proposed budgets should include yearly travel to NSF grantee meetings in the Washington, DC metropolitan area (or other designated locality) over the duration of the award.

As the LSAMP Hub is not intended to serve as a resource for additional student support for existing LSAMP alliances, no student support may be included in the budget.

LSCRC proposed budgets should include yearly travel to NSF grantee meetings in the Washington, DC metropolitan area (or other designated locality) over the duration of the award.

Although LSCRC projects are not intended to serve as resources for additional student support for existing LSAMP projects, proposals may request up to 5% of the annual budget for direct student support for student travel and participation at Center activities such as conferences and workshops.

Supplementary Documentation.

Data Management Plan (DMP): All data collected for LSAMP projects must accord with the revised EHR Data Management Guidance, which may be found here: https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/dmpdocs/ehr.pdf. Proposals must include a Supplementary Document of no more than two pages labeled "Data Management Plan." This supplementary document should describe how the proposal will conform to NSF policy on the dissemination and sharing of project results. See Chapter II.C of the PAPPG for full policy implementation. For additional information on the Dissemination and Sharing of Research Results, see: https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/dmp.jsp. DMPs will be reviewed by panelists and program directors and should be written with sufficient clarity and detail to support proposal processing and the merit review process. Generic DMPs should be avoided. Each DMP should describe the data, metadata, samples, software, curricula, documentation, publications, and other materials generated during the proposed research. DMPs should reflect the best practices and standards for the proposed research and types of data being generated, whether experimental, computational, text-based, media or physical materials. LSAMP expects its awardees to describe how data and related materials are generated to allow others to reproduce the research study. Further the DMP should support the sharing of data, products, and methods in such a way that others can understand, validate, and replicate findings.

Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan: Each proposal that requests funding to support postdoctoral researchers must upload under "Mentoring Plan" in the supplementary documentation section, a description of the mentoring activities that will be provided for such individuals. Mentoring activities provided to postdoctoral researchers supported on the project will be evaluated under the Broader Impacts review criterion. For additional information regarding postdoctoral researcher mentoring plans, see Chapter II.C of the PAPPG.

Letters of Collaboration: Letters of Collaboration from project partners should be included. A description of Letters of Collaboration, and suggested text is included in the PAPPG. Letters of support from persons endorsing the project but not making a substantial commitment to the project are not allowed.

Letters of Commitment: Letters of Commitment from the leadership of all partnering organizations indicating high-level support and commitment to the NSF LSAMP Coordination Hub efforts should be included as supplementary documents.

Project Personnel: In addition to guidance provided in the PAPPG on required Special Information and Supplementary Documents, please provide a list of all project personnel in the Supplementary Document section. Provide current, accurate information for all personnel and organizations involved in the project. NSF staff will use this information in the merit review process to manage reviewer selection. The list must include all PIs, co-PIs, Senior Personnel, paid/unpaid Consultants or Collaborators, Subawardees, Postdocs, project-level advisory committee members, and writers of letters of collaboration. This list should be numbered and include (in this order) Full name, Organization(s), and Role in the project, with each item separated by a semi-colon. Each person listed should start a new numbered line. For example:

  1. Ebony Johnson-Smith; XYZ University; PI
  2. John Garcia; University of PQR; Senior Personnel
  3. Jane Brown; XYZ University; Postdoc
  4. Jamal Green; ABC Inc.; Paid Consultant
  5. Monica Chen; Welldone Research Organization; Subawardee

LSAMP Hub and LSCRC Organizations: A separate list of all institutions and organizations with which project personnel are affiliated. Outline the roles and functions addressed by each organization.

Appendix: Not permitted. Proposals submitted with an Appendix will be returned without review.

B. Budgetary Information

Cost Sharing:

Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.

C. Due Dates

  • Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter's local time):

         January 09, 2023

    Louis Stokes Community Resource Centers

         January 09, 2023

    LSAMP National Coordination Hub

         June 01, 2023

    Louis Stokes Community Resource Centers

D. Research.gov/Grants.gov Requirements

For Proposals Submitted Via Research.gov:

To prepare and submit a proposal via Research.gov, see detailed technical instructions available at: https://www.research.gov/research-portal/appmanager/base/desktop?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=research_node_display&_nodePath=/researchGov/Service/Desktop/ProposalPreparationandSubmission.html. For Research.gov user support, call the Research.gov Help Desk at 1-800-673-6188 or e-mail rgov@nsf.gov. The Research.gov Help Desk answers general technical questions related to the use of the Research.gov system. Specific questions related to this program solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this funding opportunity.

For Proposals Submitted Via Grants.gov:

Before using Grants.gov for the first time, each organization must register to create an institutional profile. Once registered, the applicant's organization can then apply for any federal grant on the Grants.gov website. Comprehensive information about using Grants.gov is available on the Grants.gov Applicant Resources webpage: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html. In addition, the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide (see link in Section V.A) provides instructions regarding the technical preparation of proposals via Grants.gov. For Grants.gov user support, contact the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 or by email: support@grants.gov. The Grants.gov Contact Center answers general technical questions related to the use of Grants.gov. Specific questions related to this program solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this solicitation.

Submitting the Proposal: Once all documents have been completed, the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) must submit the application to Grants.gov and verify the desired funding opportunity and agency to which the application is submitted. The AOR must then sign and submit the application to Grants.gov. The completed application will be transferred to Research.gov for further processing.

Proposers that submitted via Research.gov may use Research.gov to verify the status of their submission to NSF. For proposers that submitted via Grants.gov, until an application has been received and validated by NSF, the Authorized Organizational Representative may check the status of an application on Grants.gov. After proposers have received an e-mail notification from NSF, Research.gov should be used to check the status of an application.

VI. NSF Proposal Processing And Review Procedures

Proposals received by NSF are assigned to the appropriate NSF program for acknowledgement and, if they meet NSF requirements, for review. All proposals are carefully reviewed by a scientist, engineer, or educator serving as an NSF Program Officer, and usually by three to ten other persons outside NSF either as ad hoc reviewers, panelists, or both, who are experts in the particular fields represented by the proposal. These reviewers are selected by Program Officers charged with oversight of the review process. Proposers are invited to suggest names of persons they believe are especially well qualified to review the proposal and/or persons they would prefer not review the proposal. These suggestions may serve as one source in the reviewer selection process at the Program Officer's discretion. Submission of such names, however, is optional. Care is taken to ensure that reviewers have no conflicts of interest with the proposal. In addition, Program Officers may obtain comments from site visits before recommending final action on proposals. Senior NSF staff further review recommendations for awards. A flowchart that depicts the entire NSF proposal and award process (and associated timeline) is included in PAPPG Exhibit III-1.

A comprehensive description of the Foundation's merit review process is available on the NSF website at: https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/merit_review/.

Proposers should also be aware of core strategies that are essential to the fulfillment of NSF's mission, as articulated in Leading the World in Discovery and Innovation, STEM Talent Development and the Delivery of Benefits from Research - NSF Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY) 2022 - 2026. These strategies are integrated in the program planning and implementation process, of which proposal review is one part. NSF's mission is particularly well-implemented through the integration of research and education and broadening participation in NSF programs, projects, and activities.

One of the strategic objectives in support of NSF's mission is to foster integration of research and education through the programs, projects, and activities it supports at academic and research institutions. These institutions must recruit, train, and prepare a diverse STEM workforce to advance the frontiers of science and participate in the U.S. technology-based economy. NSF's contribution to the national innovation ecosystem is to provide cutting-edge research under the guidance of the Nation's most creative scientists and engineers. NSF also supports development of a strong science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce by investing in building the knowledge that informs improvements in STEM teaching and learning.

NSF's mission calls for the broadening of opportunities and expanding participation of groups, institutions, and geographic regions that are underrepresented in STEM disciplines, which is essential to the health and vitality of science and engineering. NSF is committed to this principle of diversity and deems it central to the programs, projects, and activities it considers and supports.

A. Merit Review Principles and Criteria

The National Science Foundation strives to invest in a robust and diverse portfolio of projects that creates new knowledge and enables breakthroughs in understanding across all areas of science and engineering research and education. To identify which projects to support, NSF relies on a merit review process that incorporates consideration of both the technical aspects of a proposed project and its potential to contribute more broadly to advancing NSF's mission "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense; and for other purposes." NSF makes every effort to conduct a fair, competitive, transparent merit review process for the selection of projects.

1. Merit Review Principles

These principles are to be given due diligence by PIs and organizations when preparing proposals and managing projects, by reviewers when reading and evaluating proposals, and by NSF program staff when determining whether or not to recommend proposals for funding and while overseeing awards. Given that NSF is the primary federal agency charged with nurturing and supporting excellence in basic research and education, the following three principles apply:

  • All NSF projects should be of the highest quality and have the potential to advance, if not transform, the frontiers of knowledge.
  • NSF projects, in the aggregate, should contribute more broadly to achieving societal goals. These "Broader Impacts" may be accomplished through the research itself, through activities that are directly related to specific research projects, or through activities that are supported by, but are complementary to, the project. The project activities may be based on previously established and/or innovative methods and approaches, but in either case must be well justified.
  • Meaningful assessment and evaluation of NSF funded projects should be based on appropriate metrics, keeping in mind the likely correlation between the effect of broader impacts and the resources provided to implement projects. If the size of the activity is limited, evaluation of that activity in isolation is not likely to be meaningful. Thus, assessing the effectiveness of these activities may best be done at a higher, more aggregated, level than the individual project.

With respect to the third principle, even if assessment of Broader Impacts outcomes for particular projects is done at an aggregated level, PIs are expected to be accountable for carrying out the activities described in the funded project. Thus, individual projects should include clearly stated goals, specific descriptions of the activities that the PI intends to do, and a plan in place to document the outputs of those activities.

These three merit review principles provide the basis for the merit review criteria, as well as a context within which the users of the criteria can better understand their intent.

2. Merit Review Criteria

All NSF proposals are evaluated through use of the two National Science Board approved merit review criteria. In some instances, however, NSF will employ additional criteria as required to highlight the specific objectives of certain programs and activities.

The two merit review criteria are listed below. Both criteria are to be given full consideration during the review and decision-making processes; each criterion is necessary but neither, by itself, is sufficient. Therefore, proposers must fully address both criteria. (PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.d(i). contains additional information for use by proposers in development of the Project Description section of the proposal). Reviewers are strongly encouraged to review the criteria, including PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.d(i), prior to the review of a proposal.

When evaluating NSF proposals, reviewers will be asked to consider what the proposers want to do, why they want to do it, how they plan to do it, how they will know if they succeed, and what benefits could accrue if the project is successful. These issues apply both to the technical aspects of the proposal and the way in which the project may make broader contributions. To that end, reviewers will be asked to evaluate all proposals against two criteria:

  • Intellectual Merit: The Intellectual Merit criterion encompasses the potential to advance knowledge; and
  • Broader Impacts: The Broader Impacts criterion encompasses the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes.

The following elements should be considered in the review for both criteria:

  1. What is the potential for the proposed activity to
    1. Advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields (Intellectual Merit); and
    2. Benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader Impacts)?
  2. To what extent do the proposed activities suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?
  3. Is the plan for carrying out the proposed activities well-reasoned, well-organized, and based on a sound rationale? Does the plan incorporate a mechanism to assess success?
  4. How well qualified is the individual, team, or organization to conduct the proposed activities?
  5. Are there adequate resources available to the PI (either at the home organization or through collaborations) to carry out the proposed activities?

Broader impacts may be accomplished through the research itself, through the activities that are directly related to specific research projects, or through activities that are supported by, but are complementary to, the project. NSF values the advancement of scientific knowledge and activities that contribute to achievement of societally relevant outcomes. Such outcomes include, but are not limited to: full participation of women, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); improved STEM education and educator development at any level; increased public scientific literacy and public engagement with science and technology; improved well-being of individuals in society; development of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce; increased partnerships between academia, industry, and others; improved national security; increased economic competitiveness of the United States; and enhanced infrastructure for research and education.

Proposers are reminded that reviewers will also be asked to review the Data Management Plan and the Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan, as appropriate.

Additional Solicitation Specific Review Criteria

In addition to the NSF Merit Review Criteria, for both the LSAMP Hub and the LSCRCs, reviewers will be asked to consider the following:

  1. Demonstration of deep knowledge of and experience with the LSAMP community as well as the ability to reach out to and connect with LSAMP grantees.
  2. A clear rationale for how the participating organizations is prepared and suited for the work proposed.
  3. A comprehensive Management Plan that
    1. includes goals and objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and anchored within a timeframe (SMART);
    2. identifies the roles and responsibilities of each of the collaborating organizations and each of the team members; and
    3. addresses effective communication and decision making.
  4. A formative and summative evaluation plan, and identification of an external evaluator.
  5. An External Advisory Board comprised of diverse stakeholders with relevant expertise.

Reviewers for the LSAMP Hub will be asked to consider the following specifically:

  1. Articulation of a plan to engage the LSAMP community in knowledge production and sharing of best practices, including continuous program improvement, as well as increasing NSF LSAMP visibility and impact throughout the nation.
  2. A plan for identifying and forming strategic partnerships within the LSAMP community to support the goals and objectives of LSAMP.

Reviewers for LSCRCs will be asked to consider the following specifically:

  1. The appropriateness and potential effectiveness of the evidence-based, culturally relevant practices as part of proposed activities.
  2. Implementation plan for a set of activities around a common theme.
  3. Identification of the LSAMP stakeholders that will be working with the LSCRC team.
  4. Identification of partnerships in support of LSCRC activities.

B. Review and Selection Process

Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation will be reviewed by Panel Review.

Reviewers will be asked to evaluate proposals using two National Science Board approved merit review criteria and, if applicable, additional program specific criteria. A summary rating and accompanying narrative will generally be completed and submitted by each reviewer and/or panel. The Program Officer assigned to manage the proposal's review will consider the advice of reviewers and will formulate a recommendation.

After scientific, technical and programmatic review and consideration of appropriate factors, the NSF Program Officer recommends to the cognizant Division Director whether the proposal should be declined or recommended for award. NSF strives to be able to tell applicants whether their proposals have been declined or recommended for funding within six months. Large or particularly complex proposals or proposals from new awardees may require additional review and processing time. The time interval begins on the deadline or target date, or receipt date, whichever is later. The interval ends when the Division Director acts upon the Program Officer's recommendation.

After programmatic approval has been obtained, the proposals recommended for funding will be forwarded to the Division of Grants and Agreements or the Division of Acquisition and Cooperative Support for review of business, financial, and policy implications. After an administrative review has occurred, Grants and Agreements Officers perform the processing and issuance of a grant or other agreement. Proposers are cautioned that only a Grants and Agreements Officer may make commitments, obligations or awards on behalf of NSF or authorize the expenditure of funds. No commitment on the part of NSF should be inferred from technical or budgetary discussions with a NSF Program Officer. A Principal Investigator or organization that makes financial or personnel commitments in the absence of a grant or cooperative agreement signed by the NSF Grants and Agreements Officer does so at their own risk.

Once an award or declination decision has been made, Principal Investigators are provided feedback about their proposals. In all cases, reviews are treated as confidential documents. Verbatim copies of reviews, excluding the names of the reviewers or any reviewer-identifying information, are sent to the Principal Investigator/Project Director by the Program Officer. In addition, the proposer will receive an explanation of the decision to award or decline funding.

VII. Award Administration Information

A. Notification of the Award

Notification of the award is made to the submitting organization by an NSF Grants and Agreements Officer. Organizations whose proposals are declined will be advised as promptly as possible by the cognizant NSF Program administering the program. Verbatim copies of reviews, not including the identity of the reviewer, will be provided automatically to the Principal Investigator. (See Section VI.B. for additional information on the review process.)

B. Award Conditions

An NSF award consists of: (1) the award notice, which includes any special provisions applicable to the award and any numbered amendments thereto; (2) the budget, which indicates the amounts, by categories of expense, on which NSF has based its support (or otherwise communicates any specific approvals or disapprovals of proposed expenditures); (3) the proposal referenced in the award notice; (4) the applicable award conditions, such as Grant General Conditions (GC-1)*; or Research Terms and Conditions* and (5) any announcement or other NSF issuance that may be incorporated by reference in the award notice. Cooperative agreements also are administered in accordance with NSF Cooperative Agreement Financial and Administrative Terms and Conditions (CA-FATC) and the applicable Programmatic Terms and Conditions. NSF awards are electronically signed by an NSF Grants and Agreements Officer and transmitted electronically to the organization via e-mail.

*These documents may be accessed electronically on NSF's Website at https://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/award_conditions.jsp?org=NSF. Paper copies may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-8134 or by e-mail from nsfpubs@nsf.gov.

More comprehensive information on NSF Award Conditions and other important information on the administration of NSF awards is contained in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) Chapter VII, available electronically on the NSF Website at https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Build America, Buy America

As expressed in Executive Order 14005, Ensuring the Future is Made in All of America by All of America's Workers (86 FR 7475), it is the policy of the executive branch to use terms and conditions of Federal financial assistance awards to maximize, consistent with law, the use of goods, products, and materials produced in, and services offered in, the United States.

Consistent with the requirements of the Build America, Buy America Act (Pub. L. 117-58, Division G, Title IX, Subtitle A, November 15, 2021), no funding made available through this funding opportunity may be obligated for an award unless all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project are produced in the United States. For additional information, visit NSF's Build America, Buy America webpage.

Special Award Conditions:

The LSAMP Hub award will be made in the form of a Cooperative Agreement. The Cooperative Agreement will have an extensive section of Special Conditions relating to the period of performance, detailed work description, awardee responsibilities, NSF responsibilities, joint NSF awardee responsibilities, funding and funding schedule, reporting and evaluation requirements, key personnel, and other conditions. NSF will provide general oversight and monitoring of the LSAMP Hub to help assure effective performance and administration, as well as facilitating any coordination necessary to further the objectives of the LSAMP program. Within the first 60 days of the award, the lead organization of the partnership should submit a strategic plan for the LSAMP Hub for confirmation by NSF.

Any cooperative agreement awarded in response to this solicitation will contain the following term and condition:

Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols

(a) This clause implements Section 3(b) of Executive Order 14042, "Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors", dated September 9, 2021 (published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2021, 86 FR 50985). Note that the Department of Labor has included "cooperative agreements" within the definition of "contract-like instrument" in its rule referenced at Section 2(e) of this Executive Order, which provides:

For purposes of this order, the term "contract or contract-like instrument" shall have the meaning set forth in the Department of Labor's proposed rule, "Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors, " 86 Fed. Reg. 38816, 38887 (July 22, 2021). If the Department of Labor issues a final rule relating to that proposed rule, that term shall have the meaning set forth in that final rule.

(b) The awardee must comply with all guidance, including guidance conveyed through Frequently Asked Questions, as amended during the performance of this award, for awardee workplace locations published by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (Task Force Guidance) at https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

(c) Subawards. The awardee must include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in subawards at any tier that exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation 2.101 on the date of subaward, and are for services, including construction, performed in whole or in part within the United States or its outlying areas. That threshold is presently $250,000.

(d) Definition. As used in this clause -

United States or its outlying areas means -

(1) The fifty States;

(2) The District of Columbia;

(3) The commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands;

(4) The territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands; and

(5) The minor outlying islands of Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Palmyra Atoll, and Wake Atoll.

(e) The Foundation will take no action to enforce this article, where the place of performance identified in the award is in a U.S. state or outlying area subject to a court order prohibiting the application of requirements pursuant to the Executive Order (hereinafter, "Excluded State or Outlying Area". A current list of such Excluded States and Outlying Areas is maintained at https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

C. Reporting Requirements

For all multi-year grants (including both standard and continuing grants), the Principal Investigator must submit an annual project report to the cognizant Program Officer no later than 90 days prior to the end of the current budget period. (Some programs or awards require submission of more frequent project reports). No later than 120 days following expiration of a grant, the PI also is required to submit a final project report, and a project outcomes report for the general public.

Failure to provide the required annual or final project reports, or the project outcomes report, will delay NSF review and processing of any future funding increments as well as any pending proposals for all identified PIs and co-PIs on a given award. PIs should examine the formats of the required reports in advance to assure availability of required data.

PIs are required to use NSF's electronic project-reporting system, available through Research.gov, for preparation and submission of annual and final project reports. Such reports provide information on accomplishments, project participants (individual and organizational), publications, and other specific products and impacts of the project. Submission of the report via Research.gov constitutes certification by the PI that the contents of the report are accurate and complete. The project outcomes report also must be prepared and submitted using Research.gov. This report serves as a brief summary, prepared specifically for the public, of the nature and outcomes of the project. This report will be posted on the NSF website exactly as it is submitted by the PI.

More comprehensive information on NSF Reporting Requirements and other important information on the administration of NSF awards is contained in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) Chapter VII, available electronically on the NSF Website at https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg.

VIII. Agency Contacts

Please note that the program contact information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of contact.

General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:

  • LSAMP Program Team, telephone: (703) 292-8640, email: LSAMP_national@nsf.gov
  • Martha James, Lead Program Director, telephone: (703) 292-7772, email: mjames@nsf.gov
  • LeRoy Jones, Program Director, telephone: (703) 292-4684, email: ljones@nsf.gov
  • Sonja Montas-Hunter, Program Director, telephone: (703) 292-7404, email: smontash@nsf.gov
  • Sandra Romano, Program Director, telephone: (703) 292-5064, email: sromano@nsf.gov
  • Cynthia R. Douglas, Program Specialist, telephone: (703) 292-5175, email: cdouglas@nsf.gov

For questions related to the use of NSF systems contact:

  • NSF Help Desk: 1-800-673-6188
  • Research.gov Help Desk e-mail: rgov@nsf.gov

For questions relating to Grants.gov contact:

  • Grants.gov Contact Center: If the Authorized Organizational Representatives (AOR) has not received a confirmation message from Grants.gov within 48 hours of submission of application, please contact via telephone: 1-800-518-4726; e-mail: support@grants.gov.

IX. Other Information

The NSF website provides the most comprehensive source of information on NSF Directorates (including contact information), programs and funding opportunities. Use of this website by potential proposers is strongly encouraged. In addition, "NSF Update" is an information-delivery system designed to keep potential proposers and other interested parties apprised of new NSF funding opportunities and publications, important changes in proposal and award policies and procedures, and upcoming NSF Grants Conferences. Subscribers are informed through e-mail or the user's Web browser each time new publications are issued that match their identified interests. "NSF Update" also is available on NSF's website.

Grants.gov provides an additional electronic capability to search for Federal government-wide grant opportunities. NSF funding opportunities may be accessed via this mechanism. Further information on Grants.gov may be obtained at https://www.grants.gov.

About The National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent Federal agency created by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 USC 1861-75). The Act states the purpose of the NSF is "to promote the progress of science; [and] to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare by supporting research and education in all fields of science and engineering."

NSF funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. It does this through grants and cooperative agreements to more than 2,000 colleges, universities, K-12 school systems, businesses, informal science organizations and other research organizations throughout the US. The Foundation accounts for about one-fourth of Federal support to academic institutions for basic research.

NSF receives approximately 55,000 proposals each year for research, education and training projects, of which approximately 11,000 are funded. In addition, the Foundation receives several thousand applications for graduate and postdoctoral fellowships. The agency operates no laboratories itself but does support National Research Centers, user facilities, certain oceanographic vessels and Arctic and Antarctic research stations. The Foundation also supports cooperative research between universities and industry, US participation in international scientific and engineering efforts, and educational activities at every academic level.

Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities to work on NSF-supported projects. See the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide Chapter II.F.7 for instructions regarding preparation of these types of proposals.

The National Science Foundation has Telephonic Device for the Deaf (TDD) and Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) capabilities that enable individuals with hearing impairments to communicate with the Foundation about NSF programs, employment or general information. TDD may be accessed at (703) 292-5090 and (800) 281-8749, FIRS at (800) 877-8339.

The National Science Foundation Information Center may be reached at (703) 292-5111.

The National Science Foundation promotes and advances scientific progress in the United States by competitively awarding grants and cooperative agreements for research and education in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering.

To get the latest information about program deadlines, to download copies of NSF publications, and to access abstracts of awards, visit the NSF Website at https://www.nsf.gov

  • Location:

2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314
  • For General Information
    (NSF Information Center):

(703) 292-5111
  • TDD (for the hearing-impaired):

(703) 292-5090
  • To Order Publications or Forms:
  

Send an e-mail to:

nsfpubs@nsf.gov

or telephone:

(703) 292-8134
  • To Locate NSF Employees:

(703) 292-5111

Privacy Act And Public Burden Statements

The information requested on proposal forms and project reports is solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. The information on proposal forms will be used in connection with the selection of qualified proposals; and project reports submitted by awardees will be used for program evaluation and reporting within the Executive Branch and to Congress. The information requested may be disclosed to qualified reviewers and staff assistants as part of the proposal review process; to proposer institutions/grantees to provide or obtain data regarding the proposal review process, award decisions, or the administration of awards; to government contractors, experts, volunteers and researchers and educators as necessary to complete assigned work; to other government agencies or other entities needing information regarding applicants or nominees as part of a joint application review process, or in order to coordinate programs or policy; and to another Federal agency, court, or party in a court or Federal administrative proceeding if the government is a party. Information about Principal Investigators may be added to the Reviewer file and used to select potential candidates to serve as peer reviewers or advisory committee members. See System of Record Notices, NSF-50, "Principal Investigator/Proposal File and Associated Records," and NSF-51, "Reviewer/Proposal File and Associated Records." Submission of the information is voluntary. Failure to provide full and complete information, however, may reduce the possibility of receiving an award.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The OMB control number for this collection is 3145-0058. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 120 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions. Send comments regarding the burden estimate and any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:

Suzanne H. Plimpton
Reports Clearance Officer
Policy Office, Division of Institution and Award Support
Office of Budget, Finance, and Award Management
National Science Foundation
Alexandria, VA 22314

 

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