Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology - Research Infrastructure for Science and Engineering

The Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology - Research Infrastructure for Science and Engineering (CREST-RISE) is a funding opportunity provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through its Directorate for STEM Education. This initiative is aimed at enhancing the research capabilities and doctoral production at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) that are classified as Emerging Research Institutions (ERIs) and that offer master’s or research doctoral degrees in STEM disciplines supported by NSF. The program targets the increase of research capacity and graduation of underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. CREST-RISE includes three programmatic tracks: the STEM Doctoral Programs Support Initiative (DPSI), Research Advancement and Development (RAD), and Equipment & Instrumentation (E&I). DPSI aims to support the creation or enhancement of STEM doctoral programs at eligible MSIs, while RAD is focused on aiding junior faculty in developing research agendas and mentoring doctoral students. The E&I component provides funding for equipment and instrumentation to strengthen doctoral training and infrastructure. Eligible institutions must enroll at least 50% U.S. resident students from minority groups underrepresented in STEM and must report less than $50 million in annual research expenditures in at least three of the past five years. The PI for DPSI must be a full-time faculty member in a STEM discipline. RAD applicants must also be early-career faculty within ten years of earning their doctorate, and E&I PIs must be mentoring doctoral students supported by a DPSI award. Institutions are restricted to specific proposal limits per track, and prior recipients must comply with detailed reapplication criteria. Applications must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov in accordance with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide. Proposals must include detailed project summaries, management plans, broader impacts, evaluation strategies, and letters of support. Special requirements include adherence to the Build America, Buy America Act, and all projects must be aligned with institutional strategic goals and demonstrate potential for long-term sustainability. The next deadline for applications is August 2, 2024, with this cycle recurring annually on the first Friday of August. Total anticipated funding is $6 million, distributed among 2 to 9 expected awards, with track-specific caps of $2 million for DPSI (over five years), $1 million for RAD (over five years), and $500,000 for E&I (one year). Additional reporting, ethics training, and student mentoring requirements are built into award conditions. NSF contacts include Luis A. Cubano (lcubano@nsf.gov) and Nicole E. Gass (ngass@nsf.gov).