OpenFederal grant23-598

Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Excellence in Research (HBCU - EiR)

U.S. National Science FoundationCloses Oct 20, 2026(7 days left)

Does this fit your business?

This NSF program funds research projects at accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities to build lasting research and development capacity, with priority attention to HBCUs that have not succeeded in larger NSF competitions. If you are not an accredited HBCU, do not apply: for-profit businesses, small businesses, sole proprietors, nonprofits, and non-HBCU institutions are all ineligible.

Best for
Accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities, HBCUs with faculty doing research in science, engineering, or STEM education, HBCUs that have not succeeded in larger NSF research competitions, Projects aligned with NSF research programs
Not for
For-profit businesses, including small businesses and sole proprietors, Nonprofits, Colleges and universities that are not accredited HBCUs
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Arts & CultureLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Education & TrainingLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Environment & ConservationLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Finance & BankingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Food & BeverageLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Healthcare & BiotechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
ManufacturingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Technology & SoftwareLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Research, R&D
Who can apply
Colleges and universities

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
October 20, 2026.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
The per-award amount is not published. The program totals $28,000,000 across about 35 expected awards.
Who can apply for this grant?
Only accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities that have faculty members conducting research in science, engineering, or STEM education. The Principal Investigator must be a full-time faculty member or researcher at the applying HBCU.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
No. For-profit businesses, including small businesses, are not eligible to apply.
Can a nonprofit apply?
No. Proposals may only be submitted by accredited HBCUs, so other nonprofits do not qualify.

Summary

Only accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities with faculty conducting research in science, engineering, or STEM education may apply. NSF funds research projects aligned with its research programs to build sustainable research and development capacity at HBCUs, especially those that have not succeeded in larger NSF competitions.

About this grant

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Excellence in Research (HBCU-EiR) program was established in response to direction provided in the Senate Commerce and Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Report (Senate Report 115-139), and is built on prior and continuing efforts by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to strengthen research capacity at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This report provided guidance to NSF to establish the HBCU Excellence in Research program "to provide opportunities for both public and private HBCUs, particularly for those who have not been successful in larger NSF Research & Related Activities competitions, in order to stimulate sustainable improvement in their research and development capacity" ( https://congress.gov/congressional-report/115th-congress/senate-report/139/1 ).

EiR supports such capacity building by funding research projects aligned with NSF's research programs. The program aims to establish stronger connections between researchers at HBCUs and NSF's research programs.

Who can apply

Our reading of the listing: for-profit businesses are not eligible for this one.

Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following:

Proposals may only be submitted by accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that have faculty members who conduct research in science and/or engineering and/or STEM education.

Who May Serve as PI:

The Principal Investigator for an Excellence in Research Project must be a full-time faculty member or researcher at the HBCU from which the proposal is submitted.

 

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Science
  • Education
  • Technology

Set-asides

  • Hbcu

Program contact

U.S. National Science Foundationgrantsgovsupport@nsf.gov703-292-4203

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