Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI Program)

The Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI Program) seeks to enhance the quality of undergraduate STEM education at HSIs and to increase retention and graduation rates of undergraduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at HSIs. In addition, the HSI Program seeks to build capacity in undergraduate STEM education at HSIs that typically do not receive high levels of NSF grant funding. The National Science Foundation (NSF) established the HSI Program in response to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-31) and the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (P.L. 114-329). The HSI Program is aligned with NSF’s commitment to increase access for underrepresented groups to the Nation’s STEM enterprise.

In designing the HSI Program, NSF sought community input by several mechanisms (https://nsf.gov/ehr/HSIProgramPlan.jsp) and has continued to gather community input to inform future components of, or modifications to, the HSI Program.

To be eligible for HSI Program funding, the institution serving as the awardee organization must, at the time of application, be accredited, offer undergraduate educational programs in STEM, and satisfy the definition of an HSI as specified in section 502 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a). Institutions should review the legislation before certifying their eligibility for this program (http://legcounsel.house.gov/Comps/HEA65_CMD.pdf).

The HSI Program will accept proposals in two tracks:

1. Track 1: Building Capacity funds projects up to $2,500,000 for up to 5 years and is open to all eligible institutions. This track has three priority areas: Critical Transitions; Innovative Cross-Sector Partnerships; and Teaching and Learning in STEM.
2. Track 2: HSIs New to NSF funds projects up to $300,000 for up to 3 years and is open only to eligible institutions that have never received NSF funding, or that have not received NSF funding in the five years preceding the proposal deadline.