The National Science Foundation (NSF) offers funding through the “Facilitating Research at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions” program, which encompasses the Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) and Research Opportunity Awards (ROA) mechanisms. These initiatives aim to bolster research by faculty at predominantly undergraduate institutions (PUIs). The RUI component supports faculty research that enhances scholarly engagement, builds institutional research capacity, and integrates research with undergraduate education. The ROA mechanism typically facilitates collaborative research experiences for PUI faculty at research-intensive institutions, often as visiting scientists.

The RUI opportunity seeks to reinforce faculty research and foster stronger research environments within teaching-focused departments. Eligible institutions include accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities that grant associate, bachelor’s, and/or master’s degrees in NSF-supported fields, but have awarded 20 or fewer Ph.D./D.Sci. degrees in such fields during the past two academic years. RUI proposals may involve individual or collaborative faculty research projects and can include instrumentation requests. ROAs, on the other hand, are commonly used to provide short-term research opportunities away from the PUI, supporting either summer engagements or partial sabbaticals.

Funding for RUI and ROA proposals is integrated into the budgets of NSF research and education programs and is not separately allocated. Approximately 200 RUI and 45 ROA awards are made each year, with a total program funding of around $56 million. RUI proposals may request support for salaries, materials, travel, student assistance, and limited equipment, with awards often ranging from $75,000 to several hundred thousand dollars over three years. ROA awards typically cover up to $80,000 for durations of 2 to 12 months and may be submitted as supplements, budget reallocations, or collaborative proposals.

Applicants must prepare a full proposal through either Research.gov or Grants.gov. RUI proposals must include a Certification of RUI/ROA Eligibility and a RUI Impact Statement as supplementary documents. ROA requests follow similar proposal preparation procedures but do not require the RUI Impact Statement. Proposals are accepted at any time, subject to the submission deadlines and requirements of the disciplinary NSF program they are submitted to. Prior consultation with a cognizant NSF program officer is strongly recommended.

Evaluation of proposals is based on NSF’s standard merit review criteria: intellectual merit and broader impacts. Reviewers also consider the unique context of PUIs, including limited resources and student involvement. Proposals are expected to detail how they will enhance faculty research, improve student outcomes, and contribute to the institution’s educational mission.