The ADVANCE: Organizational Change for Gender Equity in STEM Academic Professions program by the National Science Foundation (NSF) supports initiatives to improve gender equity in academic STEM careers through systemic change. With an emphasis on intersectional approaches, the program seeks to foster institutional policies and practices that promote inclusion across gender, racial, and ethnic lines. ADVANCE focuses on making workplaces more equitable for faculty in STEM fields by addressing barriers such as implicit bias, uneven workloads, and inequities in hiring and promotion practices. The program is intended for institutions of higher education (IHEs) and certain non-academic organizations.

This solicitation offers four tracks to fit different institutional needs and goals: Institutional Transformation, Adaptation, Partnership, and Catalyst. Each track varies in scope, funding amount, and project length. The Institutional Transformation track provides up to $3 million for five years to develop and implement novel systemic strategies that can serve as models for other institutions. Adaptation awards, up to $1 million over three years, aim to replicate proven systemic strategies within a single institution or a regional STEM context. Partnership projects, also funded up to $1 million, focus on collaborative, multi-institution efforts to scale systemic strategies, with the potential to request an additional $250,000 for partnerships with other NSF-funded projects. Catalyst grants, capped at $300,000 over two years, are designed for institutions that have not previously led ADVANCE projects. These projects focus on gathering data and conducting institutional self-assessments to identify gender equity challenges and develop a long-term equity plan.

Eligibility extends to U.S.-based nonprofit two- and four-year IHEs and non-academic organizations like museums, research labs, and professional societies. However, there are limitations based on previous ADVANCE funding status. For instance, institutions that previously received Institutional Transformation or Adaptation awards cannot apply for the same track again. Proposals must demonstrate an institutional commitment to equity, include intersectional strategies, and involve a mix of expertise from administrators, STEM faculty, and social science researchers.

Applicants for the Adaptation and Partnership tracks are required to submit a letter of intent before applying. For Institutional Transformation projects, a preliminary proposal is necessary, and only those institutions receiving encouragement from the NSF may proceed to submit a full proposal. The full proposal deadlines occur annually on specific dates, such as the first Wednesday of November for Adaptation and Partnership projects and flexible deadlines for Catalyst and Institutional Transformation projects.

Proposals will be evaluated based on NSF’s standard merit review criteria: intellectual merit and broader impacts, as well as the project’s capacity to address systemic inequities through intersectional methods. Strong applications will integrate data-driven approaches and propose sustainable changes that align with institutional goals. Collaboration with existing NSF-funded projects can further enhance an application’s competitiveness.

Funding for this program is expected to total up to $29 million over two fiscal years, with up to 18-36 awards distributed across the tracks. Successful applicants must adhere to reporting requirements, including annual progress updates through NSF’s online systems. For Institutional Transformation projects, additional site visits and mid-year reports are required to monitor progress and sustainability.

This funding opportunity aims to drive meaningful change in STEM academia, ensuring that equity strategies become embedded in institutional practices. Interested applicants should begin the proposal preparation process well before submission deadlines, consulting with NSF program officers if necessary. Applications must be submitted electronically via Research.gov or Grants.gov, and early coordination with institutional leadership is recommended to ensure alignment with long-term equity goals.