The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced a funding opportunity titled "Facilitating Research at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions: Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) and Research Opportunity Awards (ROA)." This program aims to support research by faculty members at predominantly undergraduate institutions (PUIs). It seeks to strengthen the research environment in these institutions, integrate research into undergraduate education, and foster collaboration with other research-intensive organizations. The RUI component supports individual or collaborative research projects at PUIs, while the ROA allows PUI faculty to collaborate as visiting scientists with NSF-funded investigators at other institutions.

Eligible institutions are accredited colleges and universities, including two-year community colleges, that award associate, bachelor's, or master's degrees in NSF-supported fields. These institutions must have awarded 20 or fewer Ph.D. or D.Sci. degrees across NSF-supported fields during the previous two academic years. There are no restrictions on the number of proposals per organization, and proposals can be submitted at any time based on the relevant NSF program's specific guidelines. Prospective principal investigators (PIs) are advised to contact disciplinary program officers to determine the feasibility of their research ideas and the timing of their proposals.

The program anticipates funding approximately 245 awards annually, with around 200 for RUI projects and 45 for ROA initiatives. The overall funding allocation for these awards is estimated at $56 million per year, divided between RUI and ROA activities. RUI awards are typically offered as standard or continuing grants, while ROA awards may be supplements to existing grants or new collaborative proposals. Funding levels vary depending on the type of award, with RUI projects ranging from $75,000 to several hundred thousand dollars, and ROA awards generally up to $80,000.

RUI proposals are intended to build research capacity at PUIs and enhance undergraduate education through faculty-led research projects. The proposals must include a Certification of RUI/ROA Eligibility and an RUI Impact Statement, which details the expected effects of the research on the institution and participants. The ROA component allows PUI faculty to gain research experience by working as visiting scientists, typically during summer sessions, and aims to improve the research and educational capabilities of their home institutions. ROA requests may include supplements to existing NSF awards or rebudgeting existing funds to support collaborative efforts.

To apply, institutions must submit a full proposal through either Research.gov or Grants.gov, in accordance with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). No letters of intent or preliminary proposals are required, but each RUI proposal must include the Certification of RUI/ROA Eligibility and an RUI Impact Statement. The proposals will be evaluated based on NSF's merit review criteria: Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. Reviewers will assess the quality of the proposed research, its potential to advance knowledge, and its broader contributions to societal outcomes, such as increasing diversity in STEM or enhancing research-enriched learning environments.

All proposals must align with NSF's mission to advance scientific progress and ensure diversity in research participation. The program is open to all NSF-supported fields, including engineering, biological sciences, and social, behavioral, and economic sciences. Importantly, RUI proposals are considered alongside non-RUI proposals within the respective NSF programs, with special reviewer guidelines recognizing the unique circumstances of PUI investigators, such as higher teaching loads and limited resources.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to consult with relevant NSF program officers to refine their submissions and ensure compliance with specific program requirements. Additionally, faculty interested in ROA opportunities should collaborate with NSF-funded researchers to develop a joint research plan before submitting requests for funding or supplemental awards. All applications must comply with NSF’s guidelines and conditions for submission, including adherence to the Build America, Buy America Act for the use of U.S.-made materials in funded projects.