The Build and Broaden (B2) program, offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), seeks to support fundamental research and enhance research capacity at Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). The initiative is specifically designed to increase participation in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic (SBE) sciences by providing funding opportunities that encourage research collaborations among MSIs and scholars from other institutions. The program addresses disparities in NSF grant submissions from MSIs and aims to build a more inclusive and diverse research community. By broadening participation, the initiative contributes to developing the next generation of science and technology leaders while strengthening research networks in underrepresented communities.

The purpose of the B2 program is to diversify the STEM workforce by expanding research opportunities for faculty and students at MSIs. The program recognizes that MSIs play a critical role in training future science leaders and aims to increase grant submissions from these institutions to NSF's SBE Directorate. Proposals submitted under this program should focus on building research capacity, increasing the pursuit of graduate training, enhancing principal investigator (PI) productivity, and fostering collaborative partnerships. Eligible research areas include anthropology, archaeology, cognitive neuroscience, economics, decision science, geography, linguistics, political science, psychology, sociology, law and science, and public policy.

Funding under this program is available for projects led by PIs based at MSIs, as well as those led by non-MSI-affiliated PIs, provided that they collaborate with MSIs and dedicate at least 50% of the total direct costs to the MSI partner. Awards are available as either Standard Grants or Continuing Grants, with a total program budget of $8 million. The NSF anticipates making 25 to 30 awards based on proposal quality and funding availability. The funding supports a variety of project types, including research proposals, conference proposals, Early-Concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER), and Research Coordination Networks (RCN) proposals.

Eligible applicants include accredited two- and four-year institutions of higher education, non-profit non-academic organizations engaged in research and education, and federally recognized tribal nations. The lead institution can be an MSI or a non-MSI, though preference is given to institutions with fewer NSF awards. The program is open to full-time scientists, educators, and researchers, with a restriction allowing only one proposal per PI or co-PI per year. There is no limit on the number of proposals per organization.

Applications must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov and must adhere to the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Letters of intent and preliminary proposals are not required. Full proposals must include a clear research plan, a statement on broader impacts, and an explanation of how the project will enhance research collaboration and capacity-building at MSIs. No voluntary cost sharing is allowed. The proposal review process follows NSF's merit review criteria, evaluating intellectual merit and broader societal impacts.

The next proposal deadline is January 23, 2025, followed by January 15, 2026, and annually on the third Thursday in January. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the NSF Broadening Participation in STEM website for additional guidance. For inquiries, the SBE Build and Broaden staff can be contacted at (703) 292-8700 or sbebuildandbroaden@nsf.gov.