The Broadening Participation in Engineering (BPE) program by the National Science Foundation (NSF) aims to foster a diverse and inclusive U.S. engineering workforce. It supports innovative research and collaborations that address systemic barriers, enhance access, and develop equitable engineering practices. The program offers funding across four tracks: Planning and Conference Grants, Research in Broadening Participation in Engineering, Inclusive Mentoring Hubs (IMHubs), and Centers for Equity in Engineering (CEE). Each track has distinct goals and requirements, catering to various stages of readiness and levels of complexity.

Funding is expected to total $13 million, supporting 25 to 40 projects annually. Grants vary by track, with Planning and Conference Grants capped at $100,000, Research Grants averaging $400,000, Inclusive Mentoring Hubs up to $800,000, and Centers for Equity in Engineering up to $1.2 million for Phase I and $4 million for Phase II. Funding spans one to five years depending on the track. Proposals for Tracks 1 and 2 are accepted any time, while Tracks 3 and 4 have annual target dates in November.

Eligible applicants include U.S.-based institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, and local or state government entities. Track 4 proposals require the Principal Investigator to be the Dean of the College of Engineering or equivalent. Proposals should align with NSF’s goals to advance equity, broaden participation, and promote diversity in the engineering enterprise. Proposals must demonstrate measurable outcomes, innovative approaches, and potential for scalability.

Applications must follow NSF’s Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide and may be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov. Required components include a detailed project description, budget justification, and supplementary documents like institutional support letters for specific tracks. The submission process involves electronic validation, and applicants are encouraged to confirm receipt via the relevant submission platform.

Proposals are evaluated on intellectual merit and broader impacts, assessing innovation, societal benefits, feasibility, qualifications of the team, and resource adequacy. Additional criteria include alignment with NSF’s mission and contribution to diversity in STEM. External reviews, panel discussions, and site visits (for Track 4 Phase II) may be part of the evaluation.

Successful applicants will be notified by an NSF Grants and Agreements Officer and must comply with annual and final reporting requirements through Research.gov. Proposals must address sustainability and dissemination plans to ensure lasting impact. Applicants are encouraged to engage in cross-sector collaborations and connect with NSF INCLUDES initiatives to amplify their projects’ reach and effectiveness.