Welcome

See winners page for full list of winners/honorable mentions and winners showcase details

Covid-19 Challenge

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) announced the winners of the Taking Action: COVID-19 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Challenge.

The four first place winners include Laredo Community College, TX, Fort Lewis College, CO, University of Missouri, MO, and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, IN. The full list of winners and honorable mentions can be found on the winners page. NSF distributed a total of $200,000 in cash prizes.

An NSF-hosted showcase of the winning interventions will take place in July 2022 see winners page for dates and details on how to access the event. Following the showcase, an open access repository of winning entries and honorable mentions will be shared broadly for the benefit of all institutions facing similar challenges.

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking submissions in a 3-page narrative format describing the evidence-based steps that Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) have taken, or will take, to mitigate the long-term negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diversity, equity, and inclusion of undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty in STEM higher education programs and institutions. Because the issues vary depending on the impacted STEM population, the challenge is divided into four categories: 1) STEM undergraduates at community and technical colleges; 2) STEM undergraduates at four-year institutions; 3) STEM graduate students and postdoctoral researchers; and 4) STEM faculty. The goals of this competition is to identify actions that IHEs can take to ensure DEI in STEM despite the long-term challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and to share these strategies broadly, including via social media and other means, thereby highlighting the importance of these actions, and providing information for others to implement these actions if applicable to their institutional context.

All eligible IHEs are encouraged and invited to submit descriptions of institutional actions that have been implemented, or will be implemented, such as new and revised policies, procedures, and practices to ensure continued progress toward more diverse, equitable, and inclusive STEM higher education programs and institutions. Submissions from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and community and technical colleges are particularly encouraged in all challenge categories for which they are eligible. The challenge first-, second-, and third-place winners will be invited to present their ideas at an NSF-hosted virtual event that will be open to the public, recorded, and made available to the public. For more details, please read the Participant's Guide in its entirety.

Submission Deadline Extended to January 30, 2022

CHALLENGE PRIZE INFORMATION

$200,000 in total cash prizes will be awarded to winning IHEs. Each of the four categories will have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place cash-prize winner and up to 10 honorable mention designees (see table).

Prize Breakdown:

*Winners*	*STEM Undergraduate -* *Two-Year IHEs*	*STEM Undergraduate - Four-Year IHEs*	*STEM Graduate and Postdoctoral*	*STEM Faculty*
First Place	$25,000	$25,000	$25,000	$25,000
Second Place	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000
Third Place	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000
Honorable mention	Up to 10 (no cash award)	Up to 10 (no cash award)	Up to 10 (no cash award)	Up to 10 (no cash award)

*IHEs do not need to have a grant from NSF to submit to this challenge.

Why Enter?

To widely share your IHE’s brilliant plans to mitigate the long-term impacts of the pandemic on DEI in STEM at your institution.
For the opportunity to have your idea included in the Taking Action: COVID-19 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Challenge winning ideas repository that will be archived and shared broadly.
For national recognition of your ideas to address COVID-19 long-term impacts on diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM.
For the potential of your idea to be widely adopted and implemented by other IHEs increasing the impact of your solutions.
For an opportunity to win one of the 3-cash prizes for your institution or to be among those receiving honorable mentions for their ideas.
For an opportunity to present your idea at an NSF organized event and be recognized for your positive contribution to DEI work in STEM to the STEM education and research communities.

Sponsoring Programs: