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New Administration Process for PAESMEM


January 17, 2020

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) is one of two programs administered under NSF’s Excellence Awards in Science and Engineering (EASE) program.   The other EASE program is the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

The PAESMEM was created in 1995 to identify and recognize individuals and organizations that have contributed outstanding efforts in mentoring, and have enhanced the participation of individuals from historically underrepresented groups and disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds who might not otherwise have considered or have access to opportunities in STEM disciplines and professions. Historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in STEM fields include African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, Native Hawaiians, and Alaska Natives.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) administers the awards program on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). OSTP selects both individuals and organizations to receive the honor. Each Presidential Awardee receives a certificate signed by the President of the United States and a $10,000 award from NSF. Awardees are honored at an award ceremony which takes place in Washington, D.C.

PAESMEM is no longer offered through a NSF issued solicitation requiring a NSF ID and Fastlane proposal submission.  The PAESMEM is now administered as an application activity apart from NSF’s Fastlane business system.  PAESMEM is collaboratively managed by NSF and an outside Contractor.  Please go to https://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/good-bye?https://paesmem.net/ for information on how to apply for this prestigious award.

The PAESMEM activity falls under NSF's core value of inclusiveness – seeking and embracing contributions from all sources, including underrepresented groups, regions, and institutions.   The individuals and organizations that have received this distinguished Presidential recognition serve as exemplars to their colleagues and are leaders in the national effort to develop more fully the nation's human resources in STEM.

Individuals and organizations in all public and private sectors are eligible for PAESMEM awards, including industry, academia, K-12, military and government, non-profit organizations, and foundations.  Exceptional STEM or STEM-related mentoring in both formal and/or informal settings is eligible for the PAESMEM award. Applications are encouraged from all geographical regions in the U.S. including its territories and particularly jurisdictions designated by Congress under NSF's Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).

The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

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