New NSF effort focuses on expanding entrepreneurship opportunities and participation

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NSF supports broadening participation and diversity in STEM entrepreneurship and innovation.


December 22, 2020

The U.S. National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences is supporting research focused on expanding participation and diversity in science and engineering-related entrepreneurship with a new Dear Colleague Letter: Broadening Participation in STEM Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

To increase national competitiveness and expand opportunities for our vast and diverse population of potential entrepreneurs, NSF invites research proposals focused on revealing new knowledge and insights into how underrepresented groups across the U.S. can more fully participate in innovation and entrepreneurship.

This effort is supported by six programs spanning multiple NSF directorates and offices, including the Innovation Corps (I-Corps), the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program, the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic Serving Institutions Program and the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program.

The endeavor is managed by the Science of Science: Discovery, Communication and Impact program.

“Our program is focused on increasing the public value of scientific activity,” says Josh Trapani, director of the Science of Science program, “To do that, we must develop a research base that can be used to cultivate opportunities for people who lack them.”

While not a formal solicitation or new program, this effort highlights a new way for NSF-supported research to advance science that creates greater opportunity. It is a collaborative effort involving the NSF directorates for Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Education and Human Resources, Engineering, and the Office of Integrative Activities.

For guidance on award types, durations and amounts, see the Science of Science program and Frequently Asked Questions About SBE's Science of Science Program.

For additional information, see Dear Colleague Letter: Broadening Participation in STEM Entrepreneurship and Innovation (BPINNOVATE).

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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