DCL: Strengthening the Evidence Base Related to Broadening the Participation of LGBTQI+ Individuals in STEM

Overview

This Dear Colleague Letter encourages proposals for activities that inform and support efforts to increase the participation, inclusion and well-being of all, to include LGBTQI+ individuals in STEM to promote a diverse and innovative science and engineering workforce.

This DCL aims to advance NSF’s Vision of a "nation that leads the world in science and engineering research and innovation, to the benefit of all, without barriers to participation"

This DCL encourages four proposal types:

1. Proposals for fundamental, use-inspired, and/or translational research and/or research syntheses. 
2. Proposals to design and deliver new conferences, colloquia, and workshops focused on research that advances education and workforce development activities related to building and/or applying the evidence base related to SOGI.
3. Group travel proposals to support participation in existing or planned meetings and conferences aligned with the goals of this DCL.
4. Proposals to fund activities aligned with the goals of this DCL and associated with increasing access, engagement, inclusion, and/or belonging in STEM research, workforce development, and education.

There is no deadline associated with the DCL. Proposals pursuant to the DCL will be submitted to existing NSF programs, and will need to follow the deadlines and other conditions associated with those programs. 

When developing proposals submitted in response to this DCL, proposers are strongly encouraged to integrate evidence related to factors affecting the participation of LGBTQI+ individuals in STEM.