Racial Equity in STEM Education (EDU Racial Equity)

Overview

Racial inequities often create barriers to STEM knowledge generation, as well as access to and participation in all aspects of STEM education, research, and the workforce. In ongoing efforts to address these disparities, NSF EHR seeks to support bold, groundbreaking, and potentially transformative projects that contribute to advancing racial equity in STEM education and workforce development through practice and/or fundamental or applied research. EHR's mission builds from the NSF Strategic Plan, seeking "to achieve excellence in U.S. science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education at all levels and in all settings (both formal and informal) in order to support the development of a diverse and well-prepared workforce of scientists, technicians, engineers, mathematicians and educators and a well-informed citizenry that have access to the ideas and tools of science and engineering. The purpose of these activities is to enhance the quality of life of all citizens and the health, prosperity, welfare and security of the nation.

Collectively, proposals funded by this solicitation will:

1. substantively contribute to institutionalizing effective research-based practices, policies, and outcomes in STEM environments for those who experience inequities caused by systemic racism and the broader community;
2. advance scholarship and promote racial equity in STEM in ways that expand the array of epistemologies, perspectives, ideas, theoretical and methodological approaches that NSF funds); and
3. further diversify project leadership (PIs and co-PIs) and institutions funded by NSF.

Designing Projects that Meet Racial Equity in STEM Education Program Goals: 

Efforts to address systemic racism in STEM education are complementary to NSF's efforts in Broadening Participation in STEM. The portfolio of projects funded by this program should be diverse in theoretical approaches, epistemologies, and methodologies, yet all proposals should

1) conceptualize systemic racism in the context of the project,

2) be led by or in authentic partnership with communities impacted by systemic racism, and

3) articulate a rigorous plan to generate knowledge and/or evidence-based practice via fundamental or applied research.

Conceptualizing Systemic Racism: EHR recognizes that systemic racism is multifaceted and can be addressed in various ways, requiring varied approaches and diverse perspectives. Approaches may include but are not limited to how systemic racism influences STEM knowledge generation, STEM participation and experiences, and access and outcomes in STEM. As the constructs of systemic racism and racial equity may have different meanings in different settings, each proposal should conceptualize systemic racism within the bounds of the project context and indicate how racial equity is advanced by the proposed work. Contexts may include, but are not limited to: preK-12, two-year and four-year undergraduate, and graduate institutions; municipal organizations; STEM workplaces; and informal STEM contexts, such as museums, community organizations, and media.

Authentic Partnership and Leadership: Core to this funding opportunity are the voices, knowledge, and experiences of communities impacted by enduring racial inequities. Therefore, because racial inequities frequently produce long-enduring systemic barriers in STEM and beyond, the participation of these stakeholders should be at the center of the proposals, including, for example, being in project leadership and research positions, conceptualizing the proposal, making decisions, and interpreting and disseminating evidence and research results. It is expected that proposals will indicate how they are led by, or developed and led in authentic partnership with, individuals and communities who experience inequities caused by systemic racism. The proposed work should provide positive outcomes for the individuals and communities engaged and should foreground peoples' humanity, knowledge, experiences, and strengths.

Research Foci: Each proposal should articulate a rigorous plan to generate knowledge and/or evidence-based practice via fundamental or applied research. Projects may focus on, but are not limited to:

• building theory; developing research, evaluation, and assessment methods; conducting pilot projects and feasibility studies;
• testing approaches and interventions;
• assessing the potential, efficacy, effectiveness, and scalability of approaches and interventions;
• changing institutional, organizational, and structural practices and policies;
• establishing, cultivating, and assessing authentic partnerships with communities impacted by systemic racism; conducting syntheses, meta-syntheses, meta-analyses, and systematic literature reviews;
• convening conferences that explore a theory, topic, method, or issue related to the program goals in order to drive research and practice forward; and/or
• focusing on affective, behavioral, cultural, social components, and implications.

• Estimated Number of Awards: 15 to 35
• Awards may be up to five years in duration.
• Anticipated Funding Amount: $15,000,000 to $25,000,000
• The anticipated annual program budget includes new and continuing grants.
• Racial Equity can also fund awards made through the EAGER, RAPID, Research Coordination Networks (RCN) mechanisms, CAREER awards, and REU supplements.
• Prospective PIs are encouraged to send a one-page concept paper to EDURacialEquity@nsf.gov in advance of submitting a proposal.