Below is a summary assembled by the Research & Innovation Office (RIO). Please see the full solicitation for complete information about the funding opportunity.

Program Summary

This new solicitation from the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) calls for proposals for an LSAMP National Coordination Hub (LSAMP Hub) and for Louis Stokes Community Resource Centers (LSCRCs). These new funding opportunities will support the overall goal of the LSAMP program to assist universities and colleges in diversifying the nation's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce by increasing the number of STEM baccalaureate and graduate degrees awarded to individuals from populations underrepresented in these disciplines: Blacks and African Americans, Alaska Natives, American Indians, Hispanic and Latino Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Native Pacific Islanders.

The LSAMP Hub will promote intentional coordination, stronger collaborations, and enhance interactions among the broader LSAMP community as well as provide a bridge between alliance and non-alliance organizations. The LSAMP Hub activities will support comprehensive, evidence-based, innovative, and sustained strategies that ultimately result in the graduation of well-prepared, highly-qualified students from underrepresented minority groups who pursue graduate studies or careers in STEM. In addition, the LSAMP Hub will serve as the nexus for LSAMP activities, including those of alliances, existing Louis Stokes Regional Centers of Excellence in Broadening Participation (LSRCEs), and the new LSCRCs, to support the overall LSAMP goals.

The LSCRCs will accelerate the pace of knowledge generation and research dissemination in the areas of broadening participation, STEM education for LSAMP populations, and preparation for national STEM priorities. In addition, the LSCRCs will support a community of researchers and facilitate scholarly opportunities that will further advance the overall goal of the LSAMP program to diversify the nation's STEM workforce.

The activities of the Hub, along with the new LSCRCs, will complement and amplify the work of the existing alliances and assist in wider dissemination of knowledge production from LSAMP activities. They will also support the program in further development of partnerships both across the LSAMP community and with other national efforts. These efforts are in alignment with NSF goals and priorities included in the NSF Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY) 2022 – 2026, Leading the World in Discovery and Innovation, STEM Talent Development and the Delivery of Benefits from Research, the National Science Board's Vision 2030 with its emphasis on the importance of finding the missing millions to reduce the significant talent gap in the Nation's workforce, and the Federal Government's five-year strategic plan for STEM education, Charting a Course for Success: America's Strategy for STEM Education.

Deadlines

Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØInternal Deadline: 11:59pm MST September 12, 2022

Sponsor Application Deadline (for both opportunities): 5:00pm MST January 9, 2023

Internal Application Requirements (all in PDF format)

  • Proposal Type
    • Louis Stokes Community Resource Centers
    • LSAMP National Coordination Hub
  • Project Summary (3 pages maximum): Please include: 1) the activities to achieve project goals supported by a logic model and measurable objectives; 2) the rationale for how participating organizations are qualified for the proposed work; 3) SMART goals reflecting the responsibilities of each of the collaborating organizations and each of the team members; and 4) a formative and summative culturally responsive evaluation plan.
  • PI Curriculum Vitae
  • Budget Overview (1 page maximum): A basic budget outlining project costs is sufficient; detailed OCG budgets are not required.

To access the online application, visit:

Eligibility

An individual may serve as a PI or Co-PI on one (1) LSAMP National Coordination Hub proposal or one (1) Louis Stokes Community Resource Center proposal. Proposals that exceed the PI or Co-PI limit will be returned without review.

Limited Submission Guidelines

An organization may serve as the lead institution on one (1) LSAMP National Coordination Hub proposal or on one (1) Louis Stokes Community Resource Center proposal.

Award Information

LSAMP National Coordination Hub: One (1) new project with total budget up to $5 million (maximum $1.0M per year) for up to 5 years.

Louis Stokes Community Resource Centers: Three to five (3-5) new projects with total budgets up to $3.5M each (maximum $700,000 per year) for 3 to 5 years.

Review Criteria

In addition to the NSF Merit Review Criteria, for both the LSAMP Hub and the LSCRCs, reviewers will be asked to consider the following:

  1. Demonstration of deep knowledge of and experience with the LSAMP community as well as the ability to reach out to and connect with LSAMP grantees.
  2. A clear rationale for how the participating organizations is prepared and suited for the work proposed.
  3. A comprehensive Management Plan that
    1. includes goals and objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and anchored within a timeframe (SMART);
    2. identifies the roles and responsibilities of each of the collaborating organizations and each of the team members; and
    3. addresses effective communication and decision making.
  4. A formative and summative evaluation plan, and identification of an external evaluator.
  5. An External Advisory Board comprised of diverse stakeholders with relevant expertise.

Reviewers for the LSAMP Hub will be asked to consider the following specifically:

  1. Articulation of a plan to engage the LSAMP community in knowledge production and sharing of best practices, including continuous program improvement, as well as increasing NSF LSAMP visibility and impact throughout the nation.
  2. A plan for identifying and forming strategic partnerships within the LSAMP community to support the goals and objectives of LSAMP.

Reviewers for LSCRCs will be asked to consider the following specifically:

  1. The appropriateness and potential effectiveness of the evidence-based, culturally relevant practices as part of proposed activities.
  2. Implementation plan for a set of activities around a common theme.
  3. Identification of the LSAMP stakeholders that will be working with the LSCRC team.
  4. Identification of partnerships in support of LSCRC activities.