NSF Alliances for Broadening Participation in STEM (ABP)

WHAT:        Limited Submission Proposal for the National Science Foundation (NSF 08-545) Alliances for Broadening Participation in STEM (ABP) 

WHO:          Texas A&M University faculty, including TAES, TEES and TTI personnel.   

WHY:          LSAMP applicants may not exceed $1.0 million dollars per year for five years; BD supplement applicants may not exceed  $987,000 per year for two years; and AGEP applicants may not exceed $1.0 million dollars per year for five years. 

WHEN:        Internal proposal deadline of March 24, 2008. 

HOW:          Faculty should submit internal proposal via email for review by the internal selection committee.    

The funding agency below has limited the number of proposals to one LSAMP, one BD and one AGEP proposal per alliance.  If the number of faculty wishing to submit a proposal exceeds the number allowed by the agency, we will conduct an internal selection process. Below are due dates for the program, including the due date of the internal proposal for review by the internal selection committee, the date for announcement of the internal selection and the due date for submission to the agency.                                                        

AGENCY:  National Science Foundation (NSF)

AGENCY PROGRAM TITLE:  NSF 08-545 Alliances for Broadening Participation in STEM (ABP)

BRIEF PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:  The ABP Program consists of the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program, Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) Program and Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) Program.  The overall goal of the ABP Program is to increase the number of students successfully completing quality degree programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).  In addition, particular emphasis is placed on supporting groups that historically have been underrepresented in STEM:  African Americans, Alaskan Natives, American Indians, Hispanic Americans and Native Pacific Islanders. 

The Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program supports sustained and comprehensive approaches to broadening participation at the baccalaureate level.  LSAMP alliances must be structured to address two interrelated requirements:  first, the design of the alliance must be based on sound understanding of programmatic approaches known to be successful in meeting well-defined needs, must be cost effective and must involve undergraduates in faculty research; second, the proposed plan must be comprehensive and longitudinal, since fragmented or isolated efforts provide insufficient responses to the acknowledged scope and scale of the problem being addressed by the LSAMP Program.  Applicants must commit to a significant increase in baccalaureate production in STEM fields within a five-year period and make a compelling case for the level of increase they define as significant.  Also, proposals from previously funded LSAMP alliances (senior-level alliances) must include a plan to achieve institutionalization of effective pathways to STEM graduate study and careers for baccalaureate recipients at participating institutions, as well as improving the quality and numbers of underrepresented minority students matriculating in STEM disciplines. 

Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) supplements are expected to include effective strategies for recruiting, retaining, educating and graduating the participants, as well as placing significant numbers of LSAMP graduates into doctoral-degree programs.  A critical mass of twelve LSAMP graduate students from STEM disciplines is required and will be supported by NSF.  Further, each LSAMP and BD project will have a formative evaluation that includes both quantitative (minority enrollment and Ph. D. production) and qualitative (the process of change in organizational culture) aspects. 

The goal of the Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) Program is to increase the number of underrepresented minority students pursuing advanced study, obtaining doctoral degrees and entering the professorate in STEM disciplines (including social sciences).  AGEP proposals must describe plans for proactive recruitment of BD graduates into appropriate AGEP doctoral programs.  Further, two specific AGEP objectives are to:  develop and implement innovative models for recruiting, mentoring and advancing minority students in STEM doctoral programs; and develop effective strategies for identifying and supporting underrepresented minorities who want to pursue academic careers.  Possible strategies may include:  support for students to attend conferences, coordinated recruitment among partner institutions, proactive use of faculty in student recruitment, development of systemic mentoring and mentor training, faculty and student exchange programs, specific preparation for the professoriate and more effective career counseling and career placement.  Projects involving any of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields normally supported by NSF are eligible.  Social, behavioral and economic science (SBE) fields are also eligible.  AGEP proposals will be required to participate in a program evaluation that will mutually benefit NSF and project participants.      

More information can be found here.           

AGENCIES ELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT:  The Alliances for Broadening Participation in STEM (ABP) Program is open to U. S. universities and colleges, including community colleges. 

AWARD INFORMATION:   Each LSAMP award may be up to $5 million dollars for a maximum of five years.  Each BD supplement award may be up to $987,000 dollars per year for a maximum of two years.  Each AGEP award may be up to $5 million dollars for a maximum of five years. 

ELIGIBLE PROJECT COSTS:   Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:  For the BD segment only.  NSF will contribute $30,000 per year for each of twelve students to graduate student stipends.  Successfully matriculating graduate students are expected to receive a second year stipend at this dollar support level.  NSF will provide a cost-of-education allowance to the institution for tuition, health insurance and other normal fees of $10,500 per year for each of twelve students.  Project evaluation costs may be included but not to exceed the maximum request of $987,000.  In addition, NSF will provide a flat $15,000 allowance per award in lieu of indirect costs.  Graduate stipends should be listed on Line F, “Participant Support”, on the proposal budget.  

COST SHARING:  NONE.     

Internal Selection Procedures and Deadlines

March 21, 2008:  Deadline for an email of intent, including the names of the PI and co-PIs, title of internal proposal and a 1-3 sentence description of the project.  Send email of intent.

March 24, 2008: Deadline to obtain signatures of approval from your department head and college dean to submit an internal proposal to the Office of Sponsored Projects for review by the internal selection committee.  The internal proposal should include:

(1)     An executive summary, up to three pages, based on the proposal description as outlined in the NSF program announcement

(2)     Summary budget

(3)     Project and Management Plans (including team members)

The form for completing the internal proposal is here.

This completed form should be submitted electronically for review by the internal selection committee.

Please read the RFP carefully for specific requirements of the program here.    

Selection of a proposal will be based on NSF guidelines.  The needs of the university’s reinvestment plan will also be taken into account. 

During the selection process, the internal selection committee may contact departments and colleges for their opinions and commitments.  They may also request additional information from PIs.

April 4, 2008: The Internal Selection Committee will notify PIs of the result of the internal competition.

May 30, 2008:  Deadline for required letter of intent (for AGEP only).

The following dates are deadlines for full proposals for each of the three segments of ABP, as each are due by 5 p.m. submitter’s local time.

May 15, 2008:  Bridge to the Doctorate (BD).

June 27, 2008: Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP).

October 10, 2008:   Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP).

October 10, 2008:   Educational Research Projects.