U.S. National Science Foundation
Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Excellence in Research (HBCU - EiR)
Key facts
- Deadline
- Due Oct 20, 2026 · 14 days left
- Award size
- Not specified — see notice
- Total available
- $28M · about 35 awards
- Cost share / match ?
- Not required
- Who can apply
- Other (see eligibility)
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
Before you apply: federal grants require an active SAM.gov registration (Unique Entity ID) and a Grants.gov account. The deadline is in 14 days. If your registration isn't already active, it may not be ready in time, so check it today. Grant-ready checklist
How this fits you
- Available in Tennessee (nationwide program)
- No cost share required
- Tennessee recipients since 2023: 220
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
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Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/12f44579-b7b8-43b0-935f-73c8011be8d8 · Printed from grantme.click/grants/04a1aa88-4738-4327-af2b-36e334c9fc0f
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About this grant
The Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Excellence in Research (HBCU-EiR) program was established in response to direction provided in the Senate Commerce and Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Report (Senate Report 115-139), and is built on prior and continuing efforts by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to strengthen research capacity at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This report provided guidance to NSF to establish the HBCU Excellence in Research program "to provide opportunities for both public and private HBCUs, particularly for those who have not been successful in larger NSF Research & Related Activities competitions, in order to stimulate sustainable improvement in their research and development capacity" (https://congress.gov/congressional-report/115th-congress/senate-report/139/1).
EiR supports such capacity building by funding research projects aligned with NSF's research programs. The program aims to establish stronger connections between researchers at HBCUs and NSF's research programs.
Eligibility (from the notice)
*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
-Proposals may only be submitted by accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that have faculty members who conduct research in science and/or engineering and/or STEM education.
*Who May Serve as PI:
The Principal Investigator for an Excellence in Research Project must be a full-time faculty member or researcher at the HBCU from which the proposal is submitted.
Who in Tennessee has won this program
220 awards to Tennessee recipients in 10 counties since federal FY2023. Largest shown:
| Recipient | Where | Amount | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $15M | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $13.3M | 2019 |
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $11.7M | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $9.3M | 2024 |
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $9M | 2026 |
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $5M | 2025 |
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $5M | 2026 |
| Fisk University | Nashville, Davidson County | $5M | 2021 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $5M | 2022 |
| Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville, Putnam County | $4.7M | 2021 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $4M | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $4M | 2025 |
Source: USAspending.gov. Past awards show who this program funds; they don't guarantee future awards.
About the program (47.041)
Engineering — (ENG)
How applications are judged
Not Applicable.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Not Applicable.
About the program (47.049)
Mathematical and Physical Sciences — (MPS)
How applications are judged
Not Applicable.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Not Applicable.
About the program (47.050)
Geosciences — (GEO)
How applications are judged
Not Applicable.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Not Applicable.
About the program (47.070)
Computer and Information Science and Engineering — (CISE)
How applications are judged
Not Applicable.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Not Applicable.
About the program (47.074)
Biological Sciences — (BIO)
How applications are judged
Not Applicable.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Not Applicable.
About the program (47.075)
Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences — (SBE)
How applications are judged
Not Applicable.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Not Applicable.
About the program (47.076)
STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources) — (EDU)
How applications are judged
Not Applicable.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Not Applicable.
About the program (47.078)
Polar Programs — (OPP)
How applications are judged
Not Applicable.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Not Applicable.
About the program (47.079)
International Science and Engineering
How applications are judged
Not Applicable.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Not Applicable.
About the program (47.083)
Integrative Activities — (OIA)
How applications are judged
Not Applicable.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Not Applicable.
About the program (47.084)
Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships — NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP)
How applications are judged
Not Applicable.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Not Applicable.