This article is published in the April 2021 issue.

Submit Requests for Supplemental Funding to the NSF CISE BPC Program

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NSFThe Broadening Participation in Computing program (BPC) aims to significantly increase the number of U.S. citizens and permanent residents receiving post-secondary degrees in the computer and information science and engineering (CISE) disciplines, and to encourage participation of other groups underrepresented in the CISE disciplines.

PIs with active Medium and Large CISE Core programs awards funded in the last three years (specifically pursuant to solicitations NSF 20-591, 19-589. 18-569, 18-568, and 18-570) are invited to submit supplemental funding requests to engage more members of the CISE research community in significant BPC efforts as part of a project’s BPC plan. These supplements will increase the participation of individuals underrepresented in the community participation in specific research areas. Supplemental funding requests for an existing BPC plan should either (a) extend the reach of current BPC activities that have some evidence of effectiveness to more participants or institutions; or (b) coordinate and institutionalize BPC activities within a department or similar unit.

The supplemental funding request should include the following information:

  1. objectives and strategies for the proposed activities along with a timeline,
  2. an evaluation and assessment plan that describes how to measure the outcomes of the proposed activities, and
  3. the results of past BPC activities on this project.

The current approved BPC plan must be uploaded as a Supplementary Document. Supplemental funding requests must: (a) be less than 20% of the original award amount; and (b) not exceed $200,000. Supplements will not be given if they would require an extension beyond the expiration date of the original grant. 

Interested PIs are strongly encouraged to contact both their cognizant NSF Program Director(s) and the BPC team at cise-bpc@nsf.gov by May 17. Supplement requests should be submitted by the BPC deadline (June 14).

Please refer to the CISE BPC solicitation (NSF 21-571) for more details. Send questions or concerns to cise-bpc@nsf.gov.

This message was brought to you by the National Science Foundation Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering.