Open for applications
Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Excellence in Research (HBCU - EiR)
U.S. National Science Foundation · Opportunity number 23-598
View the official notice on Grants.gov
4 days left
(deadline Oct 20, 2026)
Details summarized from the official notice as of Oct 15, 2026. Always confirm eligibility, deadlines and requirements in the official notice before applying.
Independent platform. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Data from public federal sources.
Key facts
| Opportunity number | 23-598 |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. National Science Foundation |
| Assistance listing (ALN, formerly CFDA) | 47.078, 47.075, 47.049, 47.074, 47.076, 47.084, 47.050, 47.079, 47.083, 47.041, 47.070 |
| Posted | Jun 8, 2023 |
| Deadline | Oct 20, 2026 |
| Expected number of awards | 35 |
| Estimated total program funding | $28,000,000 |
| Cost sharing or matching required | No |
| Funding type | Grant |
| Category | Science technology and other research and development |
| Last updated here | Oct 15, 2026 |
Summary from the notice
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.
Who can apply
The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible:
- Others named in the notice (see the eligibility text)
Not listed as eligible
- Small businesses
- Nonprofits
- Colleges and universities
- State governments
- Local governments
- Tribal governments and organizations
- Larger for-profit companies
- Individuals
Unless the eligibility text in the notice names you, this opportunity is probably not for you.
Eligibility details 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 researcherat the HBCU from which the proposal is submitted.
Registrations you will likely need
Most applications submitted through Grants.gov need the following. Registration can take several weeks, so start early. The notice lists the exact requirements.
- SAM.gov registration for your organization, which also gives you a Unique Entity ID (UEI). Registration is free.
- A Login.gov account, which Grants.gov uses for sign-in.
- A Grants.gov applicant registration linked to your organization's UEI.
Past awards for this program
Totals for assistance listing 47.078, 47.075, 47.049, 47.074, 47.076, 47.084, 47.050, 47.079, 47.083, 47.041, 47.070 from public USASpending.gov data, as of Sep 23, 2026. Past awards do not predict future funding.
| Year | Listing | Awards | Total | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 47.075 | 1 | $13,900,000 | $13,900,000 |
| 2026 | 47.083 | 15 | $286,335,186 | $19,089,012 |
| 2026 | 47.079 | 1 | $4,230,400 | $4,230,400 |
| 2026 | 47.041 | 12 | $310,155,075 | $25,846,256 |
| 2026 | 47.084 | 8 | $177,731,954 | $22,216,494 |
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