Workplace Equity for Persons with Disabilities in STEM and STEM Education | 23 593

Opportunity Information: Apply for 23 593

The National Science Foundation (NSF) funding opportunity titled Workplace Equity for Persons with Disabilities in STEM and STEM Education (Funding Opportunity Number 23-593) supports research aimed at improving how STEM workplaces and postsecondary STEM training environments include, support, and provide equitable opportunities for people with disabilities. Managed by NSF's Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM within the Directorate for STEM Education, the program is designed to fund work that builds strong evidence about what prevents full participation and success, what effective solutions look like, and how proven strategies can be put into practice in real settings. The overall emphasis is on generating knowledge that is both rigorous and useful, spanning fundamental research (building theory and understanding), applied research (testing approaches in context), and translational research (moving findings into usable practices, policies, and tools).

Proposed projects are expected to align with one or more of three core research themes. The first theme focuses on identifying barriers and testing solutions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in STEM and STEM education workplaces and training settings for people with disabilities. This can include examining structural, cultural, technological, policy, or interpersonal obstacles, as well as interventions that reduce those obstacles. The second theme centers on intersectional social identity perspectives, meaning proposals should look at disability alongside other dimensions of identity (such as race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic background, or other lived experiences) to better understand how multiple forms of advantage or disadvantage combine to shape workplace and training outcomes. The third theme emphasizes use-inspired, solution-oriented translational research, encouraging projects that move beyond describing problems to developing, adapting, implementing, and evaluating practical strategies that make STEM environments measurably more equitable and accessible.

NSF also sets out specific project design components that research proposals must address. Projects need to include meaningful participation from researchers, experts, and organizations that have authentic disability experiences, signaling that disability-informed perspectives should be built into the leadership, design, and execution of the work rather than added as an afterthought. Proposals must clearly identify the disability type or types being studied, specify the STEM and/or STEM education workplaces and postsecondary training settings that will be examined, and ground the study in appropriate theoretical and/or conceptual frameworks. In addition, proposals must present robust research hypotheses or questions, along with strong research designs, methods, analytic approaches, and plans for interpreting results. Applicants also have to explain how they will assess whether the project is successful, and they must provide a plan for disseminating findings and products in accessible ways to both traditional audiences (such as researchers and institutional leaders) and new audiences (such as disability communities, practitioners, and broader stakeholder groups).

In terms of funding, NSF expects the requested budget and project length to match the maturity and scope of the proposed work. Standard research proposals may request up to $1,500,000 for a project period of up to five years, and applicants are expected to justify why their budget and timeline are appropriate for the planned activities. The solicitation also welcomes Synthesis projects, which are a specialized form of research proposal focused on integrating existing knowledge (for example, through systematic reviews, evidence mapping, or other synthesis approaches). Synthesis proposals may request up to $600,000 for up to three years. Beyond research and synthesis, the program invites proposals for conferences and for NSF's special mechanisms EAGER (early-concept exploratory research) and RAPID (rapid response research), with the important note that EAGER and RAPID submissions require prior approval through a program officer concurrence email. Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) are also encouraged at any time, reinforcing NSF's broader commitment to reducing access barriers in research participation.

Key administrative details include that this is a discretionary grant program under the NSF, categorized within science and technology and other research and development, with CFDA numbers including 47.041, 47.049, 47.050, 47.070, 47.074, 47.075, 47.076, 47.079, 47.083, and 47.084. The opportunity anticipated approximately 20 awards, had an award ceiling of $1,500,000 for research proposals, and listed a research and synthesis submission deadline target of September 19, 2023, while noting that conference, EAGER, and RAPID proposals could be accepted before or after the target date under NSF's applicable rules. Eligibility is listed as "Others," with additional clarification referenced in the solicitation's eligibility section, meaning applicants should consult the full program text to confirm organizational eligibility and any specific requirements.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Workplace Equity for Persons with Disabilities in STEM and STEM Education" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041, 47.049, 47.050, 47.070, 47.074, 47.075, 47.076, 47.079, 47.083, 47.084.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 20, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 19, 2023 Research and Synthesis Project Proposal Submissions Must Adhere to this Deadline Conference, EAGER, and RAPID Proposals are Accepted Before or After the Target Date. An EAGER or RAPID proposal may only be submitted after receipt of an NSF program officer concurrence email specifying that a proposal may be submitted.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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