Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology – Research Infrastructure for Science and Engineering
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for minority-serving institutions (MSIs) that are Emerging Research Institutions (ERIs) offering master's or research doctoral degrees in NSF-supported STEM fields. ERIs have less than $50 million in annual research expenditures for three of the last five years. MSIs must have 50% or more U.S. resident students who are members of underrepresented minority groups in STEM, or primarily serve students with disabilities.
Three project tracks are available: CREST-RISE DPSI (doctoral programs), CREST-RISE RAD (research advancement), and CREST-RISE E&I (equipment). All projects must align with host department and institutional strategic plans. Projects should increase doctoral student production, especially from underrepresented groups in STEM.
The program supports STEM research in all NSF fields, with emphasis on artificial intelligence, data science, advanced materials, cybersecurity, quantum information sciences, climate change, and clean energy. PIs must be faculty at eligible institutions.
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Program description
The Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) program provides support to enhance the research capabilities of minority-serving institutions (MSIs) as defined in this solicitation’s Eligibility section, through effective integration of education and research. The CREST program, composed of the CREST Centers, the CREST Postdoctoral Research Program, and the projects supported by this CREST-RISE solicitation, promotes the development of new knowledge, enhancements of the research productivity of individual faculty and postdoctoral scholars, and an expanded presence of research doctoral students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, especially those from underrepresented groups.
CREST-RISE is the component of the CREST program that supports the expansion of institutional research capacity by increasing the strength of institutional graduate programs and the successful production of research doctoral students, especially those from groups underrepresented in STEM.
The CREST-RISE component supports STEM research doctoral programs in all NSF supported areas and encourages proposals in areas of national interest, such as artificial intelligence, data science and analytics; advanced materials, manufacturing, robotics; cybersecurity; plant genetics/agricultural technologies; quantum information sciences; nanotechnology, semiconductors/microelectronics technologies; climate change and clean energy.
CREST-RISE projects must have a direct connection to the long-term plans of the host department(s) and the institution’s strategic plan and mission. Project plans should emphasize activities designed to increase the production of research doctoral students, especially those underrepresented in STEM as well as expand institutional research capacity.
The goals of CREST-RISE are to increase: 1) the number of STEM research doctoral programs at MSIs (as defined in the Eligibility section), 2) the number of STEM research doctoral students graduating from MSIs, especially those from groups underrepresented in STEM, and 3) institutional research capacity to increase doctoral students’ graduation rates.To achieve these goals, the CREST-RISE program includes three tracks as follows:
- CREST-RISE STEM Doctoral Programs Support Initiative (CREST-RISE DPSI)
- CREST-RISE Research Advancement and Development (CREST-RISE RAD)
- CREST-RISE Equipment & Instrumentation (CREST-RISE E&I)
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF Cover Sheet (SF-424 or equivalent)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Institutional commitments and letters of support
- Verification of MSI/ERI status documentation
- Strategic plan alignment statement
- Curriculum vitae of PIs and key personnel
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.076 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$116,005,485
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$111,205,673
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$82,631,883
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$50,428,430
-
$45,382,137
-
$42,090,891
-
$41,100,753
-
$39,174,893
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$33,116,189
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$30,232,784
Top States by Funding
- CA 18 awards $419.3M
- MA 4 awards $209.8M
- TX 7 awards $123.0M
- NY 5 awards $115.7M
- IL 5 awards $96.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.076). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,087,560,000 | |
| 2025 | $1,169,550,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $286,650,000 |
FAQ
What institutions are eligible to apply?
Minority-serving institutions (MSIs) that are Emerging Research Institutions (ERIs) with less than $50 million in annual research expenditures and that offer master's or research doctoral degrees in STEM. Institutions must have 50% or more U.S. resident students from underrepresented groups.
What types of projects does CREST-RISE fund?
Three tracks: DPSI (new/strengthened doctoral programs), RAD (faculty research advancement), and E&I (equipment and instrumentation). All projects must increase doctoral student production and institutional research capacity.
Is cost-sharing required?
No, cost-sharing is not required for this grant.
What is the funding range?
Awards typically range from $100,000 to $2,000,000 depending on the project track and scope.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is August 7, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling acceptance.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly demonstrate how your project aligns with institutional strategic plans and departmental long-term goals. Reviewers want commitment beyond the grant period.
- Focus metrics on increasing doctoral student graduation rates, especially for underrepresented groups in STEM. Include baselines and measurable targets.
- Use the three-track structure strategically: match your institutional needs to DPSI (new programs), RAD (faculty research), or E&I (equipment). You can propose multiple tracks if appropriate.
- Build a strong faculty and student support infrastructure. Show how you'll recruit, mentor, and graduate doctoral students from underrepresented backgrounds.
- Emphasize research productivity and capacity building alongside education goals. NSF expects both research output and workforce development outcomes.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals fail when institutions don't verify MSI/ERI status or underestimate the $50M research expenditure threshold. Applications lose points when project goals are disconnected from institutional strategy or lack specific doctoral student recruitment/completion metrics. Weak proposals focus only on facilities without addressing systemic barriers to doctoral degree completion for underrepresented students.
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