Facilitating Research at Predominantly Undergraduate Institutions:
Can you apply?
This grant is for faculty at predominantly undergraduate institutions (PUIs) to conduct research in NSF-supported fields. Eligible institutions are accredited colleges and universities that award Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degrees but have awarded 20 or fewer Ph.D./D.Sci. degrees in NSF fields during the previous two academic years. Community colleges are eligible if they meet other criteria.
Research can be conducted at the home institution or at other research-intensive organizations. RUI proposals support on-campus research that integrates undergraduate education. ROA proposals support faculty working as visiting scientists at partner institutions.
All NSF disciplinary areas may participate. Interested faculty should contact their specific NSF program officer to determine feasibility and timing before submitting.
Program description
The Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) and Research Opportunity Awards (ROA) funding opportunities support research by faculty members at predominantly undergraduate institutions (PUIs). RUI proposals support PUI faculty in research that engages them in their professional field(s), builds capacity for research at their home institution, and supports the integration of research and undergraduate education. ROAs similarly support PUI faculty research, but these awards typically allow faculty to work as visiting scientists at research-intensive organizations where they collaborate with other NSF-supported investigators.
Eligible PUIs are accredited colleges and universities (including two-year community colleges) that award Associate’s degrees, Bachelor’s degrees, and/or Master’s degrees in NSF-supported fields, but have awarded 20 or fewer Ph.D./D.Sci. degrees in all NSF-supported fields during the combined previous two academic years.
All NSF directorates may support RUI and ROA funding activities. Funding for these awards is contained within research and education program allocations and not held as a separate allocation. RUI and ROA proposals are evaluated and funded by NSF programs in the disciplinary areas of the proposed research and are funded at their discretion.
Prospective PIs should contact disciplinary program officers to identify specific NSF programs and to determine the feasibility and timing of RUI/ROA requests. General RUI/ROA points of contact are available through the website http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/rui_roa/contacts.jsp.
1. Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI). An RUI proposal may be:
- A request to support an individual research project or a collaborative research project involving PUI faculty and students at their own or other institutions.
- A request involving shared research instrumentation.
2. Research Opportunity Awards (ROA). The types of ROA opportunities include:
- A supplement to an existing NSF award to support ROA activities for PUI faculty.
- Requests to rebudget funds in an existing NSF award to support ROA activities for PUI faculty.
- Submission of a new collaborative proposal between a PUI and another institution(s), with a ROA component as a subaward or as part of a linked collaborative proposal.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Proposal narrative
- Budget and budget justification
- Biographical sketch (PI)
- Current and Pending Support form
- Institutional eligibility documentation
Program contact
- 👤 National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4261
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.050 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$640,746,599
-
$399,999,980
-
$220,735,035
-
$100,533,563
-
$82,550,071
-
$74,280,323
-
$73,335,203
-
$68,622,497
-
$64,462,832
-
$63,916,877
Top States by Funding
- TX 4 awards $689.8M
- MA 15 awards $653.0M
- OR 5 awards $452.3M
- CA 12 awards $286.7M
- NY 7 awards $217.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.074). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $813,390,000 | |
| 2025 | $789,240,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $221,290,000 |
FAQ
What institutions are eligible to submit RUI and ROA proposals?
Accredited colleges and universities (including community colleges) that award Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degrees are eligible. The institution must have awarded 20 or fewer Ph.D./D.Sci. degrees in NSF-supported fields during the previous two academic years.
What is the difference between RUI and ROA?
RUI proposals support research at your home institution with undergraduate integration. ROA proposals support faculty as visiting scientists at research-intensive organizations working with other NSF-supported investigators.
What types of research are supported?
Individual research projects, collaborative projects with other institutions, and shared research instrumentation are all eligible. ROAs can also be supplements to existing NSF awards.
When should I contact an NSF program officer?
Contact your disciplinary program officer before submitting to identify relevant NSF programs and determine feasibility. General contacts are available on the NSF RUI/ROA website.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required for RUI/ROA proposals.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact your NSF disciplinary program officer early. They guide which specific programs fund your research area.
- Emphasize how research builds capacity and integrates undergraduate education, especially for RUI proposals.
- For ROA proposals, clearly describe the visiting scientist role and collaboration with existing NSF-supported projects.
- Review your institution's Ph.D./D.Sci. degree count for the previous two academic years to confirm eligibility.
- Align your proposal with NSF's research priorities in your discipline.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications misalign with specific NSF program priorities. Institutions overestimate Ph.D. degree count and discover ineligibility late. Proposals lack clear undergraduate education integration or collaboration plans.
Similar grants
- OPEN FY26 Bureau of Land Management Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management – Bureau wide — Bureau of Land Management
- OPEN Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program – Organic Transitions — National Institute of Food and Agriculture
- OPEN Urban, Indoor, and other Emerging Agricultural Production Research, Education, and Extension Initiative — National Institute of Food and Agriculture
- OPEN Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR) — National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- OPEN U.S.-D.R. Technology and Science Fair — U.S. Mission to the Dominican Republic