Build and Broaden 2.0: Enhancing Social, Behavioral and Economic Science Research and Capacity at Minority-Serving Institutions | 21 542

Opportunity Information: Apply for 21 542

Build and Broaden 2.0 (B2 2.0) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity from the Social, Behavioral and Economic (SBE) Sciences Directorate focused on strengthening SBE research and research capacity at minority-serving institutions (MSIs). The core idea is to increase meaningful research collaborations and networks that include MSI scholars, while also helping these institutions become more active and competitive participants in the NSF funding ecosystem. In practice, the program is meant to expand who gets to do federally supported SBE research, and to ensure MSI faculty and students have stronger pathways into research careers and the broader STEM workforce.

The motivation for B2 2.0 comes from two related issues NSF is trying to address. First, national workforce projections and policy reports have highlighted concerns about shortages in science and engineering skills, which strengthens the case for widening participation in research and training across the country. Second, while MSIs play a major role in educating and preparing the next generation of scientists and professionals who contribute to US innovation and economic competitiveness, NSF has historically received relatively few proposals from, or involving, MSI scholars, particularly within SBE. NSF outreach has also suggested that familiarity with NSF opportunities varies widely across MSIs, and that this uneven exposure can limit proposal submissions and, downstream, limit the amount of NSF-supported SBE research and training occurring at these institutions. B2 2.0 is designed as a targeted mechanism to reduce those gaps by encouraging partnerships, increasing submissions, and building durable research connections that include MSI participants.

Collaboration is central to the solicitation. B2 2.0 encourages teams that link MSI researchers with scholars at other institutions or organizations, with the goal of building interconnected research networks and strengthening the overall research pipeline. At the same time, the program is explicitly designed for impact at MSIs, meaning the partnerships and proposed work should not be peripheral to the MSI role. The solicitation invites proposals led by a single principal investigator based at an MSI, as well as proposals with multiple co-investigators from a group of MSIs, reflecting an emphasis on MSI-led or MSI-centered research activity and capacity building. The opportunity also allows principal investigators who are not affiliated with MSIs to submit, but only if they collaborate with MSI partners, reinforcing that MSI involvement is a requirement rather than an optional add-on.

From an administrative standpoint, this is an NSF discretionary grant program (Funding Opportunity Number 21-542) under CFDA 47.075, categorized as science and technology and other research and development. The opportunity was created on December 6, 2020, with an original closing date of March 5, 2021. The listing indicates an expected 30 awards, and the award ceiling is shown as 0, which typically signals that a specific maximum was not provided in the summarized record and applicants would need to consult the full solicitation for budget guidance and award size norms. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," but the narrative makes clear that the program is designed around MSI participation, either through MSI-based leadership or required collaboration with MSI scholars.

Overall, B2 2.0 is best understood as a capacity- and network-building research funding opportunity in the SBE sciences, structured to increase both the volume of proposals involving MSIs and the strength of research collaborations that connect MSI scholars to wider disciplinary communities. The intended outcome is not only more funded projects in SBE at MSIs, but also a stronger, more diverse, and more effective national research and STEM workforce pipeline supported through sustained institutional relationships and expanded access to NSF support.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Build and Broaden 2.0: Enhancing Social, Behavioral and Economic Science Research and Capacity at Minority-Serving Institutions" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.075.
• This funding opportunity was created on Dec 06, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 05, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for 21 542

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: