Opportunity Information: Apply for 21 576
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) program is a discretionary grant opportunity designed to strengthen the U.S. research and academic workforce by improving equity and increasing the number of historically underrepresented minority faculty in STEM. The program builds on prior AGEP efforts and on broader research about racial and ethnic equity to support systemic, evidence-based changes in higher education that help people progress along academic career pathways, from doctoral training through postdoctoral appointments and into faculty roles. AGEP is focused on addressing structural and cultural barriers inside institutions that can shape hiring, retention, promotion, and overall professional advancement, with the idea that lasting improvements require changing policies, practices, and workplace climates rather than relying only on individual-level support.
AGEP defines its primary populations (often called the "AGEP populations" in the solicitation) as STEM doctoral candidates, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty who are African American, Hispanic American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Native Pacific Islander. At the graduate level, the emphasis is specifically on doctoral candidates, since they are the most likely to enter faculty positions within the timeframe of a typical funded project. The solicitation also makes clear that AGEP covers the STEM fields supported by NSF, including the learning, social, behavioral, and economic sciences, but it does not support clinical science fields. A major theme throughout the opportunity is that improving inclusion and equity in faculty careers is tied to broader national goals, including educating the future STEM workforce and supporting a strong economy, and it aligns with larger NSF and National Science Board priorities such as Vision 2030.
A central feature of AGEP is its emphasis on systemic and institutional change. The program is explicitly concerned with how inequities can be embedded in departmental and institutional routines, such as uneven service and teaching loads that reduce research time, biased evaluation practices that affect tenure and promotion outcomes, and policies that fail to counteract implicit bias in hiring and advancement decisions. AGEP projects are expected to identify and mitigate these kinds of barriers by using data, evidence-based interventions, and accountability mechanisms that reshape how institutions operate. Rather than treating inequity as an individual problem, AGEP encourages projects that treat it as an organizational issue that can be measured, understood, and corrected.
The program is structured around Alliances, meaning proposals are expected to be collaborative efforts among institutions of higher education (IHEs). These partner institutions must be similar to one another using characteristics such as Carnegie classification, geographic location, and student and/or faculty demographics, and they are expected to work jointly on change strategies. Proposals are also expected to use an intersectional approach, meaning they should consider how multiple dimensions of identity and experience can interact with institutional structures to shape outcomes, and they should incorporate that lens into project design, implementation, and evaluation.
The solicitation offers three funding tracks, all aligned to the same overall goal but aimed at different stages and models of institutional change. The AGEP Institutional Transformation Alliance (ITA) track supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative, systemic change strategies intended to produce permanent policy and practice changes across similar institutions. ITA projects are expected to result in changes that persist after NSF funding ends, emphasizing sustainability and institutionalization. This track has additional submission requirements: a preliminary proposal is required, and at least one submitting institution must have current or prior experience as an AGEP Catalyst Alliance. Importantly, the institutions listed in the preliminary ITA submission must be the same collaborating institutions that would appear in the invited full proposal.
The AGEP Faculty Career Pathways Alliance Model (FC-PAM) track supports the creation and institutionalization of alliance-based models that advance AGEP populations along faculty career pathways, with an explicit requirement that alliance partners study their own formation and functioning. That self-study includes examining socio-cultural, economic, structural, leadership, and institutional variables that influence both the alliance itself and the effectiveness of the interventions used to support AGEP populations. For this track, a Letter of Intent (LOI) is required for teams planning to submit an FC-PAM collaborative proposal, and only one LOI is needed per collaborating group. The solicitation also notes that FC-PAM was time-limited, available only in FY2021 and FY2022, and then discontinued.
The AGEP Catalyst Alliance (ACA) track functions as a foundational or facilitator pathway for institutions that need to build the groundwork for larger transformation efforts. ACA awards support organizational self-assessments to gather and analyze data that reveal inequities affecting AGEP populations, pilot equity strategies when appropriate, and develop a five-year equity strategic plan focused on improving outcomes for these populations. In practice, the ACA track is positioned as a stepping stone toward an eventual ITA-level effort, helping institutions develop the diagnosis, data capacity, and strategic planning needed for deeper and broader institutional transformation.
From the funding opportunity details provided, the opportunity is listed as NSF Funding Opportunity Number 21-576 under CFDA 47.076, categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, with grants as the funding instrument. The award ceiling is listed as $4,400,000, with an expected 32 awards. The original closing date referenced is August 17, 2021, and it specifies that AGEP Catalyst Alliance proposals were due then, while ITA full proposals require having first submitted a preliminary proposal. Eligibility is noted broadly as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," but the program description makes clear that the core applicants are collaborative teams of similar IHEs forming an Alliance and proposing institution-level change strategies aimed at improving equity and increasing representation of AGEP populations in STEM faculty roles.Apply for 21 576
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.076.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 26, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 17, 2021 AGEP Catalyst Alliance proposals. Preliminary proposals are only required for institutions of higher education that want to submit a full AGEP Institutional Transformation Alliance proposal. AGEP Institutional Transformation Alliance proposals. A preliminary proposal must have first been 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 $4,400,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 32 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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NSF AGEP (Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NSF AGEP program?
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) program is a discretionary grant opportunity designed to strengthen the U.S. research and academic workforce by improving equity and increasing the number of historically underrepresented minority faculty in STEM. It supports systemic, evidence-based changes in higher education to help people progress along academic career pathways from doctoral training to postdoctoral appointments and into faculty roles.
What is the main goal of AGEP?
AGEP aims to increase equity and inclusion in academic career pathways and to increase the representation of historically underrepresented minority faculty in STEM. A key emphasis is on changing institutional policies, practices, and workplace climates so improvements persist beyond the life of a funded project.
Who are the "AGEP populations" referenced in the solicitation?
AGEP defines its primary populations as STEM doctoral candidates, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty who are African American, Hispanic American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Native Pacific Islander.
At the graduate level, which students are the primary focus?
The graduate-level emphasis is specifically on STEM doctoral candidates, because they are the most likely to enter faculty positions within the typical timeframe of a funded project.
Which fields are considered STEM for AGEP?
AGEP covers the STEM fields supported by NSF, including the learning, social, behavioral, and economic sciences.
Are clinical science fields supported under AGEP?
No. The solicitation notes that AGEP does not support clinical science fields.
What does AGEP mean by "systemic" or "institutional" change?
AGEP focuses on structural and cultural barriers within institutions that shape hiring, retention, promotion, and professional advancement. Projects are expected to address inequities embedded in routines and systems (for example, evaluation practices, workload distribution, and decision-making processes) using data, evidence-based interventions, and accountability mechanisms.
What kinds of institutional barriers does AGEP expect projects to address?
The opportunity highlights barriers such as uneven service and teaching loads that reduce research time, biased evaluation practices that can affect tenure and promotion, and policies or practices that fail to counteract implicit bias in hiring and advancement decisions.
Does AGEP focus on individual support or organizational change?
AGEP emphasizes organizational change. Rather than treating inequity as an individual problem, the program encourages projects that treat inequity as an institutional issue that can be measured, understood, and corrected through policy, practice, and culture change.
What is an AGEP "Alliance"?
AGEP proposals are expected to be collaborative efforts among institutions of higher education (IHEs) that work jointly on change strategies. The program is structured around Alliances rather than single-institution efforts.
How should alliance partner institutions be selected?
Partner IHEs are expected to be similar to one another using characteristics such as Carnegie classification, geographic location, and student and/or faculty demographics.
What does AGEP mean by an "intersectional approach"?
AGEP expects proposals to consider how multiple dimensions of identity and experience can interact with institutional structures to shape outcomes, and to incorporate that lens into project design, implementation, and evaluation.
What funding tracks are available under this AGEP opportunity?
The solicitation offers three tracks: (1) AGEP Institutional Transformation Alliance (ITA), (2) AGEP Faculty Career Pathways Alliance Model (FC-PAM), and (3) AGEP Catalyst Alliance (ACA). All tracks align to the overall goal of improving equity and increasing representation of AGEP populations in STEM faculty roles, but they differ in stage and model of change.
What is the AGEP Institutional Transformation Alliance (ITA) track?
The ITA track supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative systemic change strategies intended to produce permanent policy and practice changes across similar institutions. ITA projects are expected to result in changes that persist after NSF funding ends, emphasizing sustainability and institutionalization.
Are there special submission requirements for the ITA track?
Yes. A preliminary proposal is required for ITA. In addition, at least one submitting institution must have current or prior experience as an AGEP Catalyst Alliance. The institutions listed in the preliminary ITA submission must be the same collaborating institutions that would appear in the invited full proposal.
What is the AGEP Faculty Career Pathways Alliance Model (FC-PAM) track?
FC-PAM supports the creation and institutionalization of alliance-based models that advance AGEP populations along faculty career pathways. This track includes an explicit requirement that alliance partners study their own formation and functioning as an alliance.
What does the required FC-PAM alliance self-study examine?
The self-study includes examining socio-cultural, economic, structural, leadership, and institutional variables that influence both the alliance itself and the effectiveness of the interventions used to support AGEP populations.
Is a Letter of Intent (LOI) required for FC-PAM proposals?
Yes. A Letter of Intent is required for teams planning to submit an FC-PAM collaborative proposal, and only one LOI is needed per collaborating group.
Is FC-PAM still available under this opportunity?
The solicitation notes that FC-PAM was time-limited, available only in FY2021 and FY2022, and then discontinued.
What is the AGEP Catalyst Alliance (ACA) track?
The ACA track supports institutions in building the groundwork for larger transformation efforts. ACA awards support organizational self-assessments to gather and analyze data that reveal inequities affecting AGEP populations, pilot equity strategies when appropriate, and develop a five-year equity strategic plan focused on improving outcomes for these populations.
How does the ACA track relate to the ITA track?
ACA is positioned as a stepping stone toward an eventual ITA-level effort, helping institutions develop the diagnosis, data capacity, and strategic planning needed for deeper and broader institutional transformation.
What is the NSF funding opportunity number and CFDA number for this AGEP solicitation?
The opportunity is listed as NSF Funding Opportunity Number 21-576 under CFDA 47.076.
What category is this funding opportunity listed under, and what is the funding instrument?
It is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and the funding instrument is grants.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed for this opportunity?
The award ceiling is listed as $4,400,000.
How many awards are expected?
The opportunity indicates an expected 32 awards.
What was the closing date referenced in the opportunity details?
The original closing date referenced is August 17, 2021. It specifies that AGEP Catalyst Alliance proposals were due then, and that ITA full proposals require having first submitted a preliminary proposal.
Who is eligible to apply based on the information provided?
Eligibility is noted broadly as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)." However, the program description indicates that the core applicants are collaborative teams of similar institutions of higher education (IHEs) forming an Alliance and proposing institution-level change strategies aimed at improving equity and increasing representation of AGEP populations in STEM faculty roles.
How does AGEP connect to broader national priorities?
The opportunity frames improved inclusion and equity in faculty careers as tied to educating the future STEM workforce and supporting a strong economy. It also aligns with broader NSF and National Science Board priorities, including Vision 2030.
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