NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) Programme 2027 – Funding Opportunities for US Higher Education Institutions

Overview

The United States National Science Foundation invites eligible institutions of higher education to apply for funding under the Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programme, designated as funding opportunity NSF 25-514. The initiative aims to increase access to quality STEM education by supporting academically talented, low-income students through financial assistance and evidence-based academic support programmes. The programme ultimately seeks to strengthen the American innovation economy by improving student recruitment, retention, academic success, and graduation rates in critical disciplines.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants consist of institutions of higher education, with the funding awarded directly to these institutions rather than to individual students. The initiative particularly encourages proposals from two-year colleges and institutions, predominantly undergraduate institutions, public universities and colleges, urban institutions, suburban colleges and universities, and rural public institutions. Individual students who wish to benefit from the initiative must be domestic students with low-income status, demonstrated unmet financial need, and academic talent or potential, and they must be enrolled in eligible degree programmes within supported disciplines.

What you get

Participating institutions receive grant funding to administer scholarship initiatives, student success interventions, and research activities aimed at improving STEM education outcomes. The programme estimates that approximately 40 to 60 awards will be made, depending on the availability of funds. These resources enable institutions to reduce financial barriers and combine scholarship support with academic and student development interventions designed to assist low-income students through graduation.

Requirements

Supported academic pathways include eligible associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral qualifications across disciplinary fields receiving National Science Foundation funding and associated technology fields. Excluded programmes comprise clinical degree initiatives such as medicine, nursing, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and physical therapy, alongside STEM teacher certification or licensure programmes and business administration degrees at all levels. Institutions must prepare proposals in accordance with the official solicitation and the relevant proposal and award policies and procedures guide, demonstrating an understanding of the characteristics and support needs of their intended student population.

Key dates

The full proposal deadline is March 2, 2027, with submissions due by 5:00 p.m. according to the submitting institution's local time.