The U.S. National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories. NSF was established in 1950 by Congress to promote the progress of science, advance the national health, prosperity and welfare, and secure the national defense.
The CREST Center awards are designed to support MSIs in establishing centers that seamlessly integrate STEM research and education. These awards have a broad goal of developing new knowledge, improving the research productivity of faculty, and fostering the participation of groups historically underrepresented in STEM fields. Successful proposals will showcase a strong vision of STEM integration and align with the mission to develop a diverse STEM workforce. The program expects CREST Centers to lead in involving faculty, students, and postdoctoral researchers from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM, using evidence-based strategies for broadening participation and addressing workforce development issues. The awards aim for national research competitiveness, broadening STEM participation, and securing sustainable funding. They include Phase I and II awards for multi-year research support on NSF-supported topics, with Phase II allowing for continued or new area research. Additionally, CREST Partnership Supplements are available for current awardees to foster collaborations that advance education and research on nationally significant themes.