The "Day at NSF" initiative is being conducted by the Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) Network with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The special meeting held at the Foundation on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, was designed to provide an opportunity for for presidents or chief academic officers from 50 relatively small minority-serving institutions (MSIs) that have at least one award from the Foundation’s Education and Human Resources Directorate to: (1) reinforce their unique role as catalysts for innovative and integrative STEM initiatives on their campuses; (2) learn about current priorities and emerging initiatives at NSF; and (3) share information on STEM initiatives on their campuses with peers as well as with NSF staff and program officers.

The initiative's goals also are to: enhance and broaden presidents’ and chief academic officers’ appreciation for their critical role in initiating, leading, and securing support for innovative, transformational efforts in STEM; and increase the participation of minority institutions and their faculty in NSF programs through synergistic, integrated, and coordinated STEM initiatives. This effort is designed to foster ongoing relationships among MSI leaders and NSF.

At the September 15th meeting––through discussion with peers, NSF staff, and program officers––participating MSI presidents and chief academic officers explored their pivotal role in catalyzing STEM initiatives on their campuses. Through concurrent discussions focused respectively on participating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Hispanic-serving Institutions (HSIs), NSF staff and program officers became better informed about these institutions, their contribution to advancing the STEM enterprise, and their strategic plans for STEM enhancement. In plenary session, representatives of NSF’s Office of the Director, its Office of Budget, Finance, and Awards, and its various Directorates enhanced participants’ knowledge of NSF’s mission, priorities, and funding opportunities as well as of pre- and post-award procedures and requirements.

If you would like more information, please contact Shirley McBay, Project Director, via email at smmcbay1@qem.org or telephone (202/659-1818).

PROPOSAL DEADLINES FOR SELECTED NSF PROGRAMS (.htm) (.pdf)