ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers  (ADVANCE)  

Program Update

We expect that the new ADVANCE program solicitation will be posted here by Fall 2008.

If you are interested in participating in a web based PAID proposal preparation workshop please send an email to advance@nsf.gov with your email contact information.   The workshops will start mid November 2008 and run through the beginning of December 2008.   More information will be available via the "Events" link at the bottom of this page soon.

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Solicitation  07-582

SYNOPSIS

The pursuit of new scientific and engineering knowledge and its use in service to society requires talent, perspectives and insight that can only be assured by increasing diversity in the science, engineering, and technological workforce. One of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) key strategic goals is to cultivate a world-class, broadly inclusive science and engineering workforce, and expand the scientific literacy of all citizens. Investments are directed at programs that strengthen scientific and engineering (S&E) research potential and education programs at all levels. These outcomes are essential to the Nation as we progress toward an increasingly technological job market and a scientifically complex society. 

To meet the continuing, strong demand for a highly educated and technologically savvy workforce, it is important that every American has an opportunity to achieve and to contribute in mathematics, engineering, and science.  Women comprise an increasing percentage of the overall U.S. workforce, and of science and engineering majors at academic institutions, but constitute only 27 percent of the science and engineering workforce at large. Although women earn half of the bachelors degrees in science and engineering, they continue to be significantly underrepresented in almost all science and engineering fields, constituting 29 percent (in 2003) of doctoral science and engineering faculty in four-year colleges and universities and only 18 percent of full professors.  Women from minority groups are particularly underrepresented in science and engineering, constituting approximately 3 percent of science and engineering faculty in four-year colleges and universities.

The goal of the ADVANCE program is to develop systemic approaches to increase the representation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers, thereby contributing to the development of a more diverse science and engineering workforce. Creative strategies to realize this goal are sought from women and men. Members of underrepresented minority groups and individuals with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. Proposals that address the participation and advancement of women with disabilities and of women from underrepresented minority groups are encouraged.

In 2008, this program will support the following types of ADVANCE Projects:

Partnerships for Adaptation, Implementation, and Dissemination (PAID) Awards

Partnerships for Adaptation, Implementation, and Dissemination awards support analysis, adaptation, dissemination and use of existing innovative materials and practices that have been demonstrated to be effective in increasing representation and participation of women in academic science and engineering careers.  This category of award also supports proposals for developing national and/or discipline-specific leadership in enabling the full participation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers.

Deadline: January 17, 2008

Institutional Transformation (IT) Awards

Institutional Transformation Awards support academic institutional transformation to promote the increased participation and advancement of women scientists and engineers in academe. These awards support innovative and comprehensive programs for institution-wide change.

Deadline: December 6, 2007

Institutional Transformation Planning Grants (IT-Start)

IT-Start awards support basic data collection and analysis functions necessary to understand the status of women faculty in academic science and engineering at institutions seeking institutional transformation. This category of award is intended to broaden the spectrum of institutions participating in ADVANCE activities. IT-Start awards seek to include institutions with varying institutional scope, sizes, experiences, and perspectives, for example (but not limited to): primarily undergraduate institutions, teaching intensive colleges, community colleges, minority-serving institutions (e.g. tribal colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic serving institutions) as well as women's colleges.

Deadline: December 6, 2007

RELATED URLS

Institutional Transformation Awardee Websites

THIS PROGRAM IS PART OF

Education and Workforce Program

Abstracts of Recent Awards Made Through This Program

Events