NSF FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESEARCH BY TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND NEW GUIDELINES FOR RESEARCH THAT IMPACTS TRIBAL NATIONS RESOURCES AND INTERESTS

The National Science Foundation (NSF) offers numerous funding opportunities such as the Tribal Colleges and University Program (TCUP; NSF 21-595) to support high quality science (STEM as well as social and behavioral science) and education research and outreach. TCUP tracks support institutional improvements in STEM education and research (ICE-TI), targeted STEM infusion projects (TSIP) small grants for research, as well as support for partnerships and advancement centers, K12 STEM teachers, cyberinfrastructure upgrades and more. NSF also has designated EPSCoR funding to support research from institutions (including TCUs) in designated jurisdictions. Additional NSF programs such as the CAREER program (NSF 22-586) and the GEO EMBRACE (NSF 23-617) programs also support faculty research - including from TCUs, as do disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs.

There are new requirements for research funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) that may impact the resources or interests of federally recognized Tribal Nations. For the purposes of this provision, resources and interests connected to Tribal Nation lands or those aspects of Tribal life that are within the domain of a Tribal Nation. The NSF’s 2024 Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG, NSF 24-1) requires that proposers have written approval from authorized designees of Tribal Nation(s) regarding any activities that have the potential to impact Tribal Nations. Proposals must indicate “Potential Impacts on Tribal Nations” on the NSF proposal Cover Sheet and include: 1) a copy of the written request to carry out proposed activities that may require prior approval from the Tribal Nation and 2a) written confirmation that review and approval of the proposed activities are not required from the Tribal Nation; or 2b) documentation from the Tribal Nation that provides the requisite approval. Tribal Nation officials are designated by the Tribal government to determine the review and approval of research requests. Following a review of funding opportunities, the new PAPPG requirements and some examples of projects that would require Tribal Nation approval, there will be time in this presentation for questions.