Limited Submission 03/02/2021
----- Office of Sponsored Programs -----
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LIMITED SUBMISSION OPPORTUNITY
Centers for Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) and HBCU Research Infrastructure for Science and Engineering (RISE) - NSF 18-509 replaces NSF 16-525
The Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) program provides support to enhance the research capabilities of minority-serving institutions (MSI) through the establishment of centers that effectively integrate education and research. MSIs of higher education denote institutions that have undergraduate enrollments of 50% or more (based on total student enrollment) of members of minority groups underrepresented among those holding advanced degrees in science and engineering fields: African Americans, Alaska Natives, American Indians, Hispanic Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Native Pacific Islanders. CREST promotes the development of new knowledge, enhancements of the research productivity of individual faculty, and an expanded presence of students historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

CREST Center awards provide multi-year support (typically 5-years) for eligible minority-serving institutions that demonstrate a strong research and education base, a compelling vision for research infrastructure improvement, and a comprehensive plan with the necessary elements to achieve and sustain national competitiveness in a clearly defined area of national significance in science or engineering research. Successful Center proposals will demonstrate a clear vision and synergy with the broad goals of the CREST Program and the Human Resource Development Division with respect to development of a diverse STEM workforce. CREST Centers are expected to provide leadership in the involvement of groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM at all levels (faculty, students, and postdoctoral researchers) within the Center. Centers are required to use either proven or innovative mechanisms to address issues such as recruitment, retention and mentorship of participants from underrepresented groups. 
Sponsor
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Limited Submission
UNLV is limited to ONE preliminary CREST center proposal. Full CREST Center proposals are to be submitted only when invited by NSF.

UNLV is not eligible for the HBCU-RISE or the CREST Postdoctoral Research Fellowship.
Deadlines
OSP Required Notice of Intent Due: 04/13/2021 12:00 pm
Submit NOI via the Limited Submission Portal
No late submissions will be considered. Information needed: PI information, project title, one page abstract and three potential internal reviewer names

Sponsor Letter of Intent Due: 12/03/2021 *Required
Sponsor Preliminary Proposal Due: 02/17/2022
Website
CFDA #s
47.041 (Engineering), 47.076 (Education and Human Resources)
Highlights
Preliminary and invited full CREST Center proposals may be submitted by minority-serving institutions of higher education in the United States. UNLV is a minority-serving institution.

Award Amount: Up to $5,000,000, typically over five years.


Notice of Intent
At least two weeks will be given to submit a NOI (abstract/summary 1 pg max).

Pre-Proposals
If NOIs received exceeds maximum number of proposals permitted, at least two weeks will be given to submit a pre-proposal (project narrative 4 pg max and budget amount overview).

Internal Review
Pre-proposals are reviewed by a panel of peers comprised of UNLV researchers whose expertise are as close as possible to the content area. At least two if not three reviews for every proposal submitted is performed. At least two weeks will be given to the reviewers to rate the pre-proposals. The review committee recommends which proposal(s) best meet sponsor's criteria and which best align with the mission of the department, college, and university.
Althea Sheets, Communications Manager, Office of Sponsored Programs, althea.sheets@unlv.edu, 702-895-1880