How to Build a Strong STEAD Application
Q: How are funds paid out? A: Awards are issued on a reimbursement basis and must be administered through a host institution, financial organization, or 501(c)(3). While individuals are encouraged to apply, funding cannot be paid directly to individuals. Instead, expenses must be submitted and reimbursed through an eligible administering organization.
Q: Can an individual receive the funds? A: No. The Principal Investigator (PI)—the project lead who submits the proposal—cannot receive funds directly. All awards must be issued through an approved host institution or organization, and institutional approval is required before funding can be administered. While awardees serve as the PI responsible for the project’s administration and management, the financial oversight must be handled by their institution or fiscal sponsor.
Q: Is faculty reimbursement an allowable cost? A: No. Faculty or staff salary reimbursement is not an allowable expense under STEAD awards. Funds are intended to support direct project costs—such as materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, and student engagement activities—not compensation for existing faculty or staff time.
Q: If my project exceeds $2,500, should I reduce the scope of work or include it as part of a larger budget? A: If limiting your project to $2,500 would diminish its quality or impact, you are encouraged to submit for the $2,500 as part of a larger funding pool. In this case, clearly indicate in your proposal how the STEAD funds will be used within the broader project budget and identify additional confirmed or potential funding sources. Demonstrating that you’ve researched and planned for the full financial picture will strengthen your application.
Q: Who can the funds serve? A: At this time, STEAD funds are intended to support projects serving K–12 students. Projects should expose students to STEM careers and introduce them to the skills and experiences necessary to pursue those pathways.
Q: What if my funding organization is not located in Vermont? A: NSF-STRIVE funds must directly support Vermont students. However, if your host or funding organization is based in another state that also participates in EPSCoR, and all awarded funds are used to benefit Vermont students, your project remains eligible for funding.
Research Design for Competitive Proposals
Want to turn a great idea into a fundable research project?
This STRIVE workshop breaks down the core elements of designing STEM and related research with strong grant potential.
Learn how to shape your concept, structure your plan, and set your proposal up for success—whether you’re new to research or looking to sharpen your skills.
STaRS Info Session
Q: What is meant by under-represented institutions? As part of NSF EPSCoR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) priorities, STRIVE aims to expand research among institutions that have historically received little or no NSF funding. STRIVE prioritizes the inclusion of smaller institutions - such as primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) and two-year colleges - as essential partners in building sustainable STEM capacity. These institutions are actively supported through integration into collaborative research and workforce development initiatives.
Q: Is funding limited to one year? A: Yes. STaRS is designed as a one-year (up to 12-months) award cycle. Afterward, applicants are expected to pursue major external funding. The STRIVE operations and administrative team will support awardees by highlighting opportunities and assisting with applications to help secure long-term funding.
Q: Is faculty reimbursement an allowable cost? A: No. Instead, we will help awardees identify larger grants that provide stipends or course-load reduction. We understand that research adds to your workload, and we are working with partner institutions to make it more manageable and sustainable. For example, we will host a vision workshop to guide applicants in designing proposals that integrate student internships and research into courses, reducing faculty burden while still advancing meaningful research.
Q: How strong is the emphasis on benefiting the Vermont STEM and research community? A: Proposals should demonstrate immediate benefits to Vermont students and colleagues. Research done in Vermont inherently strengthens the state’s research ecosystem, even if the subject extends beyond local issues. Projects that both build Vermont’s research capacity and address challenges tied to Vermont’s economy will be especially strong.
Q: What does it mean to be relevant to current STEM debates or workforce needs? A: Current STEM debates include ethical concerns around, for example: AI, automation and job displacement, genetic engineering, sustainability in engineering and agricultural practices, etc. STRIVE also prioritizes equity in STEM education and access to careers. Relevance means aligning research with these ongoing debates while strengthening Vermont higher education’s capacity to address them. STRIVE’s mission is to expand STEM workforce opportunities for Vermonters, therefore projects tackling these issues are strongly encouraged.
STRIVE is funded through the U.S. National Science Foundation EPSCoR Program Award number 2438168
