Division of Human Resource Development

The National Science Foundation Division of Human Resource Development (HRD) is a critical component of NSF's education and human resources directorate focused on broadening participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. HRD manages programs designed to increase participation and advancement of underrepresented groups and institutions in STEM education and research, with particular emphasis on enhancing STEM capabilities of minority-serving institutions. The Division administers funding opportunities that support institutional capacity building, research initiatives, and educational innovations aimed at creating a more diverse STEM workforce pipeline.

Recent grant activity from the HRD Division demonstrates substantial investment in strengthening minority-serving institutions' research and educational capabilities. Tribal Colleges and Universities receive significant support, with grants awarded to institutions like Aaniiih Nakoda College ($500,000), Diné College ($200,000), Cankdeska Cikana Community College ($165,331), Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University ($250,000), and Turtle Mountain Community College ($250,000). These awards primarily fund cyberinfrastructure improvements, research equipment acquisition, and specialized STEM education programs that incorporate indigenous knowledge and perspectives. Many projects focus on culturally relevant research topics, such as sustainable agriculture practices with native crop varieties, environmental science field courses, and language preservation efforts that strengthen tribal institutions' capacity to conduct locally relevant research.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) also receive substantial funding through various HRD programs. Recent awards support equipment acquisition for advanced research capabilities, such as Florida A&M University's $1,591,823 grant for heterogeneous integration technology and $689,074 for a 6-axis 3D printing system. Other institutions like Norfolk State University, Morgan State University, and Prairie View A&M University received grants ranging from $200,000 to $415,356 to develop artificial intelligence and cybersecurity curricula and research capacity. The Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program funds multi-institution collaborations like the $1,000,000 awards to the University of California system and Texas Southern University's Houston LSAMP alliance, focusing on increasing STEM degree completion among underrepresented minority students.

The Division of Human Resource Development demonstrates a clear commitment to investing in next-generation technologies and research areas that address national priorities. Artificial intelligence and computational infrastructure funding features prominently in recent awards, with numerous institutions receiving grants between $185,000 and $500,000 to establish AI labs, acquire high-performance computing equipment, or develop AI curricula. Research areas receiving substantial support include cybersecurity, data science, advanced manufacturing (particularly 3D printing technologies), and computational biology. The division also funds innovative educational approaches, including virtual reality for STEM education, course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs), and interventions to enhance the interview preparation and career readiness of students from underrepresented groups. These investments align with national workforce development goals while addressing the specific needs of minority-serving institutions and their student populations.