Upward Bound Math and Science Program
This program is only offered every four years. Another competition is not expected until FY 2016.
Grant: Upward Bound Math and Science Program (UBMS)
Agency: U.S. Department of Education (DOE)
Division: Office of Postsecondary Education
Deadline: This competition is closed. The deadline was July 20, 2012.
Description: The Upward Bound (UB) program is a discretionary grant program that supports projects designed to provide the skills and motivation necessary to complete a program of secondary education, and to enter and succeed in a program of postsecondary education. The UB program will play a critical role in improving the quality of student outcomes so that more students are well prepared for college and careers. There are three types of grants under the UB Program: Traditional UB grants; Veterans UB grants; and UB Math and Science grants.
Under the new Upward Bound Math and Science program (UBMS), focus is placed on math and science through the support of projects designed to prepare high school students for postsecondary education programs that lead to careers in the fields of math and science. The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) views this program as a critical component in the effort to improve the quality of student outcomes so that more students are well prepared for college and careers.
The UBMS grant program follows three competitive preference priorities. Each application can receive up to an additional five points for each priority they meet. The three priorities include:
- Turning around persistently lowest-achieving schools covers projects that are designed to address the concern of providing services to students enrolled in those schools persistently regarded as lowest-achieving.
- Enabling more data-based decision-making covers those projects designed to collect, analyze and use high-quality and timely data.
- Improving productivity covers those projects designed to significantly increase efficiency in the use of time, staff, money or other resources while improving student learning or other educational outcomes. Such projects may include innovative and sustainable uses of technology, modification of school schedules and teacher compensation systems, use of open educational resources or other strategies.
More detailed information about each priority and project examples can be found in the program notice.
Fit for public broadcasting: Public broadcasting stations have a long history of successful educational programming, and are strongly encouraged to apply to this program. Stations involved with the American Graduate initiative may be active in low achieving schools, a focus of Priority 1. Additionally, given stations experience using open educational resources, they should consider an application under Priority 3: “Improving Productivity.” Open educational resources, as defined in this program notice, include teaching, learning and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license.
In FY 2012, 166 Upward Bound Math-Science grants were made totaling more than $44 million. Download the full recent grantee listing and start developing partnerships today.
Eligibility: Those eligible to apply include, institutions of higher education, secondary schools, public, and private agencies and organizations, as well as any combination of institutions, agencies and organizations. Community-based organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth are especially encouraged to apply.
Anticipated funding: Under the UBMS program, the DOE is expected to grant an estimated 148 awards, ranging from $250,000 to $355,000 for a project period of up to 60 months. Cost sharing is not required.
How to apply: All applications must be submitted electronically using Grants.gov. Online submission requires registration, a process that usually takes three to five business days but can take as long as four weeks. Be sure to visit Grants.gov and begin registering well in advance of the grant deadline.
To do business with the U.S. Department of Education, applicants must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and both must be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). Please note that the CCR registration process may take five or more business days to complete.
Resources:
UBMS Program notice
UBMS Program website
Past awardees
Frequently asked questions
