Opportunity Information: Apply for 22 506
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates (RaMP) in Biological Sciences program supports the creation of organized networks that provide full-time, paid, postbaccalaureate research experiences paired with structured mentoring and training. The central idea is to help recent college graduates who had few or no meaningful research opportunities as undergraduates gain the research background, technical skills, and professional support needed to move into competitive STEM pathways. RaMP sits within research areas typically supported by NSF's Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO), and it is positioned as a workforce-development effort aimed at strengthening U.S. scientific capacity while improving equity and representation across the biological sciences.
A key priority of the opportunity is expanding participation in STEM by focusing on graduates who were least likely to have access to undergraduate research in the first place, including people from groups historically underrepresented in STEM, first-generation college graduates, and students from under-resourced institutions. The program also recognizes that COVID-19 disrupted and reduced training and research access for many students, widening existing gaps. RaMP is designed as a bridge period after graduation that can help participants build a credible research track record and clarify next steps, whether that means applying to research-based M.S. or Ph.D. programs, entering industry roles, pursuing positions in federal or state agencies, working in education or research centers, or moving into other STEM careers.
Rather than funding isolated, one-off placements, RaMP emphasizes building networks with a cohort model. Each funded project is expected to organize cohorts of postbaccalaureate trainees (referred to as mentees) who participate in research while also receiving coordinated mentoring, training, and professional development. The cohort and network structure is intentional: it is meant to create a supportive community, encourage sustained peer and mentor relationships, and enable the sharing of ideas and resources across the network. The solicitation highlights evidence from training and capacity-building research showing that inclusive cohort-based mentoring and collaborative networks can improve persistence and outcomes, especially for participants who have previously lacked access to these kinds of professional communities.
Proposals are expected to be built around a cohesive biological research theme and to create a strong, collaborative mentoring environment. Networks should handle recruitment and selection of both mentees and mentors, and they should offer mentoring and development opportunities not only to the trainees but also to mentors, co-mentors, and other STEM professionals involved. An important design expectation is cross-organizational involvement: networks should include mentors and mentees spanning different organizations, institutions, and/or departments, with active communication and shared training across those boundaries. Research experiences may be embedded in ongoing research programs, structured through existing networks, or built around new projects designed specifically for the RaMP network, but in all cases the work is expected to be research-based inquiry that includes analytical and technical training plus professional development.
Administratively, this is an NSF discretionary grant opportunity in the science and technology research and development category (CFDA 47.074). The funding opportunity is titled "Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates in Biological Sciences" (Funding Opportunity Number 22-506), was created October 9, 2021, and listed an original closing date of January 20, 2022. The expected number of awards was 16, and the public listing shows an award ceiling of 0, which typically indicates that applicants should rely on the solicitation details and NSF budget guidance rather than a fixed maximum cap in the summary record. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with clarification to be provided in the solicitation's eligibility section.Apply for 22 506
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates in Biological Sciences" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.074.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 09, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 20, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 16 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the NSF RaMP in Biological Sciences program?
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates (RaMP) in Biological Sciences program supports organized networks that provide full-time, paid postbaccalaureate research experiences paired with structured mentoring and training. The goal is to help recent college graduates strengthen their research experience and professional preparation for competitive STEM pathways.
What is the main purpose of RaMP?
RaMP is designed as a bridge period after graduation for people who had few or no meaningful research opportunities as undergraduates. It aims to build research background, technical skills, and professional support so participants can move into next-step STEM opportunities (for example, graduate programs or STEM careers).
Who is RaMP intended to support?
RaMP prioritizes recent college graduates who were least likely to have had access to undergraduate research experiences. This includes people from groups historically underrepresented in STEM, first-generation college graduates, and students from under-resourced institutions.
How does RaMP address impacts from COVID-19?
The program recognizes that COVID-19 disrupted and reduced training and research access for many students, widening existing gaps. RaMP is positioned to help participants rebuild or strengthen research experience and mentoring connections during the postbaccalaureate period.
What kinds of experiences do participants (mentees) receive?
Participants receive full-time, paid postbaccalaureate research experiences along with coordinated mentoring, training, and professional development. The research is expected to be inquiry-based and include analytical and technical training plus professional development.
Does RaMP fund individual one-off placements?
No. RaMP emphasizes building organized networks that use a cohort model rather than isolated placements. Funded projects are expected to organize cohorts of postbaccalaureate trainees (mentees) within a structured network.
What is meant by a cohort model in RaMP?
A cohort model means postbaccalaureate trainees participate as a group within a shared program structure, supported by coordinated mentoring, training, and professional development. The cohort approach is intended to create community, strengthen peer and mentor relationships, and support persistence and outcomes.
What is meant by an organized network in RaMP?
An organized network is a coordinated collaboration that brings together mentees and mentors through shared recruitment, training, communication, and professional development. Networks are expected to share ideas and resources across the participating people and organizations.
What research areas does RaMP support?
RaMP sits within research areas typically supported by NSF's Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO). Proposals are expected to be built around a cohesive biological research theme.
How are mentoring and training structured in RaMP projects?
Projects are expected to create a strong, collaborative mentoring environment, with structured mentoring and training coordinated across the network. Mentoring and professional development opportunities are expected not only for trainees, but also for mentors, co-mentors, and other STEM professionals involved.
What are the expectations for cross-organizational involvement?
Networks are expected to include mentors and mentees spanning different organizations, institutions, and/or departments. The solicitation emphasizes active communication and shared training across those boundaries.
How are mentees and mentors selected?
RaMP networks are expected to handle recruitment and selection of both mentees and mentors as part of the network's design and administration.
Do research experiences have to be part of existing research programs?
Research experiences may be embedded in ongoing research programs, structured through existing networks, or built around new projects designed specifically for the RaMP network. In all cases, the work is expected to be research-based inquiry with analytical and technical training plus professional development.
What kinds of next steps is RaMP meant to support after the program?
RaMP is meant to help participants clarify and prepare for next steps such as applying to research-based M.S. or Ph.D. programs, entering industry roles, pursuing positions in federal or state agencies, working in education or research centers, or moving into other STEM careers.
Is RaMP a workforce development program?
Yes. RaMP is positioned as a workforce-development effort aimed at strengthening U.S. scientific capacity while improving equity and representation across the biological sciences.
What is the official title of the funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates in Biological Sciences."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 22-506.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The public listing shows the opportunity was created on October 9, 2021.
What was the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The public listing shows an original closing date of January 20, 2022.
How many awards were expected?
The expected number of awards listed was 16.
What is the award ceiling for RaMP?
The public listing shows an award ceiling of 0, which typically indicates applicants should rely on the solicitation details and NSF budget guidance rather than a fixed maximum cap in the summary record.
What type of grant is this?
This is an NSF discretionary grant opportunity in the science and technology research and development category.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 47.074.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional clarification expected to be provided in the solicitation's eligibility section.
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