Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA)

The SEPA program supports educational activities that encourage pre-college students (pre-kindergarten to grade 12) from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, to pursue further studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

SEPA Notification of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) PAR-23-137 funds two types of projects: (1) classroom-based projects for pre-college students and teachers and (2) informal science education (ISE) projects conducted in outside-the-classroom venues such as science centers, museums and libraries. A SEPA project may focus on one or more of the following activities centered on any discipline of health research within NIH’s mission: Courses for Skills Development, Research Experiences, Mentoring Activities, Curriculum or Methods Development, and Outreach. Projects that support quantitative and computational skills development are strongly encouraged.

SEPA also provides funding for eligible small business concerns to develop interactive digital media (IDM) biomedical science resources for pre-college students and teachers. PAR-20-244 (R43/R44, SBIR) has expired and a new NOFO will be published in late spring 2023 with an application receipt date of September 5, 2023. PAR-20-239 (R41/R42, STTR) will not be renewed. Applicants interested in applying for STTR SEPA IDM awards should submit applications to the NIH Parent STTR solicitation, PAR-22-178.

SEPA Interactive Portfolio Dashboard

SEPA Website