Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)

The RFP, all documents and any updates will be posted to NYSED’s STEP website .

Legislative Authority: In 1985, the New York State Legislature passed an amendment to Education Law Chapter 31, Article 130, § 6454, to authorize the use of funds under the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP).

Purpose/Goal: The purpose of the Science and Technology Entry Program is to prepare secondary school students, who are either economically disadvantaged or minorities historically underrepresented in scientific, technical, health, health-related and licensed professions, for entry into postsecondary degree programs in scientific, technical, health-related fields, and the licensed professions.

Eligible Applicants: According to § 145-6.5 of the Commissioner’s Regulations, eligible applicant means a New York State degree-granting postsecondary institution or consortia of such institutions with registered scientific, technical, or health-related professional or pre-professional programs that lead to professional licensure or to employment in scientific, technical, and health-related fields. The institution submitting the proposal, or if the applicant represents a consortium then at least half of the institutions in the consortium, must be located within a school district with an enrollment that is at least 20 percent Black or African American, Hispanic/Latino, or American Indian/Alaska Native, or located near such a district that is easily accessible by public transportation.

Funding Period and Amount: During the 2023-2024 program year, $21,507,680 was awarded to 56 projects. Future awards depend on annual legislative appropriation, but it is anticipated that funding will continue at the same approximate levels. This RFP covers a five-year funding cycle from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030. There is a 25% match required for each year of funding from a combination of institutional and/or other non-NY state funds. The maximum award for an individual STEP project funded during the 2025-2030 cycle will be $600,500 per year. The maximum award for any newly funded individual STEP project will be $299,500. The maximum award for a consortium STEP project will be $999,500.

Application Process and Due Date: New applicants for the STEP grant and current grantees must create and test or only test their GoAnywhere accounts respectively by November 13, 2024, to be able to submit the grant application. Applicants without access to GoAnywhere should send an email to steprfp@nysed.gov to request access. Please submit the complete application on GoAnywhere at GoAnywhere Website Login by November 26, 2024.

Prequalification Requirement: Pursuant to the New York State Division of the Budget bulletin H-1032 (revised January 9, 2024), nonprofit organizations must Prequalify to do business with New York State agencies before they can compete for State grants. The process allows nonprofits to address questions and concerns prior to entering a competitive bid process. Nonprofits are strongly encouraged to begin the Prequalification process as soon as possible. To become prequalified, a nonprofit must first register with Statewide Financial System (SFS). Detailed information on how to register with SFS and become prequalified is available on the Grants Management website. Nonprofits must receive approved prequalification status prior to grant application and execution of contracts. Grant proposals received from nonprofits that are not Prequalified in SFS by 5:00 PM on the application due date of November 26, 2024, will not be evaluated.

Non-Mandatory Notice of Intent (NOI): The Notice of Intent is not a requirement for submitting a complete application by the application date; however, NYSED strongly encourages all prospective applicants to submit an NOI to ensure a timely and thorough review and rating process. A non-profit applicant’s NOI will also help to facilitate timely review of their prequalification materials. The notice of intent is a simple email notice stating your organization’s (use the legal name) intent to submit an application for this grant. The NOI due date is November 12, 2024. Please send the NOI to steprfp@nysed.gov .