Research at Undergraduate Institutions (RUI)

The Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) activity is a National Science Foundation (NSF) program designation that supports research by faculty members at predominantly undergraduate institutions. All NSF directorates participate in the RUI activity. RUI proposals are evaluated and funded by the NSF programs in the disciplinary areas of the proposed research.

Per the NSF: “Eligible predominantly undergraduate institutions (PUIs) are accredited colleges and universities (including two-year community colleges) that award Associate's degrees, Bachelor's degrees, and/or Master's degrees in NSF-supported fields, but have awarded 20 or fewer Ph.D./D.Sci. degrees in all NSF-supported fields during the combined previous two academic years."

Ball State does qualify for RUI status for the NSF through August 31, 2026 Ball State is eligible because in AY 2023-24 & 2024-25 combined, the University awarded a total of 17 PhD degrees in the following NSF-supported fields:

*Applied Linguistics (PHD-ENG-APLI) (*Final degree 2024)
Educational Psychology (PHD-EDLP) *Note: Excluding School Psychology
Educational Studies (PHD-EDSD)
Environmental Science (PHD-ENSC)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RUI?

Individual and collaborative research projects,
The purchase of shared-use research instrumentation, and

Research Opportunity Awards (ROA) for work with NSF-supported investigators at other institutions.

Is RUI a grant opportunity?

RUI is not a grant opportunity, but simply a designation that PIs may use when applying to the NSF. Applications follow regular deadlines and PIs apply as normal, but add the RUI to the title, and follow a few additional instructions as listed in the RUI solicitation. This includes additional space in your Project Description to include an RUI Impact Statement.

What makes an institution RUI eligible?

Eligible "predominantly undergraduate" institutions include U.S. two-year, four-year, masters-level, and small doctoral colleges and universities that:

Grant baccalaureate degrees in NSF-supported fields
Have undergraduate enrollment exceeding graduate enrollment, and
Have awarded 20 or fewer Ph.D./D.Sci. degrees in all NSF-supported fields during the combined previous two academic years, in all NSF-supportable disciplines.

How does it impact my grant work?

If you are a PI interested in submitting an NSF proposal and your work relies on and supports undergraduate researchers, you may consider using the RUI designation on your application. All NSF Directorates participate in the RUI program designation, however there are no additional funds put toward these proposals. It only helps NSF balance their portfolio of supported institutions. Please discuss this possibility with your Proposal Manager.

Which PI's are eligible for the RUI designation?

Any PI applying to NSF may utilize the RUI designation in years that Ball State is eligible. Institutions may float in and out of RUI-eligible status based on the number of PhD/D.Sci degrees in NSF-supported fields, so it is important to confirm eligibility and plan accordingly. Your SPA Proposal Manager can assist with this.

How does BSU confirm eligibility for the RUI status?

SPA verifies doctoral degrees awarded each September with the Graduate School and the Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support. Ball State currently has the following NSF-supported fields that award Doctoral degrees: Environmental Science, Applied Linguistics, Educational Psychology (excluding School Psychology), Educational Studies.

What if BSU falls outside of the eligibility to use the RUI designation?

If Ball State awards more than 20 doctoral degrees in NSF supported areas over 2 academic years, as happened in AY2019/20, then we cannot use the RUI designation when submitting NSF proposals. In addition, cost-share will be required for MRI proposals (Major Research Instrumentation). There may be other NSF designations or programs that are impacted by this criterion. However, to be clear, PIs are still eligible to submit proposals to NSF, they just may not include the RUI designation.

What constitutes an Academic Year?

The Ball State academic year includes the Fall, Spring and Summer (in that order). For example, AY 2020-21 includes Fall 2020, Spring 2021, and Summer 2021. For this reason, the certification of RUI status cannot occur until September, after all doctoral degrees are conferred for the summer.

When will Ball State’s RUI status be announced?

The certification of RUI status will be released no later than September 15 of each year. The status then remains in place for proposals submitted through August 31 of the following year.