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, 2024 Ball State is eligible because in AY 2021-22 and AY 2022-23 combined, the University awarded a total of 12 PhD degrees in the following NSF-supported fields:

  • Environmental Science (PHD-ENS)
  • Applied Linguistics (PHD-ENG-APLI)
  • Educational Psychology (PHD-EDPT) *Note: Excluding School Psychology
  • Educational Studies (PHD-EDSD)
Frequently Asked Questions

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 through the funding of: 

  • 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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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 Augusts 31 of the following year.