Upward Bound Math-Science

Program Office: Federal TRIO Programs
CFDA Number: 84.047M
Program Type: Discretionary/Competitive Grants
Also Known As: Upward Bound, TRIO (This is one of eight TRIO programs)

The Upward Bound Math and Science program is designed to strengthen the math and science skills of participating students. The goal of the program is to help students recognize and develop their potential to excel in math and science and to encourage them to pursue postsecondary degrees in math and science, and ultimately careers in the math and science profession.

Program services include: summer programs with intensive math and science training; year-round counseling and advisement; exposure to university faculty members who do research in mathematics and the sciences; computer training; and participant-conducted scientific research under the guidance of faculty members or graduate students, who are serving as mentors; education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy of students; and programs and activities previously mentioned that are specially designed for students who are limited English proficient, students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, students with disabilities, students who are homeless children and youths, students who are in foster care or are aging out of foster care system or other disconnected students.

Services provided by the program include:

• Exposure to academic programs and cultural events
• Instruction in reading, writing, study skills, and other subjects necessary for success in education beyond high school
• Academic, financial, or personal counseling
• Tutorial services
• Mentoring programs
• Information on postsecondary education opportunities
• Assistance in completing college entrance and financial aid applications
• Assistance in preparing for college entrance exams
• Information on the full range of Federal Student Financial Aid programs and benefits
• Guidance and assistance on secondary school reentry or alternative education programs; entry into general educational development programs or postsecondary education

Who May Apply: (by category) Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), Local Education Agencies (LEAs), Nonprofit Organizations, Other Organizations and/or Agencies, and State Education Agencies (SEAs)

Who May Apply: (specifically) Institutions of higher education, public and private agencies and organizations including community-based organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth, combinations of such institutions, agencies and organizations, and as appropriate to the purposes of the program, secondary schools.

Students must be eligible to participate in the Upward Bound program and must have completed the eighth grade. However, participants do not necessarily have to be participating in a regular Upward Bound program. Two-thirds of all participants must be low-income, potential first-generation college students. The remaining one-third must be low-income or potential first-generation college students.

Timeline

Current competition: FY 2022
Applications available: April 19, 2022
Deadline for transmittal of applications: June 3, 2022

Federal Register Notice

• Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for FY 2022 dated April 19, 2022 | PDF

Current Application

All applicants are required to submit an application online through Grants.gov. Grants.gov is a single access point for over 1,000 grant programs offered by federal and other grant-making agencies.

Through Grants.gov you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the ALN number 84.047M. If you experience problems submitting your application through Grants.gov, refer to the Support page and/or contact the Grants.gov Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. For program-specific questions, contact the program officers below.

If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339. Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the program contact person listed below.

Tips and Assistance

Upward Bound Program Competitive Preference Priority 1: The Department is providing a list of evidence-based practices that are relevant to the Upward Bound Program PDF (100K), Evidence Based Practices PDF (56K), and Practice Guides PDF (92K). This list is not exhaustive. Additional information regarding the What Works Clearinghouse practice guides and intervention reports that could also be relevant is posted on the Department's website at www.ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc. 

In preparation for the FY 2022 Upward Bound Math Science Programs' grant competitions, the Student Service area will conduct webinar pre-application workshops in April 2022. Click here for the Pre-Application Technical Assistance Workshop PowerPoint Presentation Slides.

Application Contacts

Tanisha Hamblin-Johnson, Ed.D, 202-453-6090
Tara Lawrence, 202-453-7297
Megan Singleton, 202-453-7265
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
E-mail: UpwardBound@ed.gov

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FY 2024

Projects funded for 2024-25: PDF (188K)

FY 2023

Projects funded for 2023-24: MS Excel (22K)

FY 2022

Projects funded for 2022-23: MS Excel (22K)

FY 2021

Projects funded for 2021-22: MS Excel (20K)

FY 2020

Projects funded for 2020-21: MS Excel (20K)

FY 2019

Projects funded for 2019-20: MS Excel (21K)

FY 2018

Projects funded for 2018-19: MS Excel (20K)

FY 2017

Projects funded for 2017-18: MS Excel (21K)

FY 2016

Projects funded for 2016-17: MS Excel (48K)

FY 2015

Projects funded for 2015-16: MS Excel (54K) | PDF (280K)

FY 2014

Projects funded for 2014-15: MS Excel (52K) | PDF (271K)

FY 2013

Projects funded for 2013-14: MS Excel (48K)

FY 2012

Projects funded for 2012-13: MS Excel (45K) | PDF (277K)

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FY 2023

Funding allocation: $79,055,767
Number of Awards: 251
Number of Participants: 15,593
Average Award: $314,963
Average Number of Participants: 62
Average Cost per Participant: $5,070

FY 2022

Funding allocation: $73,699,494 
Number of Awards: 241 
Number of Participants: 14,963 
Average Award: $305,807 
Average Number of Participants: 62 
Average Cost per Participant: $4,925

FY 2021

Funding allocation: $64,843,908
Number of Awards: 212
Number of Participants: 13,184
Average Award: $305,867
Average Number of Participants: 62
Average Cost per Participant: $4,918

FY 2020

Funding allocation: $65,439,438
Number of Awards:  212
Number of Participants: 13,184
Average Award: $308,677
Average Number of Participants: 62
Average Cost per Participant: $4,964

FY 2019

Funding allocation: $63,521,110
Number of Awards: 212
Number of Participants: 13,184
Average Award: $299,628
Average Number of Participants : 62
Average Cost per Participant: $4,818

FY 2018

Funding Allocation for UBMS: $67,687,618
Number of Awards: 212
Number of Participants: 13,184
Average Award: $319,281
Average Number of Participants: 62
Average Cost per Participant: $5,134

FY 2017

Funding Allocation for UBMS: $58,256,458
Number of Awards: 211
Number of Participants: 13,132
Average Award: $276,097
Average Number of Participants: 62
Average Cost per Participant: $4,436

FY 2016

Funding Allocation for UBMS: $44,289,274
Number of Awards: 162
Number of Participants: 10,176
Average Award: $273,391
Average Number of Participants: 63
Average Cost per Participant: $4,352

FY 2015

Funding Allocation for UBMS: $43,050,368
Number of Awards: 162
Number of Participants: 10,034
Average Award: $265,743
Average Number of Participants: 62
Average Cost per Participant: $4,290

FY 2014

Funding Allocation for UBMS: $43,083,035
Number of Awards: 162
Number of Participants: 10,034
Average Award: $265,945
Average Number of Participants: 62
Average Cost per Participant: $4,294

FY 2013

Funding Allocation for UBMS: $40,547,999
Number of Awards: 162
Number of Participants: 9,676
Average Award: $250,296
Average Number of Participants: 60
Average Cost per Participant: $4,191

FY 2012

Funding Allocation for UBMS: $44,141,410
Number of Awards: 166
Number of Participants: 10,265
Average Award: $265,912
Average Number of Participants: 62
Average Cost per Participant: $4,300

FY 2011

Funding Allocation for UBMS: $33,812,442
Number of Awards: 131
Number of Participants: 6,992
Average Award: $258,110
Average Number of Participants: 53
Average Cost per Participant: $4,836

Legislation

• Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended; Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter 1, Sec. 402C
• 20 U.S.C. 1070a-13 MS Word (217K) | PDF (188K)

Regulations

• Official Final Regulations Amending TRIO Regulations, as published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2010. These final regulations amend the Upward Bound-Math Science program regulations. [ HTML ]
• Title 34 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 645
• Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR, Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99

Guidance

• Uniform Guidance Information for ED Grantees -- Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards: The Department has worked closely with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to streamline some federal circulars into a single guidance document, and make conforming changes to Department regulations. The old rules do not change — they are simply repackaged and enhanced to reduce burden on grantees. The new combined document is known as the "Uniform Guidance" and is codified at 2 CFR 200. The new guidance will take effect for recipients of Federal funds for awards made on or after December 26, 2014. The new regulations do not impact any Department of Education awards received prior to this date. 

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• Current Low-Income Levels
• Prior-Year Low-Income Levels
• Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Applicant and Grantee Resources

Key Staff

Sharon Easterling
Division Director, (202) 453-7624
Sharon.Easterling@ed.gov

Mailing Address:

Federal TRIO Programs
U.S. Department of Education, OPE
Higher Education Programs
Upward Bound/Upward Bound Math-Science
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
5th Floor
Washington, DC 20202
E-mail: OPE_TRIO@ed.gov

Student Service Organization

Staff State Assignments 

Reports

• Postsecondary Degree Completion Rates Among Students on the Upward Bound/Upward Bound Math-Science to Student Support Services Pathway PDF (957KB)
• Fast Facts Report for the Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science Programs: 2017 — 18  
• Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science Programs Postsecondary Outcomes Report PDF (3.23MB) 
• Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science Program Outcomes for Participants Expected to Graduate High School in 2004-05, With Supporting Data From 2005-06 PDF (256K) | MS Word (1.37MB) 
• A Profile of the Upward Bound Program: 2000-2001 MS Word (2.5MB) | PDF (1MB) 
• The Impact of Regular Upward Bound: Results from the Third Follow-up Data Collection (2004) 

Frequently Asked Questions

Select a link below to jump to the relevant page section.

1. What is the purpose of the Upward Bound Math and Science Program?
2. What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
3. How often are competitions generally held?
4. What is the duration of the average grant?
5. What is the average annual grant amount?
6. Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee's match?
7. What are the reporting requirements for grantees? What kind of records and data should be maintained or collected in order to complete required reports?
8. What are the requirements for auditing and/or evaluation of funded projects?
9. Are there program-wide performance measures?
10. What are a few concrete examples of allowable activities?

1. What is the purpose of the Upward Bound Math and Science Program?
 

The purpose of the Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) Program is to prepare high school students for postsecondary education programs that lead to careers in the fields of math and science.

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2. What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
 

An UBMS project must provide the following services:

• Academic tutoring to enable students to complete secondary or postsecondary courses, which may include instruction in reading, writing, study skills, mathematics, science, and other subjects;
• Advice and assistance in secondary and postsecondary course selection;
• Assistance in preparing for college entrance examinations and completing college admission applications;
• Information on the full range of Federal student financial aid programs and benefits (including Federal Pell Grant awards and loan forgiveness) and resources for locating public and private scholarships; and assistance in completing financial aid applications, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid;
• Guidance on and assistance in secondary school reentry; alternative education programs for secondary school dropouts that lead to the receipt of a regular secondary school diploma, entry into general educational development (GED) programs or entry into postsecondary education;
• Education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy of students or the students' parents, including financial planning for postsecondary education;
• Any project that has received funds under this part for at least two years must include as part of its core curriculum in the next and succeeding years, instruction in mathematics through pre-calculus, laboratory science, foreign language, composition and literature;
• Intensive instruction in mathematics and science, including hands-on experience in laboratories, in computer facilities, and at field-sites;
• Activities that will provide participants with opportunities to learn from mathematicians and scientists who are engaged in research and teaching at the applicant institution, or who are engaged in research or applied science at hospitals, governmental laboratories, or other public and private agencies;
• Activities that will involve participants with graduate and undergraduate science and mathematics majors who may serve as tutors and counselors for participants;
• A summer instructional component that is designed to simulate a college-going experience that is at least six weeks in length and includes daily coursework and other activities;
• A summer bridge component consisting of math- and science-related coursework for those participants who have completed high school and intend on enrolling in an institution of higher education in the following fall term; and
• An academic year component designed by the applicant to enhance achievement of project objectives in the most cost-effective way taking into account the distances involved in reaching participants in the project's target area.

An UBMS project may provide the following services:

• Exposure to cultural events, academic programs, and other activities not usually available to disadvantaged youth;
• Information, activities, and instruction designed to acquaint youth participating in the project with the range of career options available to the youth;
• On-campus residential programs;
• Mentoring programs involving elementary school or secondary school teachers or counselors, faculty members at institutions of higher education, students, or any combination of these persons;
• Work-study positions where youth participating in the project are exposed to careers requiring a postsecondary degree; and
• Programs and activities as described under required services that are specially designed for participants who are limited English proficient, participants from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, participants who are individuals with disabilities, participants who are homeless children and youths, participants in or who are aging out of foster care, or other disconnected participants.

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3. How often are competitions generally held?
 

The UBMS Program competition is held every four years.

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4. What is the duration of the average grant?
 

All UBMS grants are funded for five-year grant award cycles.

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5. What is the average annual grant amount?
 

The average UBMS grant award amount is $258,749.

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6. Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee's match?
 

The UBMS Program does not require cost sharing or matching.

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7. What are the reporting requirements for grantees? What kind of records and data should be maintained or collected in order to complete required reports?
 

All UBMS Program grantees are required to submit an annual performance report documenting the progress being made towards meeting the approved objectives. Additionally, each grantee must maintain records to determine participant's eligibility, services being provided to the participant, educational progress of the participant through high school and the pursuit of a postsecondary education program, and any services a participant may receive from other TRIO programs or another federally funded program serving populations with similar backgrounds.

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8. What are the requirements for auditing and/or evaluation of funded projects?
 

Any non-federal entities expending $500,000 or more a year in federal awards are required to conduct an A-133 audit. UBMS grantees must have an evaluation plan in place that supports formative and summative evaluation measures as outlined in the program regulations.

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9. Are there program-wide performance measures?
 

The success of the UBMS Program is measured by the percentage of low-income, first-generation college students who successfully pursue and complete postsecondary education.

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10. What are a few concrete examples of allowable activities?
 

A few examples of concrete allowable activities include, but are not limited to:

An UBMS project must provide participants with a summer instructional component that is designed to stimulate a college-going experience for participants. Also, UBMS projects must provide intensive instruction in mathematics and science, including hands-on experience in laboratories, in computer facilities, and at field-sites. Additional activities include exposure to cultural events, academic programs, and other activities not usually available to disadvantaged youth.

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