STEPFORWARD is a geospatial tool built on Google Maps API to identify minority serving institutions (MSIs), primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) and non-R1 institutions within a geographical radius of travel. Higher Education R&D data highlights institutions active in research fields of interest.

The tool enables 2DCC researchers and the broader community to identify a diverse range of institutions for outreach visits and research interactions. The 2DCC supports visits to these institutions as part of a travel extension program.