Engineering Research Initiation
This NSF grant supports early-career engineering researchers at non-R1 institutions to help them start and grow their research careers.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: October 9, 2024 | September 16, 2025 | October 9, 2026
Funding Amounts: Up to $200,000 per award for 24 months; total program funding estimated at $11 million; ~55 awards anticipated.
Summary: Supports new academic investigators at non-R1 institutions in initiating independent engineering research programs.
Key Information: Only for faculty at U.S. institutions not classified as "very high research activity" (R1); prior major federal research funding disqualifies PIs.
Description
This opportunity from the NSF Directorate for Engineering (ENG) aims to build engineering research capacity across the U.S. by supporting new academic investigators who have not yet received significant federal research funding. The program is specifically for faculty at institutions not classified as "very high research activity" (R1) according to the 2021 Carnegie Classification. The award is intended to help new investigators launch independent research programs, enhance the research environment at their institutions, and position themselves for future competitive research funding. The program strongly encourages proposals from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs), two-year colleges, and institutions in EPSCoR jurisdictions.
