Engineering Research Initiation
This NSF grant supports early-career engineering researchers at non-R1 institutions to help them start and grow their research careers.
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Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: October 9, 2024 (Full proposal) | September 16, 2025 (Full proposal) | October 9, 2026 (Full proposal) | September 16, 2027 (Full proposal)
Funding Amounts: $200,000 award floor; $11 million total program funding; 24-month awards
Summary: ERI supports new academic investigators at non-R1 institutions as they initiate fundamental engineering research programs.
Key Information: PIs must meet prior federal research funding limits, verified in a Department Chair’s or Dean’s letter.
Description
The Engineering Research Initiation (ERI) program is administered by NSF’s Directorate for Engineering to build engineering research capacity across the nation. It supports new academic investigators who have not yet received sufficient federal research funding, helping them initiate research programs and advance as researchers, educators, and innovators. The program broadens the engineering research community by focusing on investigators at institutions outside the Carnegie “Very High Research Activity” R1 classification.
ERI funds fundamental research that improves an institution’s research and scientific training environment and establishes a foundation for sustained research contributions. Activities may catalyze partnerships, disseminate findings, and prepare investigators for future grant competitions. Proposals must align with participating engineering programs. NSF particularly encourages submissions from Primarily Undergraduate Institutions, two-year colleges, and institutions in EPSCoR jurisdictions.
