NSF-Lemelson Initiative on Environmental and Social Sustainability in Engineering Education
NSF and The Lemelson Foundation fund research to embed environmental and social sustainability into engineering education, supporting curricular innovation and institutional transformation.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: Proposals accepted anytime | For FY consideration: April 30 annually
Funding Amounts: Typical awards up to $350,000 over 36 months; larger budgets require prior approval.
Summary: Supports research and curricular transformation to embed environmental and social sustainability in engineering education.
Key Information: Proposals must be submitted to the Research in the Formation of Engineers (RFE) program and reference the NLI topic.
Description
This initiative, a collaboration between the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and The Lemelson Foundation, seeks to transform engineering education by integrating environmental and social sustainability principles across curricula. The program supports research on curricular change, development and dissemination of evidence-based approaches, and institutional transformation efforts that engage multiple stakeholders. Projects may focus on designing and propagating educational interventions, building capacity and networks for sustainability, and assessing the effectiveness of these efforts, with a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. The ultimate aim is to equip future engineers with the skills, mindsets, and knowledge necessary to address sustainability challenges in their careers and innovations.
