Research in the Formation of Engineers
This NSF grant supports research and projects to enhance the formation of engineers through innovative and inclusive practices for the 21st century.
Funder: National Science Foundation
Due Dates: Proposals accepted anytime
Funding Amounts: Typical award: $350,000 over 36 months; larger budgets require prior program officer approval
Summary: Supports research and development projects to advance understanding and practice of professional formation in engineering, fostering innovation and inclusivity in the field.
Key Information: Proposals must be submitted in accordance with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide; titles must begin with "Research:" or "Design and Development:" as appropriate.
Description
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Directorate's initiative on the Professional Formation of Engineers (PFE) aims to create and support an innovative, inclusive engineering profession for the 21st century. This program supports research and development projects that deepen our understanding of how engineers are formed—through both formal and informal processes—and how these processes can be transformed to meet national priorities, workforce needs, and societal challenges.
The program welcomes proposals in two categories:
- Research Projects: Address fundamental questions about the professional formation of engineers.
- Design and Development Projects: Develop and test new approaches to engineer formation.
Projects should describe how their results will be translated into practice and scaled, identifying target audiences, communication channels, and partnerships for effective dissemination.
