IUSE/Professional Formation of Engineers: Revolutionizing Engineering Departments (IUSE/PFE: RED)
NSF's IUSE/PFE: RED grant funds research-driven transformation of undergraduate engineering departments to integrate technical and professional skills for a stronger, future-ready engineering workforce.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: April 13, 2027 (Track 1) | September 14, 2027 (All tracks)
Funding Amounts: $50,000–$2,000,000 award range; $8,000,000 estimated total program funding
Summary: RED supports revolutionary departmental change that strengthens undergraduate engineers’ technical skills, professional abilities, and engineering identities.
Key Information: The PI must be an empowered department chair/head or, when necessary, a dean, provost, or other senior leader actively leading the project.
Description
NSF’s Revolutionizing Engineering Departments (RED) program funds fundamental organizational, cultural, structural, and pedagogical changes in undergraduate engineering and engineering technology education. Run by the Directorates for Engineering and STEM Education, RED emphasizes the middle two years and technical core of degree programs, connecting foundational courses with capstone experiences. Its goal is revolutionary rather than incremental change that develops students’ technical and professional skills throughout their education.
The program supports planning, adaptation of proven change strategies, new approaches, and cross-institutional innovation partnerships. Work may address departmental structures, faculty incentives and development, industry collaborations, recruitment and retention, or accessible learning approaches. Projects are expected to use a theory of change, engage faculty and other stakeholders, and institutionalize successful initiatives beyond the funding period.
