Professional Formation of Engineers
This grant supports projects that improve engineering education and training through formal and informal pathways, aiming to build an ethical, adaptable, and globally competitive engineering workforce.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: Rolling (proposals accepted anytime) | October 6, 2076 (listed closing date)
Funding Amounts: Grant funding; no cost sharing or matching required
Summary: Supports research integrating engineering and education to improve engineers’ training and develop an ethical, adaptable, globally competitive workforce.
Key Information: NSF directs applicants to submit through Research.gov using NSF 24-1, rather than Grants.gov.
Description
The Professional Formation of Engineers (PFE) initiative at NSF integrates engineering research and education to improve and expand the nation’s engineering workforce. Professional formation encompasses the formal and informal processes and value systems through which people become engineers. The initiative aims to develop an ethical workforce with a global outlook, able to adapt to rapidly evolving technologies, support emerging industries, and compete internationally.
PFE supports projects in the ENGINEER program studying current and future engineers’ training across classrooms, maker spaces, clubs, workplaces, internships, community experiences, and research laboratories. Work can examine mentor–mentee relationships, large-scale online learning, or professional development. The program emphasizes clear pathways into and through engineering, including apprenticeships, credentialing, licensure, and transitions within and between academia and industry. Understanding and improving these systems requires expertise in engineering and the social sciences.
