[U.S. National Science Foundation](https://www.nsf.gov/)

Proposals accepted anytime

Estimated total program funding: $5,600,000 | Typical award: ~$350,000 over 36 months

Supports research and development of innovative approaches to the professional formation and education of engineers across all career stages and settings.

--- ## Description This program, offered by the NSF Engineering Directorate, aims to advance understanding and innovation in the professional formation of engineers. The initiative targets both the formal and informal processes through which individuals become engineers and supports research that can transform the engineer-formation system to meet national priorities, workforce needs, and ensure inclusivity and accessibility. The program welcomes proposals in two main categories: - **Research Projects:** Fundamental studies on the processes, mechanisms, and broader impacts of professional formation in engineering. - **Design and Development Projects:** Creation and testing of new approaches to engineering education and training, informed by existing literature and theory. Projects should demonstrate how research findings will be translated into practice, scaled, or otherwise broadly impact the engineering profession. --- ## Due Dates - Proposals accepted anytime --- ## Funding Amount - Estimated total program funding: $5,600,000 - Typical award size: ~$350,000 for a duration of 36 months - Proposals exceeding $350,000 require prior consultation with a program officer - No cost-sharing or matching required --- ## Eligibility - Open to all applicant types (“Unrestricted”) - Institutions of higher education, nonprofits, for-profits, and other entities are eligible - Principal Investigators without prior engineering education or social science research experience are encouraged to consider the [Research Initiation in Engineering Formation](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503603) program --- ## Application Process - Proposals must be submitted in accordance with the current NSF [Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) - Submission is through [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359545) or [NSF FastLane/Research.gov](https://www.research.gov/research-web/) - Proposal titles should begin with either “Research:” or “Design and Development:” as appropriate - Projects must include clear objectives, evaluation plans, and a roadmap for broader impact - Review the [Common Guidelines for Education Research and Development](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf13126) for research types and expectations --- ## Additional Information - The program does **not** fund projects whose primary purpose is tool, curriculum, or laboratory development, or the implementation of previously validated classroom innovations. - Projects should address how results will be communicated, transferred, or scaled to target audiences. - The average award is $350,000 for three years, but exploratory or small-scale projects are encouraged. - For budgets above $350,000, contact a program officer before submission. --- ## External Links - [NSF Program Description PD-22-1340](http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505681) - [Grants.gov listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359545) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) - [Common Guidelines for Education Research and Development](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf13126) - [Browse funded projects](https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/advancedSearchResult?ProgEleCode=134000&BooleanElement=Any&BooleanRef=Any&ActiveAwards=true#results) - [FAQ for Engineering Education and Centers' RFE Program](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf15110&org=NSF) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | Organization | |---------------------|---------------------------------|---------------|-------------------| | Jumoke Ladeji-Osias | [jladejio@nsf.gov](mailto:jladejio@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-7708 | ENG/EEC | | NSF Grants.gov Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | — | NSF |

Research in the Formation of Engineers

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