A Message from the NSF Assistant Director for Engineering

Dear Engineering Community,

As we reflect on the investments of the 2024 fiscal year, we take pride in supporting over 1,400 proposals from more than 300 institutions for high-impact engineering research, education, infrastructure, training, and conferences. To highlight just a few examples:

• I am excited to announce four new NSF Engineering Research Centers. The new ERCs will develop technologies to tackle the carbon challenge, expand physical capabilities, make heating and cooling more sustainable and enable the U.S. supply and manufacturing of natural rubber. We hope the engineering community will again send great ideas for the next ERC competition, with new center awards in 2026.
• We awarded the inaugural TRAILBLAZER grants for groundbreaking engineering ideas. Letters of Intent for our new TRAILBLAZER solicitation are due November 15.
• Through a special call for future clean energy technologies research, we invested more than $26.5 million in 4 conferences, 19 RAISE awards, and 24 EAGER projects.
• We funded $14 million in bioengineered systems and ethical biocomputing research through our Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation program.
• Of the approximately 200 sites funded this year, we supported 20 new Research Experiences for Undergraduates sites related to microelectronics and semiconductors, and 9 of these REU sites are co-funded by the Semiconductor Research Corporation.

The Engineering Directorate continues to prioritize research infrastructure. The community’s input informed our plan for supporting the next 10 years of the NSF Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI). Please keep an eye out for the new NHERI funding opportunity later this year.

Finally, I encourage you -- researchers from every state and territory and from any eligible institution -- to send us your exciting ideas. Many NSF Engineering programs accept proposals all year long, and we welcome submissions from any institution of higher education (see PAPPG I.E for details), including HBCUs, primarily undergraduate institutions, and institutions in EPSCoR locations.

Reach out to program directors in the Directorate for Engineering with your questions, and we will help you find the right program that aligns with your exciting ideas for engineering research and education.

Best wishes,

Susan Margulies, Ph.D.
NSF Assistant Director for Engineering

Did You Know?

NSF supports paid, six-month graduate research internships in non-academic settings through the NSF INTERN program.

Since 2017, NSF INTERN has offered supplemental funding to broaden research opportunities and support careers in industry, government, or any sector of the U.S. economy.

NSF partners with other agencies to expand opportunities and research settings:

• Air Force Research Laboratory
• Army Combat Capabilities Development Command
• Department of Energy
• National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
• And others

News and Events

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A window into the body: Groundbreaking technique makes skin transparent Using common food dye, NSF-funded researchers make skin, muscle safely and reversibly transparent

Building quantum research infrastructure NSF invests in new quantum nanofabrication research infrastructure and National Quantum Virtual Lab pilot projects

Get more Engineering News

Tips for a Strong Proposal

Most ENG awards are for unsolicited ideas that come to our core programs, rather than specific solicitations.

• Find potential programs that fit your research ideas by reading the program descriptions.
• Email program directors a brief description of your project idea to see if it fits their program.
• Volunteer to review proposals to learn about what makes a strong one.

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