A Message from the NSF Assistant Director for Engineering

Dear Engineering Community,

With the start of 2025, the U.S. National Science Foundation continues to support exciting engineering research and education projects that will power our economy and strengthen our nation's health and security.

In the past month, the NSF Directorate for Engineering (NSF ENG) has invested in new projects to advance semiconductors, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, manufacturing and more. This fiscal year we have already invested in groundbreaking ideas in 38 states and the District of Columbia.

Most of our awards are supported through engineering core programs — the discovery mainstay of NSF ENG. Core programs support engineering creativity and discovery across disciplines and topics, and they accept proposals at any time. They fund multiyear research projects, conferences, short-term exploratory research (EAGER), and industry collaboration (GOALI). See more proposal mechanisms available for consideration. 

When you have a great research idea, I encourage you to look into ENG core programs for support. Our program directors welcome you to reach out to them to discuss your brief project concept.

Best wishes,

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

Keep up to date

Learn about NSF's implementation of recent executive orders. Questions and answers are updated regularly on our website.

News and Events

AI pioneers Andrew Barto and Richard Sutton win 2024 Turing Award for reinforcement learning NSF funded Barto's research journey from basic science and engineering to breakthroughs in AI.

Biofabricating human tissues enhanced through use of gallium A team at Boston University and the Wyss Institute at Harvard University has pioneered the use of gallium, a metal that can be molded at room temperature, to create tissue structures in various shapes and sizes.

Superalloys resist wear at nearly forge-level heat using new process Nickel-based spinel oxides show exceptional self-lubrication at extreme temperatures, unlocking potential for aerospace and energy applications.

Get more Engineering News

Did you know?

NSF supports paid, six-month graduate research internships in non-academic settings through the NSF Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (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.
• Other federal agencies.

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