A Message from NSF Engineering Leadership

The U.S. National Science Foundation serves the American public as an engine of the nation's research enterprise. NSF's mission is the same today as it was at its founding in 1950: to advance the progress of science, promote the national health, prosperity and welfare, and secure the national defense.

NSF will continue to invest in bold research and innovation in the service of the American people. This includes transformational investments in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum information science and biotechnology.

To help keep America at the forefront of science, engineering and technology, NSF is making changes designed to increase the agency's efficiency and effectiveness.

First, NSF has launched streamlined Merit Review processes as part of a comprehensive approach to streamlining work and reducing administrative burden while maintaining the rigor of the merit review process. The goal is to reduce the workload of program staff and reduce demands on the research community.

Second, NSF is changing how the agency is structured for greater efficiency and responsiveness. This restructuring was announced on December 15. As a result, the NSF Directorate for Engineering (NSF ENG) is changing its four divisions into four sections. These sections (CBET, CMMI, ECCS, and EEC) will continue to support world-class research across engineering fields.

In the coming months, we plan to post broad core funding opportunities for NSF ENG sections, similar to our current core programs, which will accept proposals at any time. The new core programs will provide more flexibility for innovative ideas and encourage more novel and interdisciplinary proposals.

Whenever you are ready, we welcome your creative engineering research ideas.

We have expanded partnerships with the U.S. Air Force and the U.K. Research and Innovation. We established new Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers on end-of-life solutions for packaging, on accurate georeferencing, and on digital twins for manufacturing. And we just posted the new NSF TRAILBLAZER opportunity.

The NSF Engineering Directorate continues to invest in transformative ideas for engineering research and education.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly at dmillard@nsf.gov. I wish you all a healthy, happy, and fulfilling holiday season.

Sincerely,

Don Millard, Ph.D.
Directorate Head, NSF Directorate for Engineering

Did You Know?

One of the best ways to learn about NSF Merit Review and what makes a strong NSF proposal is to become a reviewer. To become a reviewer for ENG programs, start by completing the recruitment form.

Five ENG Highlights in FY 2025

Early-Career: NSF ENG funded approximately 90 Engineering Research Initiation awards and 250 Faculty Early Career Development awards to help launch the research careers of promising engineering faculty across the U.S.

Artificial intelligence: NSF invested $14 million in seven new projects to develop novel computing approaches using biological systems that can process information, learn and solve problems. These teams will accelerate the nation's development of advanced artificial intelligence and biotechnology. The projects are funded through the ENG Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation program.

Biotechnology: NSF has invested more than $3 million in seven new projects that aim to reduce the costs of bio-based manufacturing, enhance process efficiency, and develop innovative biotechnologies and bio-based products that will support the U.S. economy. Through the NSF partnership with BioMADE, the researchers are able to collaborate with small and medium-sized companies actively engaged in bioprocess development and commercialization.

Quantum engineering: ENG and the Air Force Research Laboratory jointly invested in two $3-million awards to advance quantum systems. The teams will develop new approaches (using time-periodic fields) to create, control and conserve fragile quantum states on demand, which will allow the transformational capabilities promised by quantum science for real-world applications.

Semiconductors: ENG and Intel jointly invested $10.5 million in seven new projects for fundamental research on heterogeneous integration of innovative semiconductor systems using advanced packaging. This research will drive future communication, computing, sensing, energy and other applications.

NSF TRAILBLAZER Webinar

The NSF Office of Emerging Frontiers and Multidisciplinary Activities will host an informational webinar on Jan. 13, 2026, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern to discuss the NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (NSF TRAILBLAZER) solicitation NSF 26-502 and to answer questions from prospective applicants. 

40 Years of Engineering Innovation

The NSF Engineering Research Centers (ERC) program celebrates 40 years in 2025. ERC innovations have pushed the forefront of defibrillators, digital images, synthetic biology and many other technologies that have become part of our lives. Learn about ERC innovations. 

NSF Directorate for Engineering

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