Engineering Research Initiation
Grant Opportunity Analysis
The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Engineering is seeking proposals for the Engineering Research Initiation program to build engineering research capacity across the nation. Awardees will conduct foundational engineering research, supporting new academic investigators as they initiate their research programs and advance in their careers. To broaden the base of engineering research, the opportunity is limited to new investigators holding doctoral degrees who are affiliated with institutions of higher education not classified as R1 "Very High Research Activity" institutions. Proposals must be submitted by the close date of October 9, 2026, to compete for awards starting at a floor of $200,000 from an estimated total program funding of $11,000,000.
Eligible Applicants
*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: - <span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW158288404 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158288404 BCX0">In line with the program goals, ERI welcomes the submission of proposals to this funding opportunity from Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) not currently classified as a Doctoral University with “Very High Research Activity” (R1 institutions) according to the 2021 Carnegie Classification:<a class="sharedcomments-hyperlink" title="https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/" tabindex="0" href="https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" data-hyperlink="{"url":"https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/"}">https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/</a></span><span class="NormalTextRun CommentHighlightPipeRest SCXW158288404 BCX0">. These include two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158288404 BCX0">located</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158288404 BCX0"> in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Eligibility is based on Classification on the date of proposal submission deadline. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW158288404 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158288404 BCX0">NSF encourages</span></span><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW158288404 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158288404 BCX0">su</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158288404 BCX0">b</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158288404 BCX0">m</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158288404 BCX0">issions from</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158288404 BCX0">Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs)</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158288404 BCX0"> and two-year colleges</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW158288404 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158288404 BCX0">, and</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158288404 BCX0"> institutions</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158288404 BCX0">in</span></span><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW158288404 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW158288404 BCX0">EPSCoR</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158288404 BCX0">jurisdictions</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158288404 BCX0">.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW158288404 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559740":240}"></span> *Who May Serve as PI: The PI of an ERI proposal must hold a doctoral degree in a field supported by NSF and must hold an appointment at an ERI-eligible institution. Postdoctoral fellow researchers are not eligible to serve as PI on an ERI proposal. At the time of the proposal submission deadline,the PI maynothave been a PI or Co-PI on any current or prior awarded NSF research grant (including subaward) or have had research support
Grant Documents
No documents available for this grant.