NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award
Grant Opportunity Analysis
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is offering the Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (TRAILBLAZER), a federal grant aimed at supporting individual investigators in proposing innovative research projects that address significant national needs or grand challenges. This program encourages novel research in priority areas such as artificial intelligence, bioengineering, quantum engineering, robotics, and nuclear engineering, with a total estimated funding of $15 million available. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations and institutions of higher education, with specific requirements for principal investigators, including a tenured or tenure-eligible faculty appointment in an engineering discipline. Proposals must be submitted by July 24, 2026, and interested parties can find more information and support by contacting NSF grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov or visiting the NSF website.
Eligible Applicants
*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus. *Who May Serve as PI: The PI must hold a tenured or tenure-eligible faculty appointment at the Associate or Full Professor rank or equivalent at an organization that is eligible to submit as described under "Who May Submit Proposals." Additionally, the PI must have an appointment in an Engineering School or College and/or have earned an Engineering Doctorate degree. If the proposal is submitted by a non-profit, non-academic organization, the PI must meet the following requirements: (1) the PI has a continuing appointment that is expected to last the 3 years of a TRAILBLAZER award; and (2) the appointment has substantial research responsibilities. Prior or concurrent funding support for other projects that overlap with the proposed TRAILBLAZER project will preclude eligibility for a TRAILBLAZER award. Only single PI TRAILBLAZER proposals will be accepted in response to this solicitation.Collaborative proposals,as described in PAPPG ChapterII.E.3.a.andII.E.3.b,are not allowed.Any proposal submittedwith subawards,or as separate submissions from multiple organizations,will be returned without review.