Engineering
The Directorate for Engineering (ENG) seeks
to enhance the long-term economic strength,
security, and quality of life of the Nation by
fostering innovation, creativity, and excellence
in engineering education and research. The
directorate's strategy is to promote the natural
synergy among engineering education,
fundamental research, and the application of
technical knowledge. ENG increasingly seeks to
focus and integrate education and research in
interdisciplinary areas such as design and
manufacturing, information and communication
technologies, environmental research, and
biotechnology. These efforts will develop
creative people with new, fundamental
knowledge required to meet the challenges of
the 21st century, including the revitalization of
the Nation's deteriorating infrastructure and
development of the advanced manufacturing
and processing methods needed to strengthen
the competitive position of U.S. industry.
ENG's investment strategy is one of
maintaining an appropriate balance among
overlapping needs, such as fundamental
research in pursuit of new knowledge for its
own sake and for its strategic importance to the
Nation, mature and emerging fields of research,
and disciplinary and cross-disciplinary research.
This balance is based on conscious policy and
priorities developed through ENG's strategic
planning process. Overall, NSF provides about
30 percent of the total Federal support for
engineering research at U.S. universities and
colleges.
The specific goals of the Directorate for
Engineering are as follows:
- To improve the quality of engineering
education and the attraction and
retention of students to yield well-
educated, professionally oriented
engineers who are able to assume broad
leadership roles in society.
- To foster intellectual growth and
technological advances by supporting
leading-edge research in the engineering
disciplines, at disciplinary interfaces, and
in multidisciplinary areas.
- To encourage integration and synergy
among education and research, the fields
of science and engineering, and research
and practical applications.
- To capitalize on the rich diversity of
human resources by increasing the
number of women, underrepresented
minorities, and persons with disabilities
who participate fully in engineering
education, research, and practice.
- To promote new partnerships and
cooperation among the diverse
engineering constituencies, including
academe, industry, other Federal
agencies, and other nations.
To accomplish its objectives, the Directorate for
Engineering seeks a balance in the programs it
supports among individual-investigator research
projects, group projects, and research center
programs; between mature fields and emerging
fields; between knowledge-driven fields and
experience-driven fields; and between
cross-disciplinary and disciplinary research.
NSF's engineering programs address the overall
health of engineering research and education,
in contrast to the focused agendas of mission
agencies. Other agencies that support significant
amounts of academic engineering research are
the Department of Defense (DOD), the
Department of Energy (DOE), and the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA).
The Directorate's six divisions are as follows:
The Bioengineering and Environmental Systems
(BES) Division is concerned with expanding the
knowledge base of bioengineering; extending
engineering methodologies to the solution of
problems in the biological and medical
sciences; employing biological principles for the
development of innovative engineering methods
and systems; improving our ability to apply
engineering principles to correct problems that
impair the usefulness of land, air, and water;
and exploring basic engineering concepts in the
development, conservation, and use of ocean
resources and systems.
The Civil and Mechanical Systems (CMS)
Division seeks to improve and expand
fundamental engineering knowledge in the
broad areas of mechanics, structures, geomedia,
constructed systems and construction, and
industrial materials engineering. It also seeks to
develop a basic engineering understanding of
potentially destructive natural phenomena such
as earthquakes, floods, sea level rise,
greenhouse effects, expanding and collapsing
soils, destructive winds, landslides, tsunamis,
and storm surges, and techniques to mitigate
their impacts on society. Research is supported
that will improve existing construction and
industrial processes and create new technology
in areas such as the formulation and processing
of innovative engineering materials,
management of contaminant transport in
geomedia, development of underground space,
the performance and service life of machines
and equipment, and more efficient construction
techniques for large-scale structures.
The Chemical and Transport Systems (CTS)
Division funds research that strengthens the
engineering base for manufacturing
technologies involving chemical, thermal, and
flow processes. These processes are important
in areas such as microelectronics, specialty
chemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy production
and thermal transfer, molecular engineering of
advanced materials, chemical processing of
hazardous waste, and environmentally benign
chemical processes.
The Division of Design, Manufacture, and
Industrial Innovation (DMII)has the dual
purpose to develop and expand the intellectual
foundations of design and manufacturing
systems, and to support research that can affect
U.S. industrial productivity. The first goal is
met through outreach to the academic
community and research support thereto in the
areas of design, manufacturing systems,
manufacturing equipment, manufacturing
processes, management of technological
innovation, operations research, and production
systems. The second goal is met through
outreach to the small business community
engaged in research in engineering, science, and
education. Support to this community aims to
improve the speed and efficiency with which the
results of research and technology are
commercialized and introduced to the
marketplace.
TheElectrical and Communications Systems
(ECS) Divisionsupports fundamental
engineering research and educational activities
in the conceptualization, analysis, design, and
fabrication of materials, devices, systems, and
phenomena that involve electrical, electronic,
micro-electromechanical, and optical
technologies. Also supported is research on
analytical methods and computational
algorithms for modeling, optimization, and
control of engineering systems, including large-
scale nonlinear systems. Emphasis is placed on
creativity in approach as well as advancement
of the field.
The Engineering Education and Centers (EEC)
Divisionseeks to enhance U.S. economic well-
being and industrial competitiveness through
new paradigms to improve the quality of the
Nation's engineering research and education. Its
programs emphasize engineering practice
through the cross-disciplinary team approach;
systems integration; industrial linkages; and
curriculum, classroom, and laboratory
innovations. The objective is to yield well-
rounded, professionally oriented engineers with
a global outlook and the ability to assume
leadership roles in industry, academe, and
society.
Eligibility
The most frequent recipients of support for
research are academic institutions, although
awards are occasionally made to profitmaking
organizations, individuals, and government
agencies at all levels.
Most awards result from unsolicited research
proposals, which should be prepared according
to the guidelines set forth in the Grant Proposal
Guide (GPG) (NSF 94-2). In addition to the
proposal format described in the GPG,
investigators should include a separate section
that describes the impacts of the proposed
research. This section should discuss potential
new discoveries or advances that are expected
as a result of the research and the specific
contributions the proposed work will make
toward expanding or developing the knowledge
and technology base. Reviewers are being asked
to provide specific comments on this aspect of
the research, including the principal
investigator's own assessment of the potential
contributions. Proposers are also asked to
comment on the results from their research
previously funded by NSF.
Deadlines and Target Dates
For regular research programs, submit
proposals at any time. Those received too late
for review in a particular fiscal year (which
ends September 30) are considered in the
following year if the program is continued. If a
specific start date for the project is important,
clearly explain the circumstances and allow at
least six months' lead time for review and
processing.
For the special programs described above, refer
to the NSF Bulletin for deadlines and target
dates.
For More Information
For further information, contact the Systems
Analyst, Directorate for Engineering, National
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard,
Arlington, Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1300.
This division is concerned with expanding the
knowledge base of bioengineering; extending
engineering methodologies to the solution of
problems in the biological and medical
sciences; employing biological principles for the
development of innovative engineering methods
and systems; improving our ability to apply
engineering principles to correct problems that
impair the usefulness of land, air, and water;
and exploring basic engineering concepts in the
development, conservation, and use of ocean
resources and systems.
Areas of Research
- Bioengineering--The four categories in
which research is conducted in this
program are as follows:
- Biochemical Engineering--Supports
the research and development of
traditional fermentation and
recombinant DNA processes for
manufacturing substances of biological
origin. Projects are supported that utilize
biological microorganisms for the
transformation of organic, raw materials
(biomass) into useful products, and for
the process engineering of foods.
Downstream processing is becoming
increasingly important as new advances
in separation and purification
technologies accelerate. Process
integration, optimization, and design
utilizing advanced monitoring and
control methods are also very important.
- Biotechnology--Links the expertise of
engineering with the life sciences in
order to provide a fundamental basis for
the economical manufacturing of
substances of biological origin. Engineers
working together with life scientists on
group projects are supported by this part
of the program. Synergy among the
various disciplines in these types of
projects is a very important evaluation
criterion. Topic areas include, but are
not limited to, cell culture systems;
bioreactor design; separation and
purification processes; monitoring and
control methods; and process integration,
optimization, and design.
- Biomedical Engineering--Supports
fundamental engineering research that
has the potential to contribute to
improved health care and the reduction
of health care costs. Areas of interest
include, but are not limited to,
fundamental improvements in deriving
information from cells, tissues, organs,
and organ systems; extraction of useful
information from complex biomedical
signals; new approaches to the design of
structures and materials for eventual
medical use; and new methods for
controlling living systems.
- Research to Aid Persons with
Disabilities--Is directed toward the
characterization, restoration, and/or
substitution of normal functions in
humans. Emphasis is placed on the
advancement of fundamental engineering
knowledge rather than on product
development. The program anticipates
the research will lead to the
development of new technologies or the
novel application of existing
technologies. Undergraduate design
projects are supported that provide
prototype "custom-designed" devices and
software for persons with mental and/or
physical disabilities.
- Environmental and Ocean Systems--
Activities in this program are conducted
under the following two categories:
- Environmental Systems--Supports
research with the objective of discovering
and learning how to apply engineering
principles to reduce adverse effects of
solid, liquid, and gaseous discharges to
land, water, and air that impair their
resource values. The program also
supports research on innovative
biological, chemical, and physical
processes used alone or as components
of engineered systems to restore the
usefulness of polluted land, water, and
air resources.
- Ocean Systems--Seeks to advance
fundamental engineering knowledge of
the ocean environment and foster
technological innovations related to the
conservation, development, and use of
the oceans and their resources in an
environmentally acceptable manner.
Specific areas include fundamental
research in advanced sea robotics and
other instrumented and remotely
operated systems.
For More Information
For further information, contact the Division of
Bioengineering and Environmental Systems,
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson
Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230, (703)
306-1320.
The objective of this division is to support
research that will advance the engineering
knowledge base necessary for developing new
or improved civil and mechanical engineering
technologies. Specific research directions are
driven by intrinsic interest in phenomena
arising in mechanical, structural, and
constructed systems and by the need to solve
increasingly complex problems requiring
consideration of systems, synthesis, and
integration. Research methods include a blend
of techniques involving mathematical and
computer simulation and physical
experimentation.
The programs within the Hazard Mitigation
Section seek to develop a basic engineering
understanding of potentially destructive natural
phenomena such as earthquakes, floods, sea
level rise, greenhouse effects, expanding and
collapsing soils, destructive winds, landslides,
tsunamis, and storm surges.
Unsolicited proposals submitted to the
programs within the Mechanical and Structural
Systems Section are reviewed via panels twice
during the year. Beginning in 1995, the
deadlines for submitting proposals will be April
1 and October 1.
Areas of Research
- Mechanical and Structural Systems
Section--Research in this section is
conducted under the following programs:
- Dynamic Systems and Control--This
program supports research on the
dynamic behavior and control of
machines, processes, structures, and
other engineered physical systems. The
primary emphasis is on the physical
modeling of a variety of dynamic systems
to improve the knowledge base for
analyzing their performance and aspects
of their control. Research topics include
nonlinear dynamics theory, control of
mechanical systems, acoustics and noise
control, and machine dynamics. The
major program support addresses
significant gaps in, or extends the
knowledge base of, these disciplines.
Current interests focus on innovative
real-time, sensor-based control of
automated, flexible manufacturing
systems.
- Structures, Geomechanics, and
Building Systems--This program supports
research on progressive analysis, design,
construction, maintenance, and operation
of safe, long-lived, efficient,
environmentally acceptable, and
economical civil infrastructure systems
and facilities, both above and below
ground. It also supports research on
understanding the science and
technology of deteriorating
infrastructure, and actions that can be
taken to diagnose, repair, remediate,
retrofit, and enhance the performance of
existing constructed facilities and to
incorporate the knowledge gained in
improving the performance of new
constructed materials and facilities.
- Surface Engineering and Tribology--
This program supports research on the
unique characteristics of surface, near-
surface, and interface material, as these
characteristics affect the performance of
mechanical components and structures
subject to tribological conditions,
mechanical and thermal stresses, and
corrosion or environmental degradation.
Also included is innovative research
leading to new ways of generating or
characterizing surfaces that are
engineered for optimal topography and
microstructure, leading in turn to
improved tribological materials,
lubricants, or coatings for operation
under severe conditions. Modeling of
tribosystems and the use of signals from
tribological events for tribosensing and
process control are also supported.
- Mechanics and Materials--This
program supports research to develop
scientific and engineering foundations for
the design, mechanical response, and
failure of all types of solids. Theoretical,
experimental, and computational
investigations of deformation, fatigue,
and fracture behavior, and accounting
for the underlying microstructural state
and its origin, transformation, and
evolution, are emphasized. Current
research areas include design and
realization of new materials for
mechanical performance; physical
experiments on micro and macro scales;
constitutive modeling for inelastic
deformation and failure under multiaxial
static and dynamic loadings; and
modeling and computer simulation of
thermomechanical aspects of materials
processing and manufacturing.
- Hazard Mitigation Section--This section
consists of the following programs:
- Earthquake Hazard Mitigation--This program
conducts engineering and related research
activities under four categories: (1) siting and
geotechnical systems; (2) structural systems; (3)
architectural and mechanical systems; and (4)
earthquake systems integration. Basic science
research in earthquake hazard mitigation is
supported under the Earth Sciences Division in
the Directorate for Geosciences. This program
is part of the multiagency National Earthquake
Hazards Reduction Program.
- Natural and Technological Hazards Mitigation--
This program supports research activities that
strengthen the knowledge base of the physical
phenomena underlying natural hazards such as
floods, droughts, tornadoes, and landslides, and
the understanding of their interactions with and
impact on populations, structures, buildings, and
the natural environment.
For More Information
For further information, contact the Division of
Civil and Mechanical Systems, National Science
Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington,
Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1360.
The objective of this division is to contribute to
the knowledge base of a large number of
industrial manufacturing processes that involve
the transformation and transport of matter and
energy. The transformation processes may be
chemical, biological, physical, or a combination
of these. The industrial processes involve a
wide range of technological pursuits and are
found in such industries or areas as aerospace,
electronics, chemicals, recovery of natural
resources, civil infrastructure, environment,
petroleum, biochemicals, materials, food, power
generation, and allied activities.
Support is given for research on the
development of fundamental engineering
principles, process control and optimization
strategies, mathematical models, and
experimental techniques, with emphasis on
those projects having the potential for
innovation and broad application in strategic
areas such as environment, materials, and
chemical processing. Special emphasis is on
environmentally benign chemical and material
processing.
Areas of Research
- Chemical Reaction Processes--Supports
fundamental and applied research on (1)
rates and mechanisms of important
classes of catalyzed and uncatalyzed
chemical reactions as they relate to the
design, production, and application of
catalysts, chemical processes, and
specialized materials; (2) chemical
phenomena occurring at or near solid
surfaces and interfaces; (3)
electrochemical and photochemical
processes of engineering significance or
with commercial potential; (4) design
and optimization of complex chemical
processes; (5) dynamic modeling and
control of process systems and individual
process units; (6) reactive processing of
polymers, ceramics, and thin films; and
(7) interactions between chemical
reactions and transport processes in
reactive systems and the use of this
information in the design of complex
chemical reactors.
- Interfacial, Transport, and Separation
Processes--This program supports
research in areas related to interfacial
phenomena, mass transport phenomena,
separation science, and phase
equilibrium thermodynamics. Research
in these areas supports various aspects of
engineering technology, with the major
focus on chemical and material
processing as well as bioprocess
engineering. Research conducted in this
program also contributes to the division's
emphasis on the impact of basic
knowledge on physicochemical hazardous
waste treatment and avoidance. The
program provides support for new
theories and approaches that determine
the thermodynamic properties of fluids
and fluid mixtures in biological and
other fluids with complex molecules.
Separations research is directed at many
areas, with special emphasis on
bioprocessing and all forms of
chromatographic, membrane, and special
affinity separations.
- Fluid, Particulate, and Hydraulic
Systems--Supports fundamental and
applied research on mechanisms and
phenomena that govern single and
multiphase fluid flow, particle formation
and transport, various multiphase
processes, nanostructures, and fluid-solid
system interaction. Research is sought
that contributes to improving basic
understanding, design, predictability,
efficiency, and control of existing systems
that involve the dynamics of fluids and
particulates, as well as the innovative
uses of fluids and particulates in
materials development, manufacturing,
biotechnology, and the environment.
- Thermal Systems-This program supports
fundamental research in two major
areas: (1) Thermal Transport and
Thermal Processing and (2) Combustion
and Thermal Plasmas. Projects should be
aimed at gaining a basic understanding
at the microscopic and macroscopic
levels of thermal phenomena underlying
the production of energy, synthesis and
processing of materials, cooling and
heating of equipment, and biological
systems and the interaction of industrial
processes with the environment. Higher
priority will be given to those projects
that deal with problems on the cutting
edge of technology while developing
human resources in engineering.
For More Information
For further information, contact the Division of
Chemical and Transport Systems, National
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard,
Arlington, Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1370.
The Division of Design, Manufacture, and
Industrial Innovation (DMII) supports research
that seeks to serve a broad spectrum of
American industry through developing and
expanding the scientific and engineering
foundations of design, manufacturing,
production, integration engineering, and
management of technological innovation. The
division also fosters partnerships between the
Nation's universities and small and large
industries and works to increase the
participation of small and/or disadvantaged
businesses in research and procurement
activities of the NSF.
Areas of Research
- Design and Integration Engineering-
Supports the development of a scientific
foundation of principles and procedures
for engineering design, including theories
of design, methodologies and models of
design, and organization and
management of engineering design
systems. Focus is also placed on
understanding the informational
framework, techniques, and systems that
integrate design and manufacturing.
While the main objective is to bridge
design and manufacturing, efforts are
also aimed at integrating all aspects of
the manufacturing life cycle.
- Manufacturing Processes and
Equipment--Supports the development of
an engineering science base for current
and future physical manufacturing
processes that cover a wide range of raw
materials, including metals, polymers,
ceramics, composites, and specially
engineered materials. The program's
primary focus is to understand the
processing issues confronting the actual
making of a product within the context
of a complete design/production
environment, as opposed to researching
the processing characteristics of
materials for their own sake.
- Operations Research and Production
Systems-Supports research leading to
the development of improved analytical
and computational techniques for
modeling, analysis, design, optimization,
and operation of natural and man-made
systems. While research funded is
oriented toward basic methodologies, it
should also be strongly motivated by
relevant problems in engineering. The
Production Systems Program encourages
basic and applied research driven by real
and relevant industrial problems in all
aspects of production. Topics of interest
include operational issues such as cost
and performance analysis, inventory
control, planning and scheduling,
reliability, quality, material handling,
logistics, distribution, and man-machine
integration. Researchers in Operations
Research and Production Systems must
recognize the interdependency and
intersection between these two areas and
not attempt to create a separation
between them.
- Small Business Innovation Research
(SBIR)--The SBIR Program offers
opportunity and incentive for small and
creative engineering-, science-,
education-, and technology-related firms
to conduct innovative, high-risk research
on important scientific and technical
problems--work that could have
significant public benefit if the research
is successful. This is a three-phase
program that offers incentives for
converting research done in Phases I and
II to commercial application in Phase
III, with the final effort funded by
private capital. The program meets the
requirements of the Small Business
Research and Development
Enhancement Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-
564).
- Industry/University Liaison Program--
This program comprises the Small
Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
Program and the Grant Opportunities
for Academic Liaison with Industry
(GOALI) Initiative. STTR is a new
Federal program that links entrepreneurs
to the academic research community. It
encourages commercialization of
Government-funded research by the
private sector, reinforcing the efforts of
the SBIR Program. GOALI provides
opportunities through a series of
mechanisms for direct linkages between
academic researchers and industry.
- Management of Technological
Innovation (MOTI)--The MOTI
Program supports research in the
management of engineering and
technology to create knowledge,
methods, and tools to improve the ability
of engineering design and manufacturing
practice to better determine and meet
market needs, and improve corporate
ability to integrate technology strategy
with business strategy. The program
focuses on the interface between
engineering and business, and supports
interdisciplinary research initiatives.
Deadlines
A program announcement for the MOTI
Program is issued annually and describes
research opportunities and areas of emphasis.
To request a copy, contact the Program
Manager, Division of Design, Manufacture, and
Industrial Innovation, National Science
Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington,
Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1330.
Annual target dates for unsolicited proposals
are April 1 and October 1 for all programs
unless other program and initiative deadlines
are published.
Annual solicitations are made by the SBIR and
STTR Programs and are widely publicized by
the Small Business Administration. They are
also announced in the Commerce Business Daily
and sent to those on NSF's small-business
mailing list. Solicitations list specific deadlines
for proposals.
For More Information
For further information, contact the Division of
Design, Manufacture, and Industrial Innovation,
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson
Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230, (703)
306-1330.
To request the latest SBIR solicitation, contact
the Program Manager, Small Business
Innovation Research, National Science
Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington,
Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1391.
The Division of Electrical and Communications
Systems supports fundamental engineering
research and educational activities on the
conceptualization, analysis, design, and
fabrication of materials, devices, systems, and
phenomena that involve electrical, electronic,
micro-electromechanical, and optical
technologies. Also supported is research on
analytical methods and computational
algorithms for modeling, and optimization and
control of engineering systems, including large-
scale nonlinear systems. Emphasis is placed on
creativity in approach as well as advancement
of the field.
Areas of Research
- Quantum Electronics, Waves, and
Beams--Supports scientific and
engineering research primarily in the
areas of quantum electronics, lightwave
technology, plasmas, and
electromagnetics as well as theoretical
and experimental research related to the
generation, propagation, interaction,
manipulation, and analysis of
electromagnetic radiation and charged
particles and their technology
implementation. Topics in lightwave
technology include optoelectronic and
photonic materials, devices, and systems;
optical computing; photonic packaging;
sensors; and mass data storage.
- Communications and Computational
Systems--Supports research focused on
issues that advance large-capacity, high-
connectivity communications systems that
utilize a fiber-optic backbone. Activities
include design and demonstration of
optical systems, networks, and related
components, and wireless integration in
the network. Close interaction between
device, systems, and network researchers
is encouraged. Computational
engineering supports the development of
computational algorithms and the
integration of numerical experiments
with advanced analysis and physical
experiments for engineering applications,
with special emphasis on support of
multidisciplinary groups addressing high
performance computing and
communications issues.
- Solid State and Microstructures--
Supports fundamental research in areas
of novel electronic and micro-
electromechanical devices, materials, and
processes. Specific areas of interest are
electronic materials growth and
characterization, analog circuits and
devices, device physics, simulation and
modeling of advanced device concepts,
fabrication and modeling of micro-
electromechanical systems, advanced
semiconductor processing and
manufacturing, advanced lithography,
and electronics packaging.
- Engineering Systems-Supports research
on analytical and computational methods
for modeling, analysis, estimation,
identification, optimization, and control
of engineering systems. Emphasis is on
generic methods motivated by a wide
variety of engineering systems such as
robots, power systems, manufacturing
and production systems, and electronic
systems. The application of these tools to
the issues of largeness, nonlinearities,
and other complexities of systems like
the power
generation/transmission/distribution
system is of particular interest. In
addition, the neuroengineering
component develops tests and evaluates
new algorithms that can be implemented
as artificial neural networks.
For More Information
For further information, contact the Division of
Electrical and Communications Systems,
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson
Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230, (703)
306-1339.
This division seeks to stimulate new paradigms
in engineering research and education that will
accelerate technological innovation and
improve the quality and diversity of engineering
graduates and the technical workforce. To
achieve its mission, the Engineering Education
and Centers Division forms partnerships across
sectors. Disciplines are integrated to focus on
technological systems, academe is linked with
industry and the States, and diverse academic
institutions are joined in curricular and
educational innovations. The objective is to
yield well-rounded, professionally oriented
engineers with a global outlook and the ability
to assume leadership roles in industry,
academe, and society.
Areas of Emphasis
- Engineering Research Centers.
- Industry/University Cooperative
Research Centers and
State/Industry/University Cooperative
Research Centers.
- Engineering Education.
- Human Resource Development.
- Engineering Research Centers
(ERCs)-This program focuses major
cross-disciplinary programs of research
and education on engineering systems
important for competitiveness. The
ERCs have been established to work in
close collaboration with industry to
improve industrial input into research
and education programs and to speed
the transfer of knowledge into
engineering systems important for
industry. The ERCs have major
educational programs designed to
improve the contribution of engineers to
competitiveness, emphasizing experience
with research organized to promote
cross-disciplinary teamwork and
experimentation with engineering
testbeds. ERCs are located at academic
institutions where they are expected to
promote strong links between research
and education.
- Industry/University Cooperative
Research Centers (I/UCRCs)--The
I/UCRCs are centers that encourage
highly leveraged industry/university
cooperation by focusing on fundamental
research recommended by Industrial
Advisory Boards. Each center is
established to conduct research that is of
interest to both industry and the
university, with a provision that industry
take over full support of the center
within five years.
The successful I/UCRC Program model has
been extended to encompass a new type of
center, the State/Industry University Cooperative
Research Centers (S/IUCRCs) These centers
are focused more actively on State or regional
local economic development and are initiated
at the State level with industrial support. They
compete for NSF support in an announced
competition. This new model extends the
I/UCRC model to focus on more active means
of technology transfer, which can include
experimentation with testbeds, hands-on
teaching of new concepts to upgrade small
business, etc. These centers also may extend
their work to include proprietary projects
designed to speed development with the
support of industry and the State.
- Engineering Education Coalitions--This
program was developed to stimulate
bold, innovative, and comprehensive
models for systemic reform of
undergraduate engineering education
and to increase the retention of students,
especially women and those minorities
underrepresented in engineering.
The Engineering Education Coalitions share
the following common program-level goals: (1)
to design and implement comprehensive,
systemic, and structural reform of
undergraduate engineering education; (2) to
provide tested alternative curricula and new
instructional delivery systems that improve the
quality of undergraduate engineering education;
(3) to create substantive resource linkages
among engineering baccalaureate-producing
and precollege institutions; and (4) to increase
the number of baccalaureate engineering
degrees awarded, especially to women,
underrepresented minorities, and persons with
disabilities.
- Engineering Education
Innovations--Support is provided for a
limited number of individuals, groups,
and centers focused on developmental
work in curriculum innovation that
integrates research-based developments
into the curricula at all levels. Support is
provided to develop experimental
courseware, multimedia educational
software, etc. Awardees are responsible
for development, testing, and assessment.
Support is also provided to initiate a
limited number of lifelong learning
efforts to focus on curricula,
teaching/learning modules, and
pedagogical experiments to upgrade the
knowledge of engineering principles in
the technical workforce at all levels.
Emphasis is placed on collaboration with
industry in these efforts.
- Combined Research-Curriculum
Development--Addresses the need to
increase the rate at which research
advances in important technology areas
are incorporated into the upper-level
undergraduate and graduate engineering
curricula.
- Graduate Research Traineeships--This
program was established to encourage
more U.S. citizens, especially women,
minorities, and persons with disabilities,
to complete doctorates in engineering.
Awards are made directly to academic
institutions to provide funds for student
support and associated expenses.
- Engineering Research Equipment
Grants--Grants are made for the
acquisition or upgrading of research
equipment that will provide new
research capabilities or improve the
quality and broaden the scope of
engineering research at academic
institutions. Substantial cost-sharing is
required.
- Support to Predominantly
Undergraduate Institutions--Support is
provided through the regular research
programs as well as under two special
activities: Research in Undergraduate
Institutions and Research Opportunity
Awards for Small College Faculty. The
goal of these activities is to increase
support to institutions where the primary
emphasis is on undergraduate education
and where research participation is a
means to prepare students for graduate
study and research careers.
- Research Experiences for
Undergraduates (REU)
Awards--Provides support for proposals
that seek to attract talented students into
academic research careers in
engineering. Proposals are in two major
categories: REU Sites and REU
Supplements. Site awards are institutional
grants designed to initiate and conduct
undergraduate research participation
projects for a number of students
appropriate to the discipline and setting.
Supplements are made to ongoing NSF
research grants to provide research
experience on these grants for a small
number of undergraduates.
- Research Planning Grants and Career
Advancement Awards for Minority
Engineers-Research Planning Grants are
one-time, limited awards made to
minority engineers for preliminary
studies and other activities to facilitate
the development of more competitive
NSF research proposals. Career
Advancement Awards for Minority
Engineers expand opportunities for
minority researchers to advance their
careers. They are particularly
appropriate for independent investigators
whose careers are still evolving, or for
experienced researchers who are
changing research direction or who have
had significant research interruption.
- Research Planning Grants and Career
Advancement Awards for Women
Engineers--Awards are made to women
engineers who have not had prior
independent Federal research support, to
enable them to develop competitive
research proposals and to provide
opportunities for them to undertake one-
year enhancement projects to increase
their research capabilities and
productivity.
- Supplemental Funding for Support of
Women, Minority, and Disabled
Engineering Research
Assistants--Support is provided for
supplemental funding for investigators
who wish to include women, minorities,
and undergraduate or high school
students with disabilities as research
assistants on their projects. Supplemental
funding of up to $5,000, including
indirect costs, may be requested for each
student to be added to the project.
Funds provided by this program are
limited to two students per grant. Up to
10 percent of this amount may be used
for supplies and services. The support
may be used for a summer, a quarter, or
an academic year.
Additional funds in excess of $5,000 may be
requested, if necessary, to provide special
equipment, modify equipment, or provide other
services required specifically for participation of
persons with disabilities. The equipment must
be specifically related to the research work
(e.g., prosthetic devices to manipulate a specific
piece of equipment) and not for general
assistance (e.g., wheelchairs or ramps).
Program announcements are available for each
of the programs above. Refer to the NSF
Bulletin for deadlines and target dates.
For More Information
For further information, contact the Division of
Engineering Education and Centers, National
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard,
Arlington, Virginia 22230, (703) 306-1380.