OpenFederal grant20-558

PFE: Research Initiation in Engineering Formation (PFE: RIEF)

U.S. National Science FoundationCloses Nov 10, 2026(28 days left)From $200,000

Does this fit your business?

This NSF program funds engineering faculty with little or no social science or education research experience to build expertise in engineering education research on the Professional Formation of Engineers. It is for individual engineering faculty at eligible institutions, not for businesses or nonprofits. Established engineering education or social science researchers should not apply here; NSF directs them to the Research in the Formation of Engineers program instead.

Best for
Engineering faculty at universities with little or no social science or education research experience, Engineering departments with no recent NSF EEC funding, Faculty known for teaching, mentoring, or campus educational reform seeking to move into engineering education research, Faculty with active disciplinary research programs wanting to shift research focus
Not for
Established engineering education or social science researchers, For-profit businesses and small businesses, Nonprofit organizations
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Arts & CultureLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Education & TrainingLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Environment & ConservationLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Finance & BankingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Food & BeverageLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Healthcare & BiotechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
ManufacturingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Technology & SoftwareLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Research, Training
Who can apply
Colleges and universities, Individuals
Award range
From $200,000

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is November 10, 2026.
Who can apply for this grant?
Engineering faculty (PIs) at eligible institutions may apply. At least one (co)PI must be a member of an engineering department and must not have received engineering education or professional formation funding through NSF's EEC in the last three years. For-profit businesses, including small businesses, may not apply.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
No. For-profit businesses, including small businesses, may not apply. Applicants are engineering faculty at eligible institutions.
Can a nonprofit apply?
No. This program does not accept nonprofit applicants. It is designed for engineering faculty at eligible institutions.

Summary

NSF program enabling engineering faculty with little or no social science/education research experience to develop expertise in engineering education research on the Professional Formation of Engineers. Applicants are engineering faculty (PIs) at eligible institutions; at least one PI must be in an engineering department without recent EEC funding.

About this grant

The PFE: Research Initiation in Engineering Formation (PFE: RIEF) program has two goals: 1) Support research in the Professional Formation of Engineers (PFE), and 2) Increase the community of researchers conducting PFE research. PIs are expected to have little or no experience conducting social science or education research. PFE: RIEF is not intended for established researchers in engineering education or other social science fields to initiate new projects. Those researchers should consider the Research in the Formation of Engineers program ( https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/rfe-research-formation-engineers ).

The NSF Engineering (ENG) Directorate has launched a multi-year initiative, the Professional Formation of Engineers, to create and support an innovative and inclusive engineering profession for the 21st Century. Professional Formation of Engineers (PFE) refers to the formal and informal education and value systems by which people become engineers. It also includes the ethical responsibility of practicing engineers to sustain and grow the profession. The engineering profession must be responsive to national priorities, grand challenges, and dynamic workforce needs; it must be equally open and accessible to all Americans.

Engineering faculty possess both deep technical expertise in their engineering discipline and the primary responsibility for the process of professional formation of future engineers. As such, engineering faculty are in a unique position to help address critical challenges in engineering formation. The Professional Formation of Engineers: Research Initiation in Engineering Formation (PFE: RIEF) program enables engineering faculty who are renowned for teaching, mentoring, or leading educational reform efforts on their campus to develop expertise in conducting engineering education research.

Who can apply

Our reading of the listing: for-profit businesses are not eligible for this one.

Who May Serve as PI:

The PFE: RIEF program is designed to expand the community of engineering faculty equipped to conduct research in professional formation of engineers. At least one (co) PI must be a member of an engineering department AND not have received engineering education or professional formation funding through EEC in the last three years. Submissions from faculty with active disciplinary research programs, or faculty seeking a shift in their research focus, are especially encouraged. The program is not intended to create an additional funding channel for researchers with expertise in social science or education research; such researchers should apply to the Research in the Formation of Engineers program (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/rfe-research-formation-engineers), or other related NSF opportunities.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Workforce
  • Research

Program contact

U.S. National Science Foundationgrantsgovsupport@nsf.gov703-292-4203

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