Engineering Research Initiation

Key facts

Funder

U.S. National Science Foundation

Application deadline

October 9, 2026

Award range

$200K

Eligibility

*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 from any other Federal Agency (within the United States or abroad) totaling $200,000 or more within the past five (5) calendar years from the proposal submission deadline date, with the following exceptions: <ul> <li>Grants not directly for research purposes such as workshops, conferences, travel, instrumentation and equipment (e.g., Major Research Instrumentation; MRI), Research Experiences for Undergraduate Students (REU) and Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Sites, etc.;</li> <li>Awards that exclusively support pre-tenure-track activities (postdoctoral fellowships and Graduate Research Fellowships/GRFP);</li> <li>I-Corps, Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards; and</li> <li>Awards that originated as NSF or other F

Geography

United States

Focus areas

Research

Opportunity number

24-590

Program overview

The NSF Directorate for Engineering (ENG) seeks to build engineering research capacity across the nation by investing in new academic investigators who have yet to receive sufficient research funding from Federal Agencies. The Engineering Research Initiation (ERI) program will support new investigators as they initiate their research programs and advance in their careers as researchers, educators, and innovators. This funding opportunity aims to broaden the base of investigators involved in engineering research and therefore is limited to investigators that are not affiliated with "very high research activity" R1 institutions (according to the Carnegie Classification https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/ ).

How to apply

1. Confirm your organization meets the eligibility criteria above.
2. Read the full funding opportunity announcement from U.S. National Science Foundation.
3. Draft your narrative against the funder's stated priorities and review criteria.
4. Submit before October 9, 2026, allowing time for registration and validation.

View the official funding announcement

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