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 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 program 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. NSF encourages submission by new investigators in engineering fields from non-PhD awarding institutions, including community colleges.
Proposers may submit proposals only in engineering research areas supported by the ENG:
CBET
CMMI
ECCS
Previously funded projects can be seen at https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/advancedSearchResult?ProgEleCode=006Y%2C058Y%2C072Y%2C073Y%2C088Y%2C1179%2C1340%2C1401%2C1403%2C1406%2C1407%2C1415%2C1417%2C142Y%2C1440%2C1443%2C144Y%2C1491%2C1517%2C1630%2C1631%2C1638%2C180Y%2C5342%2C5345%2C7236%2C7479%2C7564%2C7569%2C7607%2C7643%2C7644%2C7680%2C7909&BooleanElement=Any&BooleanRef=Any&ActiveAwards=true#results
Only one PI per proposal is allowed. Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PI) are not allowed. PIs must hold a doctoral degree in a field supported by NSF. Postdoctoral researchers are not eligible to serve as PI on an ERI proposal. At the time of the proposal submission deadline, the PI may not have been a PI, Co-PI or equivalent 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), with the following exceptions:
Eligible applicants include two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) not currently classified as a Doctoral university with "very high research activity" (R1 Institutions) according to the 2021 Carnegie Classification update: https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/.
Applications for FY 2022 are to be submitted by October 11, 2022. Applications for FY 2023 are to be submitted by September 15, 2023
Approximately $11,000,000 is available to fund 55 awards. The maximum award amount is $200,000 for a project period of 2 years. Cost-sharing not required.
The award funds may be used for research expenses, trainee support (e.g., students and/or postdocs), Principal Investigator (PI) salary and may include modest equipment costs necessary for the successful initiation and conduct of the proposed research.