Professional Formation of Engineers

The Professional Formation of Engineers funding opportunity is administered by the National Science Foundation within its Directorate for Engineering, specifically through the Division of Engineering Education and Centers. This initiative reflects NSF’s broader mission to support fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. The program emphasizes the integration of engineering research with educational practices to strengthen and expand the engineering workforce in the United States. It aligns with federal priorities to ensure that the nation remains competitive in a global technological economy while advancing innovation and workforce readiness. The primary purpose of this opportunity is to support activities that improve how engineers are educated, trained, and professionally developed across their careers. The program defines professional formation broadly as the combination of formal and informal learning processes, institutional structures, and value systems that shape individuals into engineers. Projects funded under this program are expected to contribute to the development of an engineering workforce that is ethical, globally aware, and capable of adapting to rapid technological change. This includes strengthening pathways into engineering careers and supporting transitions within and across academic and industry environments. Funding under this opportunity supports a wide range of project types within the ENGINEER program. These may include initiatives in formal academic settings, such as classroom-based instruction, as well as informal learning environments like maker spaces, student organizations, and community-based programs. The scope also extends to workplace-based learning, including internships, cooperative education experiences, and research laboratory participation. Projects may address various scales of analysis, from individual mentorship relationships to large-scale online education systems and professional development platforms. Allowable uses of funding include the design, implementation, and evaluation of educational models, workforce development strategies, and research studies that examine how engineers are formed. Projects may also explore pathways such as credentialing, licensure, and apprenticeship models, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration between engineering and social sciences. The program encourages work that examines relationships between engineers and other stakeholders, including technical workers and community members. While no explicit cost-sharing or matching requirement is indicated, all proposals must comply with NSF’s Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide and applicable federal financial assistance regulations. Eligibility for this opportunity is unrestricted, meaning that any organization type may apply, subject to further clarification within NSF guidelines. This typically includes institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, private sector entities, and other research-performing organizations. Proposals must be submitted through either Research.gov or Grants.gov in accordance with NSF submission requirements. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their proposals meet all formatting, content, and compliance standards outlined in NSF guidance documents. The application process is ongoing, as proposals are accepted at any time with no fixed deadline. There are no required pre-application steps such as letters of intent specified in the available information. Applicants should prepare full proposals that align with NSF review criteria, which generally include intellectual merit and broader impacts. Contact for technical issues related to submission is provided via the NSF Grants.gov support email, and program-specific inquiries may be directed to listed program officers. Because proposals are accepted on a rolling basis, there is no defined closing date or annual cycle. Awards are made based on the availability of funds and the merit review process. The performance period for funded projects is not explicitly stated in the available materials and may vary depending on the project scope and proposal details. This opportunity is expected to remain active as part of NSF’s ongoing portfolio of engineering education programs, supporting continuous innovation in the professional formation of engineers.

Align proposal with NSF intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria; emphasize integration of engineering and social sciences; demonstrate workforce impact and scalability