The Division of Engineering Education and Centers (EEC) invests in the creation of 21st century engineers and the discovery of new technologies through transformational center-based research, research in education and inclusion, and research opportunities for students and teachers. EEC is home to NSF's signature programs for Engineering Research Centers and Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers.

The EEC division director is Dr. José Zayas-Castro; see all EEC staff.

EEC organizes its programs into four clusters:

Broadening Participation in Engineering enhances inclusion and participation in engineering by addressing structural inequalities and biases within educational and workforce systems. Research and other activities improve engineering interest, preparation, connections, experiences, and opportunities among underrepresented groups, from elementary school through college and into the workforce.

• Broadening Participation in Engineering (BPE)
• Engineering Research Initiation (ERI)
• Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER)
• NSF INCLUDES (Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science)

Centers and Networks provide the structure, coordination, and resources to solve engineering grand challenges and launch new industries. They engage in visionary, large-scale, multidisciplinary engineering research, education, and technology translation.

• Gen-4 Engineering Research Centers (ERC)
• Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC)
  • Skills Training in Advanced Research & Technology (START) Supplemental Funding Opportunity
• Network for Computational Nanotechnology (NCN)
• Planning Grants for Engineering Research Centers (ERC)

Engineering Education encourages educational research to create and support an innovative and inclusive technical workforce for the future. The research advances our understanding of how people become engineers, explores diverse pathways to and through degree programs, and examines how changes in engineering education spread.

• Engineering Research Initiation (ERI)
• Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER)
• IUSE / Professional Formation of Engineers: Revolutionizing Engineering Departments (IUSE/PFE: RED)
• Research Initiation in Engineering Formation (RIEF)
• Research in the Formation of Engineers (RFE)

Engineering Workforce Development supports pilot initiatives and provides meaningful research experiences that provide insights into engineering and computer science concepts, innovations, and careers.

• Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunities
• Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering and Computer Science
• Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

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EEC home page image credit
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