What are ERCs?
ERCs are interdisciplinary, multi-institutional centers designed to advance fundamental knowledge and technology while training a diverse, skilled engineering workforce.
Each ERC has important components that go beyond the research project. These include engineering workforce development at all participant stages and value creation within an innovation ecosystem that will outlast ERC program support.
NSF funds each ERC for up to 10 years.
Current ERCs
NSF currently supports 16 ERCs in advanced manufacturing, energy and the environment, health and microelectronics.
Advanced manufacturing
NSF ERC for Cell Manufacturing Technologies (CMaT)
Established in 2017, CMaT's vision is to enable robust, scalable, low-cost biomanufacturing of high-quality therapeutic cells to bring affordable, curative therapies against incurable chronic diseases to everyone.
Core partners: Georgia Tech (lead), University of Georgia, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, University of Wisconsin–Madison
NSF ERC for Hybrid Autonomous Manufacturing Moving from Evolution to Revolution (HAMMER-ERC)
Established in 2022, the HAMMER-ERC will accelerate the development and deployment of intelligent, autonomous manufacturing systems, enabling mass customization in local production facilities.
Core partners: The Ohio State University (lead), Case Western Reserve University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Northwestern University, The University of Tennessee
NSF ERC for Transformation of American Rubber through Domestic Innovation for Supply Security (TARDISS ERC)
Established in 2024, the TARDISS ERC will create bridges between engineering, biology and agriculture to revolutionize and onshore alternative natural rubber production from U.S. crops.
Core partners: The Ohio State University (lead), Caltech, North Carolina State University, Texas Tech University, University of California, Merced
Energy and smart infrastructure
NSF ERC for Advancing Self-Sufficiency through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification (ASPIRE)
Established in 2020, ASPIRE seeks to revolutionize transportation by developing electrified roadways and intelligent charging networks to eliminate electric vehicle range and charging barriers, reduce transportation costs and strengthen the electric grid and the economy.
Core partners: Utah State University (lead), Purdue University, University of Colorado, The University of Texas at El Paso
NSF ERC for Advancing Sustainable and Distributed Fertilizer Production (CASFER)
Established in 2022, the CASFER ERC will enable resilient and sustainable food production by developing next-generation, modular, distributed and efficient technology for capturing, recycling and producing decarbonized nitrogen-based fertilizers.
Core partners: Texas Tech University (lead), Case Western Reserve University, Florida A&M University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
NSF ERC for Carbon Utilization Redesign for Biomanufacturing (CURB)
Established in 2024, CURB will create bio-manufacturing systems that use CO2 as a feedstock for a broad range of products much more efficiently than current state-of-the-art engineered and natural systems.
Core partners: Washington University in St. Louis (lead), Prairie View A&M University, Texas A&M University, University of Delaware
NSF ERC for Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH)
Established in 2024, the EARTH ERC will create a transformative, sustainable refrigerant life cycle to increase the energy efficiency of heating, ventilation and cooling.
Core partners: University of Kansas (lead), Lehigh University, University of Hawaii, University of Maryland, University of Notre Dame, University of South Dakota
NSF ERC for Innovative and Strategic Transformation of Alkane Resources (CISTAR)
Established in 2017, CISTAR's vision is to create a transformative engineered system to convert light hydrocarbons from shale resources to chemicals and transportation fuels in smaller, modular, local and highly networked processing plants.
Core partners: Purdue University (lead), Northwestern University, University of Notre Dame, University of New Mexico, The University of Texas at Austin
Healthcare and biotechnology
NSF ERC for Advanced Technologies for Preservation of Biological Systems (ATP-Bio)
Established in 2020, ATP-Bio aims to stop biological time by designing methods to cryogenically cool, hold and re-warm living materials without harm, extending the ability to bank and transport them.
Core partners: University of Minnesota (lead), UC Berkeley, UC Riverside, Massachusetts General Hospital
NSF ERC for Cellular Metamaterials (CELL-MET)
Established in 2017, CELL-MET aims to transform cardiovascular care by combining breakthroughs in nanotechnology and manufacturing with tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Core partners: Boston University (lead), Florida International University, University of Michigan
NSF ERC for Precise Advanced Technologies and Health Systems for Under-resourced Populations (PATHS-UP)
Established in 2017, PATHS-UP is developing revolutionary, cost-effective technologies and systems to improve healthcare for under-resourced populations.
Core partners: Texas A&M University (lead), Florida International University, Rice University, UCLA
NSF ERC for Precision Microbiome Engineering (PreMiEr)
Established in 2022, PreMiEr will foster safer indoor environments by developing technologies that prevent the spread of disease and promote the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms.
Core partners: Duke University (lead), North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Quantum, microelectronics, sensing and IT
NSF ERC for Human AugmentatioN via Dexterity (HAND)
Established in 2024, HAND will revolutionize the ability of robots to augment human labor by transforming dexterous robot hands into versatile, easy-to-integrate tools.
Core partners: Northwestern University (lead), Carnegie Mellon University, Florida A&M University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Texas A&M University
NSF ERC for the Internet of Things for Precision Agriculture (IoT4Ag)
Established in 2020, IoT4Ag seeks to ensure food, energy and water security with new systems to increase crop production while minimizing energy and water use and the environmental impacts of agricultural practices.
Core partners: University of Pennsylvania (lead), Purdue University, University of California, Merced, University of Florida
NSF ERC for Quantum Networks (CQN)
Established in 2020, CQN aims to lay the foundations for a socially responsible quantum Internet by developing key subsystem technologies and new functional building blocks that connect quantum processors locally and across the globe.
Core partners: The University of Arizona (lead), Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University
NSF ERC for Smart Streetscapes (CS3)
Established in 2022, CS3 is forging livable, safe and inclusive communities through real-time, hyperlocal technologies for streets and their surroundings.
Core partners: Columbia University (lead), Florida Atlantic University, Lehman College, Rutgers University, University of Central Florida
Related funding
Gen-4 Engineering Research Centers (ERC) program
Supports high-risk, high-payoff research focused on advancing engineered systems technology and education through multidisciplinary, cross-sector partnerships.
