The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Engineering (NSF ENG) transforms the world for a better tomorrow by driving discovery, inspiring innovation and expanding access to engineering research and education.
The directorate supports the NSF mission and enables U.S. leadership in engineering and cutting-edge technologies by
- Investing in transformative engineering approaches and research infrastructure that address national challenges. Learn about what NSF ENG supports.
- Expanding educational opportunities and supporting the creation of a highly skilled engineering workforce. See how ENG develops the future engineering workforce.
- Catalyzing partnerships to build research and education capacity and strengthen the nation's innovation ecosystem. Explore ENG partnership opportunities.
On this page
What we support
NSF ENG invests in the creation of new engineering knowledge and cutting-edge technologies across engineering disciplines.
Each year, ENG supports hundreds of diverse academic and research organizations across U.S. states and territories. These investments engage tens of thousands of people, including K-12 teachers and students, undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty.
Learn about ENG programs in the following areas:
Centers and research infrastructure
ENG-supported centers and research infrastructure work to advance critical and emerging technologies such as AI and quantum, biotechnology and health, natural hazard resilience, and other national priorities. These facilities not only drive discoveries but also serve as training grounds for the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Whether securing communities against hurricanes, developing quantum chips or biomanufacturing therapeutics and fuels, engineering centers and research infrastructure allow investigators to test their ideas and bring them closer to widespread use.
Key research and technology areas
ENG supports the fundamental engineering research behind innovations that industry and people use every day: from quantum dots in LED displays and bioimaging, to tornado-resilient technologies that save lives, to 3D-printing methods for hobbyists and aircraft manufacturers alike. Fundamental research supported by ENG is also creating and testing critical and emerging technologies — artificial intelligence and future computing approaches; quantum sensing and networking technologies; and advanced manufacturing, materials and semiconductors — as well as future energy and biotechnologies.
