Environmental Engineering

The Environmental Engineering program, offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), is a key component of the Environmental Engineering and Sustainability cluster, which also includes the Nanoscale Interactions and Environmental Sustainability programs. NSF, an independent federal agency, is committed to advancing scientific progress in the United States by funding fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. The Environmental Engineering program specifically supports transformative research aimed at reducing pollution and mitigating its environmental and human health impacts through engineered processes. This funding opportunity emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches that integrate chemical, biological, and physical sciences to protect ecological and human health. Core objectives include the prevention, minimization, or reuse of pollution discharges to air, water, and soil; mitigation of associated impacts using adaptive environmental techniques; and the remediation of polluted sites using engineered solutions. The program prioritizes a fundamental understanding of pollutant transport and reactivity in the environment, encouraging research that leverages environmental microbiology, chemistry, and geophysics when clearly aligned with these protective goals. Projects of interest span several themes: innovation in biogeochemical processes that eliminate waste; valorization of waste to recover valuable resources; technologies for water purification and nutrient recovery; adaptive water management strategies; and air quality improvements in built environments. Research proposals must explicitly aim to enhance environmental and human health. Proposals focused solely on physical or chemical separations, in vitro chemistry, industrial ecology, or sensor development without clear biogeochemical relevance are not suitable for this program and may be redirected or returned. Applications are accepted year-round with no formal deadlines, though proposers must comply with the most recent NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Special project types such as RAPID, EAGER, GOALI, conference, and supplement proposals require prior consultation with the program director. The standard duration for awards is up to three years, with larger, multi-investigator proposals considered on a case-by-case basis. Single investigator projects usually support one graduate student and up to one month of PI time annually. The program also strongly supports CAREER awards for early-career faculty, which have a five-year duration and a submission deadline in July. Applicants must articulate the novelty and potential transformative impact of their research within the project summary. Compliance with PAPPG is strictly enforced. Noncompliant proposals will be returned without review. For guidance, applicants are encouraged to contact the program director, Chenyang S. Jiang, via email at EnvE@nsf.gov or by phone at (703) 292-7858.