NSF Boosting Research Ideas for Transformative and Equitable Advances in Engineering
This grant provides funding for experienced researchers at U.S. higher education institutions to explore new engineering fields or reestablish their research after a break, with a focus on innovation, societal impact, and promoting diversity and inclusion.
The NSF Boosting Research Ideas for Transformative and Equitable Advances in Engineering (BRITE) program, under solicitation NSF 25-512, is designed to support innovative and risk-taking research in engineering. Administered by the Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI) within the NSF Directorate for Engineering, the program offers funding through two tracks: Pivot and Relaunch. These tracks aim to enable experienced researchers to explore new fields or regain research momentum following a hiatus. The program encourages diversity, equity, and inclusion, emphasizing broad societal benefits and innovative contributions to STEM fields. The Pivot track supports researchers transitioning to areas where they lack a proven track record or incorporating tools from other disciplines into their current research. The Relaunch track is tailored for researchers returning from a hiatus to reestablish a sustainable research foundation with significant potential for impact. Both tracks focus on advancing knowledge, with proposals required to address intellectual merit, broader societal impacts, and a commitment to equity and inclusion. The total anticipated funding for FY2025 is $7 million, supporting approximately 12 awards across the two tracks, with individual projects receiving up to $600,000 over three years. Applicants must include funding for attending annual Principal Investigator (PI) meetings in Washington, D.C., or virtually. Proposals should provide detailed plans for research activities, societal impacts, and a broadening participation plan. PIs are encouraged to consult NSF program officers before submission to ensure alignment with solicitation requirements. Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations engaged in educational or research activities. PIs must hold tenured positions at the Associate/Full Professor rank or equivalent. Collaborative proposals are not permitted, although a PI may include senior personnel as collaborators. Each PI can only have one active BRITE award at a time. Applications must adhere to the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and the specific solicitation requirements. Proposals are due by March 3, 2025, and must include sections on past contributions, research plans, track relevance, outcomes, and a broadening participation plan. The merit review process will evaluate proposals based on intellectual merit, broader impacts, and track-specific criteria. Applicants are encouraged to attend a webinar on January 6, 2025, to gain insights into the solicitation and ask questions. Contact information for program officers is provided for further inquiries, along with resources for navigating the Research.gov and Grants.gov submission systems.
Award Range
Not specified - $600,000
Total Program Funding
$7,000,000
Number of Awards
12
Matching Requirement
No
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus. *Who May Serve as PI: The PI must hold a tenured faculty appointment at the Associate/Full Professor rank or equivalent at an organization that is eligible to submit as described under "Who May Submit Proposals." Co-PIs are not allowed on any of the tracks.Separately submitted collaborative proposals are not allowed. Principal Investigators are limited to one active BRITE award at a time.
Geographic Eligibility
All
Application Opens
November 26, 2024
Application Closes
March 3, 2025
Grantor
National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation)
Phone
1-800-518-4726Subscribe to view contact details