NSF Boosting Research Ideas for Transformative and Equitable Advances in Engineering

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.