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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NSF Environmental Sustainability Program (PD 13-7643)

What is the NSF Environmental Sustainability program (PD 13-7643)?

The NSF Environmental Sustainability program (PD 13-7643) supports engineering-focused research that designs and improves sustainable engineered systems. The goal is to support human well-being while staying compatible with healthy natural systems, with an emphasis on long-term impacts and maintaining natural capital (the ecosystems and ecosystem services society depends on).

What kinds of projects is this program trying to fund?

The program funds engineering research projects that are clearly framed in an environmental sustainability context and grounded in core engineering principles. Projects often take a systems-level approach and consider long-term outcomes across engineered and natural systems. NSF is looking for work that is novel or potentially transformative compared to prior research and that can deliver meaningful benefits for society and/or industry if successful.

Is this program strictly engineering, or can it include other disciplines?

The foundation of the work must be engineering research. However, the program welcomes integration of perspectives from social sciences, behavioral sciences, economics, and ethics when those elements strengthen the engineering research and improve real-world relevance.

What are the main research areas supported by the program?

The program organizes research into four main areas: Industrial Ecology, Green Engineering, Ecological Engineering, and Earth Systems Engineering. Other topics may be considered, but NSF indicates that investigators should consult the program director in advance if proposing work outside these main areas.

What is considered "Industrial Ecology" under this program?

Industrial Ecology supports work that improves how sustainability is modeled and measured. Examples include life cycle assessment, materials flow analysis, input-output economic modeling, and the development of new metrics and decision tools. The emphasis is on innovations that help quantify and reduce environmental burdens across products, processes, and supply chains, rather than narrowly targeting a single isolated improvement.

What is considered "Green Engineering" under this program?

Green Engineering encourages research that advances sustainability in manufacturing, buildings, and infrastructure using a holistic, systems approach. The program is especially interested in work that spans multiple processes or sectors, or that proposes broader frameworks for greener infrastructure and built environments. Examples mentioned include more sustainable distribution and collection systems aligned with smart growth, strategies to reduce negative impacts of urban expansion, improved stormwater prevention and management, and recycling/reuse of drinking water as part of sustainable infrastructure development.

What is considered "Ecological Engineering" under this program?

Ecological Engineering focuses on the engineering dimensions of restoring ecological function in natural or degraded systems. Example project types include stream restoration, urban river revitalization, and wetland rehabilitation where rigorous engineering is needed to ensure long-term performance and resilience. A key theme is identifying and advancing the fundamental engineering knowledge required for ecological engineering interventions to remain effective and sustainable over time.

What is considered "Earth Systems Engineering" under this program?

Earth Systems Engineering addresses large-scale engineering challenges tied to regional-to-planetary environmental issues. NSF highlights topics such as mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation to climate change, and other global environmental challenges. Projects often involve complex interactions between engineered and natural systems and may include modeling, risk assessment, and design strategies that handle uncertainty and long-term change.

Can projects outside the four main areas be submitted?

Yes, the program may consider other topics, but NSF indicates that the PI should consult the program director in advance. This is intended to reduce the chance that a proposal is returned without review.

Who should be contacted if a project does not fit neatly into the listed topic areas?

The archived posting encourages investigators proposing work outside the main topic areas to contact the program director in advance. The contact provided is bhamilto@nsf.gov.

What are the expectations regarding student involvement?

NSF indicates that projects should include engineering research participation by at least one graduate student and also include undergraduate involvement.

What does NSF expect proposals to explain about novelty and impact?

Proposals should clearly explain what is novel or potentially transformative compared to prior work, why the research matters for engineering science, and what benefits could result for society and/or industry if the work succeeds.

How are funding decisions made for this program?

NSF notes that funding decisions may reflect more than reviewer scores alone. Decisions can also consider factors such as program balance across subfields, availability of funds, overlap with other funding sources, and broader NSF policies and priorities.

How long are typical awards, and what is the usual funding level?

Unsolicited awards are generally funded for one to three years. The average annual award size is about $100,000.

What happens if a proposal budget is substantially higher than the typical amount?

NSF indicates that proposals requesting substantially more than the average annual award size (about $100,000/year) are expected to be discussed with the program director beforehand. Otherwise, the proposal risks being returned without review.

Does the program support RAPID and EAGER mechanisms?

Yes, when appropriate the opportunity supports NSF mechanisms such as RAPID and EAGER, but they require prior discussion with the program director before submission.

Are CAREER proposals encouraged under this opportunity?

Yes. CAREER proposals are strongly encouraged. NSF notes that CAREER awards typically have a five-year duration and follow a separate annual deadline cycle for engineering CAREER submissions.

What is the estimated total program funding and number of awards?

The archived posting lists an estimated total program funding level of $5.4 million and an expectation of roughly 45 awards.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA listing provided is 47.041 (Engineering Grants).

Is cost sharing required?

No cost-sharing requirement is stated in the archived posting.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, subject to any clarifications in the solicitation text.

What were the submission dates and deadline time listed in the archived notice?

The original submission window for the archived notice ran from January 15, 2013 to February 19, 2013. Proposals were due by 5 p.m. local time.

Why does NSF recommend contacting the program director before submitting certain proposals?

NSF specifically recommends contacting the program director for proposals outside the main topic areas, for proposals seeking substantially more than the typical annual funding level, and for RAPID/EAGER submissions. The intent is to confirm fit and reduce the risk that a proposal is returned without review.