Opportunity Information: Apply for 12 534

  • The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education (NUE) in Engineering" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041 Engineering Grants 47.075 Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences 47.076 Education and Human Resources.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Jan 23, 2012 and posted on Jan 23, 2012.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 23, 2012 Full Proposal Deadline(s) April 23, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,900,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
  • Organization Limit Proposals may only be submitted by the following Universities and Colleges Universities and two and four year colleges (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Such organizations also are referred to as academic institutions. PI LimitThe lead PI must hold a faculty appointment within a College/Department of Engineering or College/Department of Engineering Technology within the submitting US academic institution.
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Opportunity Summary:

The Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education (NUE) in Engineering opportunity (NSF Publication 12-534) is a National Science Foundation discretionary grant program designed to strengthen undergraduate engineering education by bringing nanoscale science, engineering, and technology into the curriculum. The central idea is to help engineering programs expose undergraduates to nanotechnology concepts and practices through interdisciplinary teaching approaches, so students graduate with a clearer understanding of nanoscale phenomena and how those ideas translate into real engineering applications and broader societal contexts.

For the FY 2012 competition, NSF highlights two main emphasis areas. One emphasis area is nanoscale engineering education that connects directly to devices and systems, meaning projects that help students understand how nanoscale materials and processes enable or improve engineering components, sensors, electronics, biomedical devices, energy systems, or other engineered technologies. The second emphasis area focuses on the societal, ethical, economic, and environmental dimensions of nanotechnology. This includes education that prepares students to think critically about impacts and tradeoffs, such as safety and risk, regulation and public perception, environmental fate and toxicity, responsible development, equity, and the economic implications of deploying nanotech-enabled products. Proposals can address one or both of these themes, as long as the core purpose remains undergraduate engineering education around nanoscale science and engineering.

The program anticipates making about 10 awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $1.9 million. Individual awards are expected to fall between $100,000 (award floor) and $200,000 (award ceiling). Cost sharing or matching is not required, which means applicants are not obligated to provide institutional funds as a condition of receiving an award, although institutions often contribute in-kind support such as facilities, staff time, or curricular infrastructure.

Eligibility is limited to U.S. academic institutions: accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities, including community colleges, that have a campus located in the United States and submit on behalf of their faculty. The lead principal investigator must hold a faculty appointment in a College or Department of Engineering, or in Engineering Technology, at the submitting institution. This requirement makes it clear that the program is anchored in engineering education rather than being led solely from non-engineering departments, even though interdisciplinary collaboration is encouraged.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a grant funding instrument within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category. The solicitation is associated with multiple CFDA numbers, reflecting the cross-cutting nature of nanoscale education: 47.041 (Engineering Grants), 47.075 (Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences), and 47.076 (Education and Human Resources). That mix signals that competitive proposals may combine engineering content with learning science, assessment, and societal/ethical instruction where appropriate.

Key dates for this specific competition cycle include a posted date of January 23, 2012, and a full proposal deadline of April 23, 2012, with the opportunity archived on May 23, 2012. While those dates apply to the FY 2012 cycle described here, NSF notes that related nanoscale funding opportunities can be found through the National Nanotechnology Initiative and that nanoscale research and education projects also continue to be supported through other relevant NSF programs and divisions. In practical terms, applicants interested in similar work beyond this cycle would typically look for updated NUE solicitations, related NSF education programs, or nanoscale-focused programs across NSF directorates.

For access and support, NSF directs applicants who have trouble obtaining the announcement through Grants.gov to contact grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov. The full solicitation is identified as NSF Publication 12-534, which would contain the detailed requirements for proposal content, allowable activities, review criteria emphasis, and reporting expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education (NUE) in Engineering opportunity?

The Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education (NUE) in Engineering opportunity (NSF Publication 12-534) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) discretionary grant program focused on strengthening undergraduate engineering education by integrating nanoscale science, engineering, and technology into the undergraduate curriculum.

What is the main purpose of the NUE in Engineering program?

The central purpose is to help engineering programs expose undergraduate students to nanotechnology concepts and practices using interdisciplinary teaching approaches, so graduates leave with a clearer understanding of nanoscale phenomena, how those ideas translate into real engineering applications, and how nanotechnology relates to broader societal contexts.

Is this program focused on education, research, or both?

Based on the description provided, the core purpose is undergraduate engineering education related to nanoscale science and engineering. Projects may incorporate interdisciplinary content (including societal and ethical dimensions), but the primary focus remains strengthening the undergraduate engineering curriculum and learning experiences around nanotechnology.

What are the FY 2012 emphasis areas for this competition?

NSF highlights two main emphasis areas for FY 2012:

  • Nanoscale engineering education connected to devices and systems (helping students understand how nanoscale materials and processes enable or improve engineered technologies such as sensors, electronics, biomedical devices, energy systems, and other components and systems).
  • Societal, ethical, economic, and environmental dimensions of nanotechnology (preparing students to think critically about impacts and tradeoffs such as safety and risk, regulation and public perception, environmental fate and toxicity, responsible development, equity, and economic implications).

Can a proposal address both emphasis areas?

Yes. Proposals can address one or both emphasis areas, as long as the core purpose remains undergraduate engineering education focused on nanoscale science and engineering.

How many awards does NSF expect to make and what is the total anticipated funding?

The program anticipates making about 10 awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $1.9 million for the FY 2012 competition.

What is the expected award size for individual grants?

Individual awards are expected to range from $100,000 (award floor) to $200,000 (award ceiling).

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. Cost sharing or matching is not required. Applicants are not obligated to provide institutional funds as a condition of receiving an award, although institutions may contribute in-kind support (such as facilities, staff time, or curricular infrastructure).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to U.S. academic institutions, including accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities (including community colleges), provided they have a campus located in the United States and submit proposals on behalf of their faculty.

Are community colleges eligible?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes accredited two-year colleges, including community colleges, as eligible U.S. academic institutions (as long as they have a U.S.-located campus and submit on behalf of their faculty).

Does the submitting institution need to be located in the United States?

Yes. Eligibility is limited to institutions that have a campus located in the United States.

Who can serve as the lead Principal Investigator (PI)?

The lead PI must hold a faculty appointment in a College or Department of Engineering, or in Engineering Technology, at the submitting institution.

Does the program allow interdisciplinary collaboration?

Yes. Interdisciplinary teaching approaches and collaboration are encouraged, but the program is clearly anchored in engineering education, as reflected by the requirement that the lead PI be appointed in Engineering or Engineering Technology.

What types of topics fall under the devices and systems emphasis area?

Projects under this emphasis area focus on nanoscale engineering education that connects to devices and systems. Examples described include helping students understand how nanoscale materials and processes enable or improve engineering components, sensors, electronics, biomedical devices, energy systems, and other engineered technologies.

What types of topics fall under the societal, ethical, economic, and environmental emphasis area?

This emphasis area includes educational activities that prepare students to think critically about nanotechnology impacts and tradeoffs, such as safety and risk, regulation and public perception, environmental fate and toxicity, responsible development, equity, and economic implications of deploying nanotech-enabled products.

What is the funding instrument and activity category for this opportunity?

This opportunity uses a grant funding instrument and is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development activities.

What CFDA numbers are associated with the NUE in Engineering solicitation?

The solicitation is associated with multiple CFDA numbers:

  • 47.041 (Engineering Grants)
  • 47.075 (Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences)
  • 47.076 (Education and Human Resources)

What do the multiple CFDA numbers suggest about proposal content?

The mix of CFDA numbers signals the cross-cutting nature of nanoscale education. Competitive proposals may combine engineering content with learning science, assessment, and societal/ethical instruction where appropriate, while keeping the core focus on undergraduate engineering education.

What are the key dates for the FY 2012 competition cycle described?

The key dates listed for the FY 2012 cycle are:

  • Posted date: January 23, 2012
  • Full proposal deadline: April 23, 2012
  • Archive date: May 23, 2012

Is this opportunity still open?

The dates provided indicate the FY 2012 competition cycle, and the opportunity is described as archived on May 23, 2012. Based on the information provided only, this specific cycle is not presented as currently open.

Where should applicants look for similar opportunities after this archived cycle?

NSF notes that related nanoscale funding opportunities can be found through the National Nanotechnology Initiative, and that nanoscale research and education projects continue to be supported through other NSF programs and divisions. In practice, interested applicants would typically look for updated NUE solicitations, related NSF education programs, or nanoscale-focused programs across NSF directorates.

What is the official identifier for the full solicitation?

The full solicitation is identified as NSF Publication 12-534.

Where can applicants find detailed proposal requirements and expectations?

NSF Publication 12-534 would contain the detailed requirements for proposal content, allowable activities, review criteria emphasis, and reporting expectations.

What should I do if I cannot access the announcement through Grants.gov?

NSF directs applicants who have trouble obtaining the announcement through Grants.gov to contact Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.

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