Program Title:
NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (Trailblazer)
Synopsis of Program:
The NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (TRAILBLAZER) program supports individual investigators who propose novel research projects with the potential to innovatively and creatively address national needs and/or grand challenges, advance US leadership, and catalyze the convergence of engineering and science domains. TRAILBLAZER will support engineers and scientists who leverage their distinctive track record of innovation and creativity to pursue new research directions that are distinct from their previous or current research areas.
All funded TRAILBLAZER projects will form an NSF TRAILBLAZER cohort, and principal investigators will be expected to participate in an annual meeting. TRAILBLAZER investigators may also be invited to additional activities.
INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR: The Emerging Frontiers and Multidisciplinary Activities (EFMA) Office will host an informational webinar on October 15, 2024 to discuss the TRAILBLAZER program and answer questions about the FY 2025 TRAILBLAZER solicitation. Details on how to join this webinar will be posted on the Directorate for Engineering and EFMA Websites.
Award Information
Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant
Estimated Number of Awards: 5
The anticipated budget for this program solicitation is $15,000,000 in FY 2025, pending the availability of funds. Each award will be funded as a Standard Grant or Continuing Grant. The Program anticipates making a minimum of 5 awards. Each project may receive support of up to a total of $3,000,000 over three years.
Anticipated Funding Amount: $15,000,000
Pending the availability of funds
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.
Who May Serve as PI:
The PI must hold a tenured or tenure-eligible faculty appointment at the Associate or Full Professor rank or equivalent at an organization that is eligible to submit as described under "Who May Submit Proposals." Additionally, the PI must have an appointment in an Engineering School or College and/or have earned an Engineering Doctorate degree. If the proposal is submitted by a non-profit, non-academic organization, the PI must meet the following requirements: (1) the PI has a continuing appointment that is expected to last the 3 years of a TRAILBLAZER award; and (2) the appointment has substantial research responsibilities.
Prior or concurrent funding support for other projects that overlap with the proposed TRAILBLAZER project will preclude eligibility for a TRAILBLAZER award.
Only single PI TRAILBLAZER proposals will be accepted in response to this solicitation. Collaborative proposals, as described in PAPPG Chapter II.E.3.a. and II.E.3.b,are not allowed. Any proposal submitted with sub-awards, or as separate submissions from multiple organizations, will be returned without review.
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:
There are no restrictions or limits.
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: 1
An eligible Principal Investigator may submit only one TRAILBLAZER proposal in response to this solicitation. If an individual is listed as PI on more than one proposal submitted in response to this solicitation, all proposals submitted after the first one will be returned without review. No co-PIs are permitted for either the preliminary proposal or full proposal submission.
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
Sponsor Type: Government/Federal
Address: 2415 Eisenhower Ave Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 292-5111
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Jun 02, 2025
$15,000,000
5 awards available.
Affiliation: U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
Address: 2415 Eisenhower Ave Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 292-5111
Website URL: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/nsf-trailblazer-engineering-impact-award/nsf24-600/solicitation
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