# PFE: Research Initiation in Engineering Formation (PFE: RIEF) (20-558)

**Plain-English Eligibility Score:** 23/100

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | 20-558 |
| Title | PFE: Research Initiation in Engineering Formation (PFE: RIEF) |
| Agency | U.S. National Science Foundation |
| Status | posted |
| Posted / open date | 2026-09-01 |
| Close date | 2026-11-10 |
| Award ceiling | n/a |
| Award floor | $200,000 |
| Estimated total funding | $3,000,000 |
| Funding category | Science and Technology and other Research and Development |
| Eligible applicants | Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification) |
| Eligibility notes | *Who May Serve as PI: The PFE: RIEF program is designed to expand the community of engineering faculty equipped to conduct research in professional formation of engineers. At least one (co) PI must be a member of an engineering department AND not have received engineering education or professional formation funding through EEC in the last three years. Submissions from faculty with active disc |
| CFDA / Assistance listing | 47.041 |
| Summary | The PFE: Research Initiation in Engineering Formation (PFE: RIEF) program has two goals: 1) Support research in the Professional Formation of Engineers (PFE), and 2) Increase the community of researchers conducting PFE research. PIs are expected to have little or no experience conducting social science or education research. PFE: RIEF is not intended for established researchers in engineering education or other social science fields to initiate new projects. Those researchers should consider the Research in the Formation of Engineers program ( https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/rfe-research-formation-engineers ). The NSF Engineering (ENG) Directorate has launched a multi-year initiati |
| Agency contact | grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov |

## Why this score
- Only 5 days until the deadline.

Source: Grants.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/363764). Last refreshed: 2026-11-04T18:11:59.874Z.
Data from Grants.gov. Always read the full notice of funding opportunity before applying. Informational only; not legal or grant-writing advice.