Opportunity Information: Apply for PD 21 7643
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Environmental Sustainability program (Funding Opportunity Number PD 21 7643) funds engineering-focused research that advances sustainable engineered systems which improve human well-being while also protecting and sustaining natural environmental systems. The program sits within NSF's Environmental Engineering and Sustainability cluster alongside the Environmental Engineering and Nanoscale Interactions programs, and it emphasizes research that looks beyond short-term fixes by considering long time horizons, systems-level impacts, and, when appropriate, contributions from the social sciences and ethics. At its core, the program is interested in engineering innovations that help society meet environmental protection goals without undermining stable economic conditions, with clear articulation of both the engineering science contribution and the broader societal or industrial impact.
The program organizes its interests into four main research areas. First, industrial ecology supports work that improves how we measure and model sustainability across products, processes, and economies. This includes advances in life cycle assessment, materials flow analysis, net energy analysis, input-output economic models, and the development of new metrics that better capture sustainability performance; projects that push industrial ecology methods in novel directions are especially encouraged. Second, green engineering funds research aimed at making manufacturing processes, buildings, and infrastructure more sustainable, particularly when the work has broad, cross-cutting relevance rather than being limited to a single chemical or manufacturing process. It favors holistic or systems approaches to infrastructure and green buildings, including improved distribution and collection systems that enable smart growth and reduce negative impacts of development. The program also highlights practical sustainability strategies such as better stormwater management, recycling and reuse of drinking water, and other green engineering techniques that strengthen long-term resilience.
Third, ecological engineering focuses on the engineering side of restoring ecological function in natural systems. Proposals in this area should clearly emphasize engineering principles applied to rehabilitation or enhancement of ecosystems, with an eye toward building or restoring natural capital that supports sustainable development. Fourth, earth systems engineering covers large-scale engineering research tied to global challenges such as greenhouse gas mitigation, climate change adaptation, and related planetary-scale concerns. Across all four areas, proposals are expected to be explicitly framed in an environmental sustainability context and grounded in engineering science rather than primarily in basic environmental science or policy alone.
There are important scope boundaries. Projects centered on water treatment, air pollution (indoor or outdoor), soil remediation, or solid waste treatment should be directed to the separate Environmental Engineering program (CBET 1440), not Environmental Sustainability. The program may consider innovative projects that do not fit neatly into the four core areas, but investigators are strongly advised to contact the program director before submitting to avoid having the proposal returned without review. If the proposed research involves work in regions outside the United States, the proposal must explain how the research will benefit the United States.
From a proposal preparation standpoint, NSF expects applicants to make a clear case for novelty and/or potentially transformative advances compared to prior work, and to explain why the work matters in engineering terms as well as what successful outcomes could mean for society and/or industry. At minimum, the novelty or transformative aspect should be stated in the Project Summary. The program also expects research to include meaningful participation by at least one graduate student and also undergraduates, reflecting NSF's emphasis on training and workforce development. Integrating social, behavioral, and economic science perspectives is welcomed when it strengthens the sustainability analysis or helps connect engineering advances to real-world adoption and outcomes.
On funding mechanics, proposals are accepted at any time (no fixed closing date). Awards for unsolicited proposals in CBET are generally up to three years. Typical single-investigator budgets commonly support one graduate student (or equivalent) and up to one month of PI time per year; multi-investigator projects are often larger, and unusually large budgets should be discussed with the program director in advance. The listing indicates an expected number of awards (103), but no specific award ceiling is provided. The opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant under the NSF CFDA number 47.041, and eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any clarifications that may appear in NSF's eligibility text.
The program also encourages several NSF proposal pathways. CAREER proposals are strongly encouraged for early-career faculty, with a five-year duration and an annual Engineering CAREER deadline in July. NSF also considers conference, workshop, and supplement proposals, but investigators are encouraged to talk with the program director before submitting those. RAPID (Rapid Response Research), EAGER (Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research), and GOALI (industry liaison) proposals are also welcome when appropriate, and these can be submitted any time during the year; however, RAPID and EAGER in particular must be discussed with the program director prior to submission. Finally, all submissions must comply with NSF's Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG); noncompliant proposals can be returned without review.Apply for PD 21 7643
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Environmental Sustainability" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 10, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Proposals accepted anytime. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 103 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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NSF Environmental Sustainability (PD 21 7643) - FAQs
What is the NSF Environmental Sustainability program (PD 21 7643)?
The NSF Environmental Sustainability program funds engineering-focused research that advances sustainable engineered systems. The goal is to improve human well-being while protecting and sustaining natural environmental systems, with attention to long time horizons, systems-level impacts, and (when appropriate) insights from social sciences and ethics.
What kinds of projects is the program trying to support?
The program supports engineering innovations that help society meet environmental protection goals without undermining stable economic conditions. Proposals are expected to clearly articulate both (1) the engineering science contribution and (2) the broader societal and/or industrial impact.
Where does this program sit within NSF?
It sits within NSF's Environmental Engineering and Sustainability cluster, alongside the Environmental Engineering and Nanoscale Interactions programs.
What are the main research areas supported by this program?
The program organizes its interests into four main areas: industrial ecology, green engineering, ecological engineering, and earth systems engineering. Projects should be explicitly framed in an environmental sustainability context and grounded in engineering science.
What counts as "industrial ecology" for this program?
Industrial ecology supports research that improves how sustainability is measured and modeled across products, processes, and economies. Examples include advances in life cycle assessment, materials flow analysis, net energy analysis, input-output economic models, and new sustainability metrics. Projects that push industrial ecology methods in novel directions are especially encouraged.
What counts as "green engineering" for this program?
Green engineering funds research that makes manufacturing processes, buildings, and infrastructure more sustainable, especially when the results are broad and cross-cutting rather than limited to a single chemical or process. The program favors holistic or systems approaches (including infrastructure and green buildings), improved distribution and collection systems that enable smart growth, and practical strategies such as better stormwater management and recycling/reuse of drinking water to strengthen long-term resilience.
What counts as "ecological engineering" for this program?
Ecological engineering focuses on applying engineering principles to restore, rehabilitate, or enhance ecological function in natural systems. Proposals in this area should clearly emphasize the engineering aspects and should connect to building or restoring natural capital that supports sustainable development.
What counts as "earth systems engineering" for this program?
Earth systems engineering covers large-scale engineering research tied to global challenges such as greenhouse gas mitigation and climate change adaptation, along with related planetary-scale concerns.
Are there topics that are considered out of scope for Environmental Sustainability?
Yes. Projects centered on water treatment, air pollution (indoor or outdoor), soil remediation, or solid waste treatment should be directed to the separate NSF Environmental Engineering program (CBET 1440), not Environmental Sustainability.
What if my project does not fit neatly into the four main areas?
The program may consider innovative projects that do not fit neatly into the four core areas, but investigators are strongly advised to contact the program director before submitting to avoid the proposal being returned without review.
Do proposals need to be engineering-focused, or can they be primarily science/policy?
Proposals are expected to be grounded in engineering science and framed explicitly in an environmental sustainability context. The program emphasizes engineering innovations rather than work that is primarily basic environmental science or policy alone.
Does the program encourage the inclusion of social sciences, behavioral science, economics, or ethics?
Yes. Contributions from the social sciences and ethics are emphasized when appropriate, and integrating social, behavioral, and economic science perspectives is welcomed when it strengthens the sustainability analysis or helps connect engineering advances to real-world adoption and outcomes.
What does NSF expect in terms of novelty or transformative potential?
Applicants are expected to make a clear case for novelty and/or potentially transformative advances compared to prior work, and to explain why the work matters in engineering terms as well as what successful outcomes could mean for society and/or industry. At minimum, the novelty or transformative aspect should be stated in the Project Summary.
Are students expected to be involved in the research?
Yes. The program expects meaningful participation by at least one graduate student and also undergraduates, reflecting NSF's emphasis on training and workforce development.
Is there a proposal deadline, or can proposals be submitted any time?
Proposals are accepted at any time; there is no fixed closing date listed for this opportunity.
What is the typical award duration for unsolicited proposals?
Awards for unsolicited proposals in CBET are generally up to three years.
How large are typical budgets for this program?
Typical single-investigator budgets commonly support one graduate student (or equivalent) and up to one month of PI time per year. Multi-investigator projects are often larger. Unusually large budgets should be discussed with the program director in advance.
Is there an award ceiling?
No specific award ceiling is provided in the information given.
How many awards does NSF expect to make under this listing?
The listing indicates an expected number of awards of 103.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any clarifications that may appear in NSF's eligibility text.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under NSF CFDA number 47.041.
Is this a discretionary grant?
Yes. The opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant.
Are projects outside the United States allowed?
If the proposed research involves work in regions outside the United States, the proposal must explain how the research will benefit the United States.
Should I contact the program director before submitting?
Contacting the program director is strongly advised if your project does not fit neatly within the four main areas, if you are considering an unusually large budget, or if you plan to submit certain proposal types (such as RAPID, EAGER, or conference/workshop/supplement proposals).
Are NSF CAREER proposals encouraged under this program?
Yes. CAREER proposals are strongly encouraged for early-career faculty. CAREER awards have a five-year duration and follow NSF's annual Engineering CAREER deadline in July.
Does the program accept conference, workshop, or supplement proposals?
Yes, NSF considers conference, workshop, and supplement proposals, but investigators are encouraged to talk with the program director before submitting these types of requests.
Can RAPID or EAGER proposals be submitted to this program?
Yes. RAPID (Rapid Response Research) and EAGER (Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research) proposals are welcome when appropriate and can be submitted any time during the year, but they must be discussed with the program director prior to submission.
What is a GOALI proposal and is it allowed?
GOALI (industry liaison) proposals are listed as welcome when appropriate and can be submitted any time during the year.
What compliance rules apply to submissions?
All submissions must comply with NSF's Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Noncompliant proposals can be returned without review.
What is the most important framing advice for a competitive submission?
Based on the opportunity description, proposals should (1) be explicitly framed in environmental sustainability, (2) be grounded in engineering science, (3) explain novelty/transformative potential (at least in the Project Summary), (4) articulate engineering contribution and societal/industrial impact, and (5) include meaningful graduate and undergraduate participation.
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