Division of Engineering Education and Centers

The National Science Foundation Division of Engineering Education and Centers, a civilian sub-agency within NSF, administers federal grants and contracts supporting engineering education programs, research centers, and workforce development initiatives across U.S. institutions and organizations.

On the contract side, activity is minimal. The division has awarded 14 contracts totaling $11.2 million in combined potential value since 2013, with $7 million obligated to date. Recent contract volume has been sparse: 3 awards in 2020, 1 in 2019, 2 in 2018, 3 in 2017, and 1 most recently in December 2025. The contract portfolio spans 11 distinct prime contractors with highly fragmented concentration — Priwils Inc. holds the only recorded award in the last five years ($4.4 million, single contract). The majority of contract awards (71%) carry no set-aside designation; 8(a) sole-source and small-business awards each represent 14% of the contract footprint.

Grant making is the dominant activity. The division has awarded 1,244 grants totaling $1.1 billion in combined federal dollars obligated since 2003. Grant volume has declined in recent years: 114 awards in 2023, 109 in 2024, 104 in 2025, and 76 so far in 2026. The most recently recorded grant award is dated January 2027. Grant recipients remain fragmented across 260 distinct institutions and organizations, with the top five recipients — Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (24 awards, $7.5 million), Purdue University (20 awards, $5.8 million), Regents of the University of Michigan (17 awards, $3.2 million), The Ohio State University (15 awards, $30.1 million), and The Pennsylvania State University (12 awards, $4.3 million) — collectively holding 16 percent of recent awards. By federal dollars obligated, the top five recipients account for only 7 percent of combined federal funding, indicating substantial distribution across the broader recipient base. Grants are predominantly structured as Project Grants (98% of awards), with Cooperative Agreements comprising the remaining 2 percent.

No recent contract opportunities are recorded against the division. No recent grant opportunities are recorded against the division.

The NSF Division of Engineering Education and Centers (EEC) invests in the creation of 21st century engineers and the discovery of new technologies through transformational center-based research, research in education and inclusion, and research opportunities for students and teachers