NSF TRAILBLAZER Engineering Impact Award
Quick Facts
- Agency
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Funding
- Varies, typically $500,000 - $3,000,000
- Deadline
- April 13, 2026 (62 days remaining)
- Status
- Active
- Eligibility
- Individuals at U.S. universities, colleges, or non-profits
About This Grant
NSF TRAILBLAZER Engineering Impact Award is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). Funds bold, innovative engineering projects addressing national needs, including AI-related engineering education and curriculum innovation through convergence of engineering and science.
Official opportunity description and requirements excerpt:
NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (TRAILBLAZER) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation An official website of the United States government Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS. or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Research Experiences for Undergraduates For Early-Career Researchers Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) How We Make Funding Decisions Request a Change to Your Award Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) NSF Public Access Repository Who to Contact With Questions Facilities and Infrastructure Updates on NSF Priorities Our Directorates & Offices Biological Sciences (BIO) Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE) Integrative Activities (OIA) International Science & Engineering (OISE) Mathematical & Physical Sciences (MPS) Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences (SBE) Technology, Innovation & Partnerships (TIP) National Center for Science & Engineering Statistics (NCSES) National Science Board (NSB) NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (TRAILBLAZER) NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (TRAILBLAZER) NSF's implementation of the revised 2 CFR NSF Financial Assistance awards (grants and cooperative agreements) made on or after October 1, 2024, will be subject to the applicable set of award conditions, dated October 1, 2024, available on the NSF website . These terms and conditions are consistent with the revised guidance specified in the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2024. Important information for proposers All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in this funding opportunity and in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted. It is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets these requirements. Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement. Updates to NSF Research Security Policies On July 10, 2025, NSF issued an Important Notice providing updates to the agency's research security policies, including a research security training requirement, Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program annual certification requirement, prohibition on Confucius institutes and an updated FFDR reporting and submission timeline. Supports individual investigators in pursuing bold, innovative research that addresses national needs, strengthens U.S. leadership and fosters advances in areas such as AI, quantum engineering, bioengineering, robotics and nuclear engineering. Supports individual investigators in pursuing bold, innovative research that addresses national needs, strengthens U.S. leadership and fosters advances in areas such as AI,
Application snapshot: target deadline April 13, 2026; published funding information Varies, typically $500,000 - $3,000,000; eligibility guidance Individuals at U.S. universities, colleges, or non-profits
Use the official notice and source links for final requirements, attachment checklists, allowable costs, and submission instructions before applying.
Official Opportunity Details
Extracted from the official opportunity page/RFP to help you evaluate fit faster.
NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (TRAILBLAZER) | NSF - U. S. National Science Foundation An official website of the United States government Official websites use .
gov A . gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .
gov websites use HTTPS. or https:// means you've safely connected to the . gov website.
Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Research Experiences for Undergraduates For Early-Career Researchers Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) How We Make Funding Decisions Request a Change to Your Award Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) NSF Public Access Repository Who to Contact With Questions Facilities and Infrastructure Updates on NSF Priorities Our Directorates & Offices Biological Sciences (BIO) Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE) Integrative Activities (OIA) International Science & Engineering (OISE) Mathematical & Physical Sciences (MPS) Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences (SBE) Technology, Innovation & Partnerships (TIP) National Center for Science & Engineering Statistics (NCSES) National Science Board (NSB) NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (TRAILBLAZER) NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (TRAILBLAZER) NSF's implementation of the revised 2 CFR NSF Financial Assistance awards (grants and cooperative agreements) made on or after October 1, 2024, will be subject to the applicable set of award conditions, dated October 1, 2024, available on the NSF website .
These terms and conditions are consistent with the revised guidance specified in the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2024.
Important information for proposers All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in this funding opportunity and in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted. It is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets these requirements.
Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.
Updates to NSF Research Security Policies On July 10, 2025, NSF issued an Important Notice providing updates to the agency's research security policies, including a research security training requirement, Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program annual certification requirement, prohibition on Confucius institutes and an updated FFDR reporting and submission timeline.
Supports individual investigators in pursuing bold, innovative research that addresses national needs, strengthens U. S. leadership and fosters advances in areas such as AI, quantum engineering, bioengineering, robotics and nuclear engineering.
Supports individual investigators in pursuing bold, innovative research that addresses national needs, strengthens U. S. leadership and fosters advances in areas such as AI, quantum engineering, bioengineering, robotics and nuclear engineering.
The NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (TRAILBLAZER) program supports individual investigators who propose novel research projects with the potential to innovatively and creatively address new areas of fundamental or applied research, catalyze development of new industries or capabilities that increase the leadership position for the country, and/or make significant progress towards addressing a national need or grand challenge, particularly in current priority areas including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence (AI), bioengineering, quantum engineering, robotics, and nuclear engineering.
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 in early calendar year 2026 to discuss the TRAILBLAZER program and answer questions about the FY 2026 TRAILBLAZER solicitation. Details on how to join this webinar will be posted on the Directorate for Engineering and EFMA Websites.
Updates and announcements NSF TRAILBLAZER webinar materials now available U. S.
National Science Foundation Directorate for Engineering Office of Emerging Frontiers and Multidisciplinary Activities January 13, 2026 - NSF TRAILBLAZER Informational Webinar Awards made through this program Browse projects funded by this program Map of recent awards made through this program Directorate for Engineering (ENG) Office of Emerging Frontiers and Multidisciplinary Activities (ENG/EFMA) Preliminary proposal required Due by 5pm submitting organization's local time Pending the availability of funds.
Estimated number of awards Proposals may only be submitted by certain types of PIs. Please see solicitation for details. Limit on number of proposals per PI or Co-PI Limit on number of proposals per PI or co-PI description 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. Review full program guidelines and learn how to submit a proposal in the latest solicitation.
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Eligibility Requirements
- Individuals at U.S. universities, colleges, or non-profits
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for NSF TRAILBLAZER Engineering Impact Award?
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Individuals at U.S. universities, colleges, or non-profits Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
What is the typical funding level for NSF TRAILBLAZER Engineering Impact Award?
Current published award information indicates Varies, typically $500,000 - $3,000,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
When is the deadline for NSF TRAILBLAZER Engineering Impact Award?
The current target date is April 13, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
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