About CBET

The Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET) is one of four divisions in the U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Engineering. 

CBET supports fundamental engineering research and education focused on: 

  • Chemical and biochemical systems.
  • Environmental engineering and sustainability.
  • Bioengineering and engineering health care.
  • Fundamental transport, thermal and fluid phenomena.

What we support

CBET invests in fundamental research and education across a number of rapidly evolving fields that involve the transformation and transport of matter and energy by chemical, thermal or mechanical means. 

Areas of interest include: 

Core programs

CBET maintains numerous long-term programs, called core programs, that fund research and education. 

The CPS cluster supports fundamental science and engineering research that improves the overall efficiency and product yields of chemical processes while reducing the size and complexity of process equipment and minimizing emissions.

Funded as part of this program cluster:  

The EBH cluster supports engineering research to improve human health and the understanding of biological and physiological systems to solve problems affecting humanity.

Funded as part of this program cluster: 

The EES cluster supports transformative research in sustainable engineering and systems that support the natural environment.

Funded as part of this program cluster:

The TPC supports fundamental research into single- and multiphase flow dynamics, particulate, heat and mass transfer, and combustion and fire dynamics. All these topics share, at a fundamental level, the transport of mass, species, momentum and energy.

Funded as part of this program cluster:

Who we are

CBET's workforce is composed of federal employees and scientists from research institutions in temporary positions with expertise across all engineering fields. 

Our leadership 

Dr. Jeanne VanBriesen
Division Director 

Dr. William Olbricht
Deputy Division Director

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