How to get Involved

The NSF Engines team has created an interest form to help members of the innovation community connect with and support the NSF Engines Development Awardees and NSF Engines Awardees. NSF recognizes that building robust innovation ecosystems across the country requires identifying and working with new sources of talent and building diverse collaborations. The goal of this interest form is to create an entry point for individuals, organizations, and funders who are interested in supporting our portfolio of NSF Engine awardees and/or working within an NSF Engine to share their information.  

Fill out the interest form. 

We are searching for leaders with expertise in industry, government, civil society and strategic partnerships. Open NSF Engines positions can be found within NSF’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships' careers page. 

If you would like to serve as a review panel member for the NSF Engines program, please complete the reviewer interest survey. 

Email our staff about your interest in providing funding for an NSF Engine. Most emails are answered within a few business days. 

Using a cohort model and emphasizing the importance of mentorship, the NSF Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies, or ExLENT, program offers workforce development opportunities to help individuals gain valuable work experience in emerging technology areas. ExLENT will connect interested companies, governments and nonprofits with current and potential learners. With awards of up to $1 million over three years, the program will promote partnerships between organizations in emerging technology fields and those with expertise in workforce development. 

NSF Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity, or EPIIC, program is encouraging minority-serving institutions, two-year institutions, primarily undergraduate institutions and other emerging research institutions to participate in regional innovation ecosystems and potentially partner with a future NSF Regional Innovation Engine. The program will invest up to $400,000 per award over three years to develop the capacity and institutional knowledge needed to build new partnerships and secure future external funding, enabling awardees to tap into their regional innovation ecosystems. 

NSF is seeking one or more organizations to develop, launch and run a Builder Platform that will significantly contribute to the success of NSF Engines awardees. The three-year, $9.5 million Builder Platform contract will be a central component of the NSF Engines program, functioning as a human-centered network of support structures and offerings that will empower the NSF Engines with the tools, skills, networks and access to capital needed to thrive and attain success. 

To apply, NSF invites submission of an application and supporting documents by June 12, 2023. To learn more about the Builder Platform effort, review the Builder Platform solution offering.   

Upcoming Builder Platform Webinars and Office Hours

The NSF Engines program is hosting Office Hours in May and June for the Builder Platform. In this session, program directors will answer questions about the proposal process. We ask that you please sign up for only one office hour session, as spots are limited. Office hours will be structured as small group discussions. 

Office Hours will take place on the following days: 

Monday, May 22, 2023, 12–1 p.m. ET
Register for the May 22 office hour. 

Tuesday, May 23, 2023, 2–3 p.m. ET 
Register for the May 23 office hour. 

Tuesday, June 6, 2023, 3–4 p.m. ET 
Register for the June 6 office hour. 

Email the NSF Engines program to let us know about a potential connection for the NSF Engines program. Most emails are answered within a few business days. 

Email the NSF Engines program to provide feedback, or ask questions about the program. Most emails are answered within a few business days. 

Sign up for the NSF Engines email list