Engineering (ENG): Chemical, Bioengineering, Energy, and Transport Systems (CBET)
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 19, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for foundational engineering research through NSF's Chemical, Bioengineering, Energy, and Transport Systems program. Academic institutions, national laboratories, and some nonprofit research organizations typically qualify. Research must focus on chemical processes, bioengineering, energy, water, or transport phenomena at the foundational level.
The program supports exploratory and potentially transformative research. Applicants do not need near-term commercial outcomes or deployment plans. Multi-year projects with varying budgets are anticipated based on fund availability.
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Program description
The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Engineering (NSF ENG) supports foundational engineering research for chemical, bioengineering, energy, and transport systems through the following programs:
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The Chemical Process Systems (CPS) program supports foundational engineering research in chemical and biochemical processes for chemicals, fuels, energy, and materials.
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The Engineering Biological and Biomedical Systems (EBBS) program supports foundational engineering research on platforms, devices, organisms, tissues, and processes that advance knowledge and control of biological functions.
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The Energy, Water, and Resource Engineering (EWRE) program supports foundational engineering research to manage energy, water, minerals, and material resources.
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The Transport Phenomena (TP) program supports foundational engineering research to understand, model, and control the transport of mass, momentum, energy, and species across multiple scales.
NSF ENG anticipates a portfolio of ENG: Chemical, Bioengineering, Energy, and Transport Systems (CBET) awards with a range of budgets and durations. Estimated program budget, number of awards, and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.
NSF ENG is particularly interested in intellectually ambitious and potentially transformative foundational research. Proposals need not promise a near-term product, deployment, or commercial outcome, nor need they address later-stage development to be competitive.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF PAPPG form (SF-424 or similar)
- Project Narrative/Research Plan
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (PIs and key personnel)
- Current and Pending Support documentation
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.041 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$41,946,862
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$39,305,237
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$38,714,114
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$38,523,346
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$37,936,436
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$37,861,058
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$37,780,463
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$36,940,111
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$36,277,271
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$36,183,087
Top States by Funding
- TX 3 awards $93.8M
- CA 7 awards $86.9M
- IL 5 awards $78.8M
- NC 3 awards $71.9M
- AZ 2 awards $68.6M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.041). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $752,230,000 | |
| 2025 | $727,730,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $181,990,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this NSF CBET grant?
Typically academic institutions, national laboratories, and eligible nonprofit research organizations. Check NSF's allowable recipient types on the specific program page.
What are the typical award amounts and durations?
Budgets and durations vary. The program anticipates a portfolio with range of sizes and timeframes based on available funding.
Does the research need to lead to a commercial product?
No. NSF values foundational research. Commercial outcome or deployment is not required for competitiveness.
What are the four main focus areas?
Chemical Process Systems, Engineering Biological and Biomedical Systems, Energy/Water/Resource Engineering, and Transport Phenomena.
When is the application deadline?
Check NSF CBET program page for current deadlines. Timing may vary by sub-program.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus on foundational, intellectually ambitious research questions. Apply-focused work may be less competitive.
- Use the specific sub-program (CPS, EBBS, EWRE, or TP) most aligned with your research. Misalignment reduces competitiveness.
- Clearly articulate the knowledge gap your research addresses. NSF prioritizes advancing fundamental understanding.
- Demonstrate feasibility and realistic timelines. Ambitious scope should match proposed scope and budget.
- Involve collaborators from diverse disciplines if your research spans multiple sub-programs or requires interdisciplinary approaches.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals focused solely on near-term applications or commercial development risk lower scores. NSF seeks foundational knowledge advancement. Submitting to the wrong sub-program (CPS vs. EBBS vs. EWRE vs. TP) reduces clarity and competitiveness. Vague research questions or unclear intellectual merit undermine proposals at NSF.
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