Engineering (ENG): Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI)
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 5, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S. academic researchers, engineers, and institutions conducting foundational research in civil, mechanical, and manufacturing innovation. Eligible applicants typically include universities, colleges, nonprofit research organizations, and other federally-funded research centers. The grant supports research across four programs: Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering for the Built Environment, Intelligent and Interactive Dynamic Systems, and Mechanics of Advanced Materials Systems.
Research must address foundational science and engineering questions. Near-term commercialization or product development is not required. Projects may span various budget levels and durations based on research scope and funding availability.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Engineering (NSF ENG) supports foundational research projects for civil, mechanical, and manufacturing innovation through the following programs:
-
The Advanced Manufacturing, Design, and Operations (AMDO) program supports foundational research on advanced manufacturing, materials and service processes; their integration into facilities, supply chains, and other systems; and the optimal operation and design of these systems.
-
The Engineering for the Built Environment (EBE) program supports foundational research on civil infrastructure and civil infrastructure systems, from materials to network sciences, for prosperous, resilient, and safe communities.
-
The Intelligent and Interactive Dynamic Systems (IIDS) program supports foundational research to advance the science and engineering of intelligent dynamic systems, including engineered systems that interact with people.
-
The Mechanics of Advanced Materials Systems (MAMS) program supports foundational research on deformation and failure in engineered and biological materials.
NSF ENG anticipates a portfolio of ENG: Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI) 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
- Project Narrative (research proposal)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Curriculum Vitae (key personnel)
- Facilities and Resources description
- Letters of Collaboration (if applicable)
- Current and Pending Support (other funding)
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
-
$41,946,862
-
$39,305,237
-
$38,714,114
-
$38,523,346
-
$37,936,436
-
$37,861,058
-
$37,780,463
-
$36,940,111
-
$36,277,271
-
$36,183,087
Top States by Funding
- TX 3 awards $93.8M
- CA 7 awards $86.9M
- NC 3 awards $71.9M
- IL 4 awards $70.5M
- AZ 2 awards $68.7M
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 is eligible to apply for this NSF CMMI grant?
Universities, colleges, nonprofit research organizations, and federally-funded research centers are typically eligible. Individual researchers should work through an eligible institution. Check NSF's general eligibility requirements for your organization type.
What kind of research does this grant support?
Foundational research in civil infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, intelligent systems, and materials science. The focus is on early-stage, intellectually ambitious work—not near-term products or commercial applications.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. NSF CMMI does not require cost-sharing or matching funds from your organization.
How competitive is this grant?
NSF is highly competitive. Success requires novel research questions, strong methodology, and clear intellectual merit. Reviewers prioritize transformative potential over incremental advances.
What is the typical award size?
NSF ENG operates a portfolio approach with variable budgets and durations. Award size depends on research scope, disciplinary norms, and available funding. Check recent program announcements for typical ranges.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus on intellectual merit and broader impacts. NSF weighs these equally. Explain why your research advances the field and benefits society.
- Avoid mentioning near-term commercialization. NSF supports foundational research. Emphasize fundamental science questions, not product development timelines.
- Align your proposal clearly with one of the four CMMI programs (AMDO, EBE, IIDS, or MAMS). Reviewers need to see fit.
- Include preliminary data or feasibility evidence. Even early-stage research benefits from proof-of-concept results or strong theoretical grounding.
- Build a realistic budget and timeline. NSF expects reasonable resource requests matched to research scope. Justify personnel, equipment, and travel.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Overemphasizing commercial potential or near-term applications instead of foundational research value. NSF CMMI funds basic science, not product development. Submitting unfocused proposals that don't clearly align with one of the four CMMI program areas. Poor articulation of intellectual merit—reviewers need to see why the research advances knowledge, not just what you will do.
Similar grants
- OPEN Engineering (ENG): Chemical, Bioengineering, Energy, and Transport Systems (CBET) — U.S. National Science Foundation
- OPEN EMERGING FRONTIERS IN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION (EFRI-2026/27): Wave-Based Computing ( EFRI-WBC) — U.S. National Science Foundation
- OPEN Transport Phenomena (TP) — U.S. National Science Foundation
- OPEN Accelerating Scale-up and Pre-piloting of Emerging Chemical Technologies (ASPECT) — Golden Field Office
- OPEN Advancing Oil and Natural Gas Production and Delivery — National Energy Technology Laboratory