Engineering for the Built Environment Research Grants

Synopsis

Supports fundamental research on civil infrastructure and civil infrastructure systems, from materials to global networks, for prosperous, resilient and safe communities.

People rely on the built environment for water, energy, and other essential services. The built environment comprises human-made or modified structures, infrastructure and infrastructure systems, and landscapes. The engineering of such a complex environment can focus on single components or structures, as well as on integrated and interdependent networks and systems.

The prosperity, health, and security of the nation depend on an efficient and effective built environment. Communities rely on the built environment to perform well under all operational conditions. Aging, poor planning, and unexpected interactions with people among interconnected systems can hinder performance or risk lives. Extreme events can cause severe damage, harm people and disrupt the economy.

The Engineering for the Built Environment (EBE) program aims to enhance the adaptability, sustainability, and resilience of the built environment. EBE supports fundamental research on engineered and natural infrastructure elements, systems, and systems-of-systems. The program’s scope spans a wide range of scales, from material formulation to response to global networks. The program considers research on the performance, design, and operation of infrastructure in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Operating conditions may include hazards, extreme events, and cascading effects.

The EBE program supports research that advances engineering science. EBE research includes the creation of innovative frameworks, theories, or methods. These advances improve the design, operation, and resilience of the built environment and its interactions with people. Research may be experimental, analytical, computational, and/or based on artificial intelligence. The program supports research on coupled multi-physics, multi-scale (spatial and temporal), and multi-functional response.

The EBE program supports research that contributes to NSF’s statutory role in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP), and the National Landslide Preparedness Act.

Principal Investigators are encouraged to use NSF Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NSF NHERI) resources (https://www.designsafe-ci.org/).

Partnerships: To speed discovery and innovation, NSF partners with federal agencies, industry, international groups, and others. Current opportunities are at NSF ENG Partnerships.

This program advances NSF’s mission as given in the NSF organic statute (42 U.S.C. 1861, et seq.).

Program contacts

Awards made through this program

Browse projects funded by this program

Map of recent awards made through this program

Organization(s)

• Directorate for Engineering (ENG)
• Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (ENG/CMMI)

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Published:

April 17, 2026