# NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/26-502-nsf-trailblazer-engineering-impact-award/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361009

> U.S. National Science Foundation offered grants to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make $15.0 million in total. Applications closed on July 24, 2026.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | 26-502 |
| Agency | U.S. National Science Foundation |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | July 24, 2026 |
| Award ceiling | not stated |
| Award floor | not stated |
| Expected awards | not stated |
| Total funding | $15.0 million |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 47.041 |

## Who can apply

- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus. *Who May Serve as PI: The PI must hold a tenured or tenure-eligible faculty appointment at the Associate or Full Professor rank or equivalent at an organization that is eligible to submit as described under "Who May Submit Proposals." Additionally, the PI must have an appointment in an Engineering School or College and/or have earned an Engineering Doctorate degree. If the proposal is submitted by a non-profit, non-academic organization, the PI must meet the following requirements: (1) the PI has a continuing appointment that is expected to last the 3 years of a TRAILBLAZER award; and (2) the appointment has substantial research responsibilities. Prior or concurrent funding support for other projects that overlap with the proposed TRAILBLAZER project will preclude eligibility for a TRAILBLAZER award. Only single PI TRAILBLAZER proposals will be accepted in response to this solicitation. Collaborative proposals,as described in PAPPG ChapterII.E.3.a.andII.E.3.b,are not allowed. Any proposal submittedwith subawards,or as separate submissions from multiple organizations,will be returned without review.

## What the grant funds

The NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (TRAILBLAZER) program supports individual investigators who propose novel research projects with the potential to innovatively and creatively address new areas of fundamental or applied research, catalyze development of new industries or capabilities that increase the leadership position for the country, and/or make significant progress towards addressing a national need or grand challenge, particularly in current priority areas including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence (AI), bioengineering, quantum engineering, robotics, and nuclear engineering. TRAILBLAZER will support engineers and scientists who leverage their distinctive track record of innovation and creativity to pursue new research directions that are distinct from their previous or current research areas. All funded TRAILBLAZER projects will form an NSF TRAILBLAZER cohort, and principal investigators will be expected to participate in an annual meeting. TRAILBLAZER investigators may also be invited to additional activities. INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR:The Emerging Frontiers and Multidisciplinary Activities (EFMA) Office will host an informational webinar in early calendar year 2026 to discuss the TRAILBLAZER program and answer questions about the FY 2026 TRAILBLAZER solicitation. Details on how to join this webinar will be posted on theDirectorate for Engineering and EFMA Websites.

## Questions people ask

### Is NSF 26-502 still open?

No. It closed on July 24, 2026. A newer notice is open: NSF 27-500, closes January 29, 2027 (83 days left).

### Who can apply for NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award?

U.S. National Science Foundation accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award?

Closed July 24, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

About $15.0 million in total.

### Who has won Engineering grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Georgia Tech Research Corp, Purdue University, Regents of the University of Michigan. The program made 11,244 awards worth $4.3 billion in that time.