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.

Overview

Administered by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) through the Directorate for Engineering, the TRAILBLAZER program supports 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.

Research Areas

Proposals may address new areas of fundamental or applied research, with particular interest in current priority areas including, but not limited to:

• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Bioengineering
• Quantum engineering
• Robotics
• Nuclear engineering

Funding and Benefits

• Program Funding: $15,000,000
• Funding Instrument Type: Grant
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No
• Opportunity Category: Discretionary
• Assistance Listing: 47.041 -- Engineering

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants: Miscellaneous (Other)

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.

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 eligible organization. Additionally, the PI must have an appointment in an Engineering School or College and/or have earned an Engineering Doctorate degree. For proposals submitted by a non-profit, non-academic organization, the PI must have a continuing appointment expected to last the 3 years of a TRAILBLAZER award, and the appointment must have substantial research responsibilities.

Only single PI TRAILBLAZER proposals will be accepted. Collaborative proposals or proposals with subawards will be returned without review. Prior or concurrent funding support for other projects that overlap with the proposed TRAILBLAZER project will preclude eligibility.

Deadline and Timeline

• Closing Date: July 24, 2026
• Posted Date: December 12, 2025
• Archive Date: August 23, 2026
• Funding Opportunity Number: 26-502

An informational webinar will be hosted by the Emerging Frontiers and Multidisciplinary Activities (EFMA) Office in early calendar year 2026. Details will be posted on the Directorate for Engineering and EFMA websites.

Contact Information

Grantor Contact: NSF grants.gov support
Email: grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov

Link to Additional Information: NSF Publication 26-502