The Research in the Formation of Engineers (RFE) program, under the National Science Foundation’s Engineering Directorate, aims to advance knowledge and practice in the professional formation of engineers. This initiative seeks to build a more inclusive, innovative, and socially responsible engineering profession, responsive to national priorities and emerging workforce needs. Professional formation encompasses the processes, skills, values, and identities developed throughout an engineer's journey, from initial exposure to the profession to lifelong learning and leadership roles. The program emphasizes the importance of cultural, educational, and ethical aspects of engineering, striving to address barriers to participation and ensure broad accessibility to engineering pathways.

RFE supports two primary project categories: Research Projects and Design and Development Projects. Research Projects aim to deepen understanding of the mechanisms, systems, and cultural factors influencing professional formation. Key research areas include lifelong learning, the impact of engineering education research, culture change in engineering education, formation processes in two-year colleges, graduate education, and P-12 settings. Other topics include transitions between education levels, public engagement with engineering, novel research methodologies, the influence of emerging technologies like AI, and the integration of environmental and social sustainability into engineering curricula. Research proposals must clearly articulate research questions, align with theoretical frameworks, and include robust methodologies for sampling, data collection, and analysis. The focus should not be on classroom interventions or curriculum development alone but rather on generating insights applicable across the engineering education system.

Design and Development Projects focus on creating and testing innovative approaches to professional formation. These projects target areas such as graduate education, undergraduate education in emerging engineering technologies and sustainability, education transitions, and P-12 engineering education. Proposals should demonstrate a clear foundation in existing research and theory, articulate measurable objectives, and include an evaluation plan to assess outcomes. Projects must contribute to the broader engineering education literature, ensuring that findings are scalable and transferable beyond individual classroom or institutional contexts.

Successful proposals in either category must demonstrate how research findings or project outcomes will be disseminated, scaled, or translated into practice. Investigators are expected to address the iterative relationship between research and practice, identifying target audiences, effective communication strategies, and partnerships to support adoption and impact. Proposals must also outline a long-term vision for transforming the engineer-formation system, even if those activities extend beyond the proposal's immediate scope.

The RFE program emphasizes addressing systemic barriers to participation in engineering, particularly for historically marginalized and underrepresented groups. Proposals focusing on cultural shifts, inclusive practices, and the intersectionality of engineering identity with other social identities are encouraged. Additionally, research that leverages emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to advance professional formation is of particular interest.

Proposals must adhere to the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and should clearly identify whether they fall under the Research or Design and Development category by including “Research:” or “Design and Development:” in the proposal title. They should also provide a compelling case for the broader societal and professional impacts of the work. The program seeks projects with the potential for transformative contributions to engineering education, ensuring that future engineers are well-prepared to address global challenges, drive innovation, and improve quality of life.