NSF Boosting Research Ideas for Transformative and Equitable Advances in Engineering | 25 512

BRITE (NSF 25-512) Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the NSF BRITE program?

Boosting Research Ideas for Transformative and Equitable Advances in Engineering (BRITE) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funding opportunity housed in the Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI). It is designed to expand knowledge while strengthening a diverse and inclusive science and engineering workforce, and it explicitly encourages intellectual risk taking that can be difficult to justify in standard, core-program proposals.

2) What is BRITE trying to fund, at a high level?

BRITE supports fundamental research that creates new knowledge in one or more CMMI program areas. The emphasis is on deliberate, higher-risk research moves rather than minor extensions of an existing line of work. BRITE is intended to create space for experienced, tenured researchers to pivot into an area where they do not yet have an established track record or to rebuild momentum after a gap in research activity.

3) What does NSF mean by a "pivot" or a "relaunch" in BRITE?

The solicitation describes two types of changes BRITE is meant to enable: (a) a serious research pivot into a new area where the PI does not yet have an established track record, including learning unfamiliar tools or methodologies and immersing in a new domain; or (b) a relaunch after a hiatus in research activity, using the award period to reestablish sustained productivity and broader impacts anchored by a strong research idea.

4) What are the two BRITE tracks?

There are two tracks:

• BRITE Pivot: for researchers who are currently active and want to move quickly into a new research area where they do not have a proven track record, or who want to bring in techniques, perspectives, or methods from another discipline to open up new research directions.
• BRITE Relaunch: for experienced researchers who have had a hiatus in research activity and need support to reestablish sustained productivity and broader impacts, based on a research idea with strong potential to advance knowledge.

5) Who is eligible to be the PI?

The PI must be tenured (Associate or Full Professor, or equivalent) at an eligible U.S. organization.

6) Are co-PIs allowed on BRITE proposals?

No. Co-PIs are not allowed. Proposals that include co-PIs are not consistent with the stated program rules.

7) Are collaborative proposals allowed (separately submitted collaborative proposals)?

No. Separately submitted collaborative proposals are not permitted and will be returned without review.

8) Can I include collaborators at all?

Yes, but only in a limited way that aligns with the program intent. The PI may include a collaborator as senior personnel, as long as that role is limited and consistent with BRITE's goal that the primary investment is in the PI and their transition or relaunch.

9) What happens if my proposal is outside CMMI scope?

BRITE proposals must be clearly within CMMI scope. Submissions that fall outside those bounds will be returned without review.

10) Does BRITE support incremental extensions of existing work?

The solicitation emphasizes that the work should not be a minor extension of an existing line of research. Instead, it should reflect a deliberate shift such as learning unfamiliar tools or methodologies, entering a new domain, or pursuing a higher-risk and potentially higher-reward path than what is typically competitive in standard programs.

11) What kinds of outcomes are expected from a BRITE award?

Each proposal is expected to identify key research outcomes and provide a credible plan for the requested funding period. The proposal should explain how the PI will use the award to create a foundation for new directions and lasting impact, with the expectation that fresh directions, new skills, and cross-disciplinary immersion can lead to new fundamental discoveries and longer-term innovation.

12) Do prospective PIs need to contact NSF before submitting?

NSF strongly encourages prospective PIs to contact the relevant Program Officer before submission to confirm that the idea is responsive to the solicitation.

13) What organizations are eligible to submit BRITE proposals?

Eligible submitting organizations include:

• U.S.-based institutions of higher education (two- or four-year, including community colleges), accredited and with a U.S. campus.
• Certain U.S. non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research labs, and professional societies that are directly tied to education or research activities.

14) Can a proposal include funding connected to an international branch campus?

Yes, but with a specific requirement. If a proposal includes funding for an international branch campus of a U.S. institution of higher education (including via subawards or consultants), the submission must explain why the international location benefits the project and why the work cannot be performed at the U.S. campus.

15) How much funding does BRITE typically provide?

Funding is expected to be in the range of $100,000 to $200,000 per year for a standard three-year duration.

16) What is the maximum award size and maximum project length?

The award period cannot exceed 36 months, and total funding cannot exceed $600,000.

17) Can an investigator have more than one BRITE award at a time?

No. An investigator can hold only one active BRITE award at a time.

18) Are there cohort or community participation requirements for awardees?

Yes. All funded projects will be organized into an NSF BRITE cohort. Investigators must attend an annual PI meeting and may be invited to additional cohort activities, which support shared learning and community building among awardees making nontraditional research moves.

19) What is required in the Project Description?

Within the 15-page limit, the Project Description must include five clearly labeled sections titled:

• Past Contributions
• Research Approach and Research Plan
• Track Relevance
• Outcomes
• Broadening Participation Plan

20) What does NSF seem to want to see in those five required sections?

Based on the stated structure, NSF is signaling that proposals should show: evidence of the PI's prior impact (Past Contributions), a realistic plan for executing the new direction (Research Approach and Research Plan), a direct explanation of why the chosen BRITE track fits (Track Relevance), concrete expected results (Outcomes), and a thoughtful plan to broaden participation in engineering research (Broadening Participation Plan).

21) What is the NSF funding opportunity number for BRITE?

The opportunity is listed as NSF Funding Opportunity Number 25-512.

22) What is the closing date listed for this opportunity?

The original closing date is 2025-03-03.