The UEF grant gave DiscoverE the resources to reach thousands of K-12 students who might never have considered engineering as a path forward. Beyond the funding, UEF's commitment to collaboration strengthened our ability to unite partners across the engineering community — making our coalition more powerful and our outreach more impactful. It didn't just fund a program; it helped build the connective tissue that turns individual efforts into a movement for the profession."
Kathy Renzetti, CAE,
Executive Director & CEO
Discover Engineering
Grants Program Overview
If it is Good for the Engineering Profession, Good for Collaboration, and Good for the Public, the UEF Grants Program is Good for You.
All funding for the grants comes from endowment earnings. The UEF gives between 5 – 10 grants per year totaling nearly $800,000.
We invite you to explore the sections below to learn more about the UEF Grant Program.
Background
The United Engineering Foundation advances the engineering arts and sciences for the welfare of humanity. It supports engineering and education by, among other means, making grants.
Scope
Grants should be consistent with advancing engineering.
UEF GRANT INFORMATION
Preferences and Criteria
The UEF Board of Trustees evaluates proposals in view of the UEF mission, the perceived ability of the proposal and proposer(s) to further that mission, the breadth of engineers that will benefit from the proposal, and available funding. Proposals are accepted only from U.S. based organizations classified by the Internal Revenue Service as having 501(c)(3) or (6) status.
Organizations interested in submitting a proposal should be aware of the following UEF criteria and considerations:
- Broad-based, interdisciplinary proposals that further the engineering profession as a whole.
- Projects that benefit the profession on a diverse nationwide scale versus a local or limited audience.
- Proposals that include collaboration of other organizations.
- Projects outside “business as usual” of the proposing organization.
- Technical research proposals are seldom accepted.
- Requests by individuals seeking tuition, research, etc. are seldom considered.
- Allocation of grant funds toward salary and fringe benefits is discouraged.
- Proposals must be created as Word files and then converted to a PDF document. Submitters should not utilize PowerPoint to create or submit their proposal.
- An organization may not submit more than two (2) proposals in a grant cycle.
- While multiple-year proposals are welcome, funding is awarded for a single year only. The same submission process will be required if funding is requested for subsequent years. No commitment for funding of subsequent years of a multiple-year project should be inferred from funding of a prior year.
- Projects must be performed ONLY between January and December of the specific “Grant Year.”
- A copy of the organization’s IRS tax exempt letter will be required for verification of eligibility.
Process
Proposals are accepted from not-for-profit organizations, and groups of such entities, once per year. The grant process consists of two stages:
- Submission of a short 2-page concept paper will be due by 6:00 p.m. EDT on May 1 by completing the online Concept Paper application. A proposal is not accepted until all requested information has been submitted.
- Concept papers more than 2 pages in length will be automatically rejected.
- Any 501(c)(3) or (6) organization may present a maximum of two (2) concept papers in any given award cycle.
- The Grants Committee will convene mid-May to select the concept papers eligible to submit a full proposal (Stage 2). Organizations will be notified of their selection status following the May Grants Committee meeting.
- Organizations invited to submit a full proposal (Stage 2) must do so by 6:00 p.m. EDT August 1, using the online application portal. The deadline date is not subject to change, regardless of the weekday on which it falls.
- A full proposal must be for the approved concept paper only, and no substitutions are accepted for a different program.
- Submissions must be created in Word format and then converted to a PDF format. PowerPoint is not to be used for development or submission of a full proposal.
Full Proposal (Stage 2)
If invited, the full proposal should provide more specifics, including detailed objectives, detailed budget, detailed schedule, business plan, and reporting. Proposals must be submitted as a PDF document via the link provided in the invitation notification.
Report
Accepted proposals will be required to submit reports at the end of the project period to receive the approved funding.
Email: grants@unitedengineeringfnd.org with any questions or issues.
Questions/Contacts
We have created a list of Frequently Asked Questions for your convenience. If you still need assistance, please contact us at director@unitedengineeringfnd.org
