Opportunity Information: Apply for 18 525
The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET), is offering the Re-entry to Active Research (RARE) program, a grant opportunity designed to help highly qualified scientists and engineers restart and strengthen their academic research careers after a hiatus. The core aim is to support investigators who have stepped away from active research and are now seeking to reestablish momentum toward success in the academic tenure system, whether that means returning to a tenure-track pathway or advancing to a higher academic rank. By creating structured re-entry points, NSF is both reinvesting in a pool of extensively trained researchers and promoting broader participation in the academic workforce, including greater diversity of experiences and career paths.
RARE proposals must center on potentially transformative research that fits within the scope of participating CBET program areas. In other words, applicants are expected to propose credible, high-impact research aligned with CBET priorities in fields spanning chemical engineering, bioengineering, environmental engineering, and transport-related systems. The program explicitly recognizes that a research hiatus can create gaps in a publication record, funding history, or technical currency, and it is structured to accommodate those realities rather than treat them as automatic disqualifiers.
The program is divided into two tracks, each tailored to a different kind of re-entry need. Track 1 is meant for investigators who are ready to jump back into competitive research activity and primarily need an opportunity that fairly accounts for time away from research. Track 1 proposals are essentially standard CBET unsolicited research proposals in terms of scope and budgeting, following the normal budget rules of the relevant CBET program, but reviewed with an understanding that the applicant may have a hiatus-related gap in their recent track record.
Track 2 is designed for investigators whose time away has made retraining necessary, such as learning updated methods, tools, or experimental and computational techniques that are now essential for competitiveness in their area. Track 2 proposals must clearly explain what new skills or techniques are needed, how the retraining will occur, and how that retraining will position the investigator to return to strong, competitive CBET research. The Track 2 budget is intentionally limited to expenses directly tied to retraining and retooling, including items like travel to a workshop or conference, registration fees, support for a retraining sabbatical, and seed funds to gather preliminary data. Allowable seed funding may cover practical costs required to produce early results, such as limited salary support, equipment or facility usage fees, materials, and supplies, as long as those costs are tied to enabling the investigator to re-enter active research competitively.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary NSF grant under CFDA 47.041. Proposals are accepted on an ongoing basis (no single fixed deadline is stated), and NSF anticipates making around four awards, with an award ceiling of up to $300,000. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional clarification referenced in the full eligibility guidance, so prospective applicants should confirm their fit under NSF's specific eligibility language for this opportunity. Questions about the program can be directed to RAREquestions@NSF.GOV or to the designated RARE Program Officer(s) associated with the solicitation.Apply for 18 525
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Re-entry to Active Research Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 08, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Proposals accepted anytime. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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NSF CBET Re-entry to Active Research (RARE) Program - FAQs
1) What is the NSF CBET Re-entry to Active Research (RARE) program?
The Re-entry to Active Research (RARE) program is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funding opportunity offered through the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET). It is designed to help highly qualified scientists and engineers restart and strengthen their academic research careers after a hiatus from active research.
2) What is the main purpose of RARE?
RARE aims to support investigators who stepped away from active research and now want to reestablish momentum toward success in the academic tenure system. This can include returning to a tenure-track pathway or progressing to a higher academic rank. The program also seeks to broaden participation in the academic workforce by supporting a wider range of career paths and experiences.
3) Which NSF division and program areas are involved?
RARE is offered through NSF's CBET division. Proposals must fit within the scope of participating CBET program areas, which span chemical engineering, bioengineering, environmental engineering, and transport-related systems.
4) What kind of research does RARE support?
RARE proposals must center on potentially transformative research that aligns with participating CBET program areas. Applicants are expected to propose credible, high-impact research that fits CBET priorities.
5) Does RARE account for gaps in publications or funding due to a research hiatus?
Yes. The program explicitly recognizes that time away from research can create gaps in a publication record, funding history, or technical currency. RARE is structured to accommodate these realities rather than treat them as automatic disqualifiers.
6) What are the two RARE tracks?
RARE includes two tracks:
- Track 1: For investigators ready to return to competitive research activity and who primarily need a fair review that accounts for time away.
- Track 2: For investigators who need retraining or retooling due to updated methods, tools, or experimental/computational techniques that are now important for competitiveness.
7) Who is Track 1 best suited for?
Track 1 is intended for investigators who are ready to re-enter active, competitive research now and mainly need an opportunity that evaluates their proposal with an understanding of the hiatus-related gap in recent research activity.
8) How are Track 1 proposals structured?
Track 1 proposals are essentially standard CBET unsolicited research proposals in terms of scope and budgeting. They follow the normal budget rules of the relevant CBET program area, but are reviewed with awareness that the investigator may have a gap due to a research hiatus.
9) Who is Track 2 best suited for?
Track 2 is meant for investigators whose time away from research makes retraining necessary. This may include learning updated methods, tools, or experimental and computational techniques needed to be competitive in their CBET research area.
10) What must a Track 2 proposal explain?
A Track 2 proposal must clearly describe:
- Which new skills or techniques are needed
- How the retraining will occur (the plan for retraining)
- How the retraining will position the investigator to return to strong, competitive CBET research
11) What expenses are allowed under Track 2?
Track 2 budgets are intentionally limited to expenses directly tied to retraining and retooling. Examples mentioned include:
- Travel to a workshop or conference
- Registration fees
- Support for a retraining sabbatical
- Seed funds to gather preliminary data
12) What can Track 2 seed funding be used for?
Allowable seed funding may cover practical costs needed to generate early results, as long as those costs enable competitive re-entry to active research. Examples mentioned include limited salary support, equipment or facility usage fees, materials, and supplies.
13) Is there a deadline for RARE proposals?
Proposals are accepted on an ongoing basis. No single fixed deadline is stated in the information provided.
14) How many awards does NSF expect to make under this opportunity?
NSF anticipates making around four awards.
15) What is the maximum award size (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is up to $300,000.
16) What type of grant is this (administrative classification)?
This is described as a discretionary NSF grant under CFDA 47.041.
17) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional clarification referenced in the full eligibility guidance for the opportunity. Prospective applicants should confirm their fit under NSF's specific eligibility language.
18) Where can applicants send questions about RARE?
Questions can be directed to RAREquestions@NSF.GOV or to the designated RARE Program Officer(s) associated with the solicitation.
19) How does RARE support career re-entry in academia?
RARE provides structured re-entry points that help investigators rebuild momentum toward tenure-system success. Depending on the track, this can mean either supporting a return to competitive research with a fair assessment of hiatus-related gaps (Track 1) or supporting targeted retraining and retooling to regain competitiveness (Track 2).
20) How should an applicant choose between Track 1 and Track 2?
Based on the information provided:
- Choose Track 1 if you are ready to pursue competitive CBET research now and primarily need a re-entry mechanism that accounts for time away.
- Choose Track 2 if you need retraining in updated skills, tools, or techniques before you can return to strong, competitive CBET research.
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