Engineering Research Centers

The goal of the Generation Three (Gen-3) Engineering Research Centers (ERC) Program is to create a culture in engineering research and education that links discovery to technological innovation through transformational fundamental and engineered systems research in order to advance technology and produce engineering graduates who will be creative U.S. innovators in a globally competitive economy. These ERCs will be at the forefront as the U.S. competes in the 21st century global economy where R&D resources and engineering talent are internationally distributed. Recognizing that optimizing efficiency and product quality are no longer sufficient for U.S. industry to remain competitive, these ERCs will optimize academic engineering research and education to stimulate increased U.S. innovation in a global context. They will develop this culture of discovery and innovation through a symbiotic relationship between academic researchers, small innovative firms, larger industrial and practitioner partners, and organizations devoted to entrepreneurship and innovation. In essence this solicitation requires that the efforts be devoted to creating, developing, and enhancing capacities in ERCs from transformational fundamental research to technology commercialization and creating a continuous pipeline in engineering education from middle school to graduate studies.In order to achieve this, Gen-3 ERCs will: 1. Advance discovery and build bridges from science-based discovery to technological innovation to realize transforming engineered systems.2. Partner with foreign universities and provide unique opportunities for research and learning collaboration that will prepare U.S. engineering graduates for leadership in innovation in a global economy. 3. Form teams of faculty and students who are diverse and talented individuals who will prepare diverse and talented domestic and international graduates who can function in a global world where research, design and production efforts cross national borders.4. Function with transforming engineering education programs that rest on partnerships with pre-college institutions to attract students to engineering and strategically impart in engineering graduates the capacity to create and exploit knowledge for technological innovation.5. Function with partnerships with industry and other users, organizations devoted to stimulating entrepreneurship and innovation at the local level, and small firms engaged in the ERC's research program to speed translation of research results to innovation.