The funding sources available to US chemical engineers are diverse and inclusive in their nature. Many sources fund similar work, rather than trying to create exclusive boundaries between funding bodies. The inclusivity principle applies to the NSF, both between and within directorates and divisions. In the UK an exclusivity principle seems to operate with for example funds from two different research councils being funnelled through a single panel or committee.
Only about 30% of US chemical engineering research is funded by the NSF, with around 40% funded by other, mission-oriented, government agencies. Industry (20%) and charities (10%) fund the rest. In the UK, 60% of funds come from the Research Councils, with only 10% from other government agencies. EU sources (20%) and industry (10%) fund the rest.
Deliverables on grants are always simply publications. Delivery of pre-determined objectives is regarded as more appropriate to contracts.
About 90% of funds go to responsive mode grant applications, although some of these may be restricted to interdisciplinary proposals and special areas. Only 10% of the funds go to large centres - funded at about $2M per year over 5 (renewable to 10) years. There are 24 Engineering Research Centres and 24 Materials Research Centres, some of both centred in chemical engineering departments. These centres fund blue-sky research (administered locally).
The NSF has a high proportion of its programme managers who are on sabbatical from academia, this gives a strong flow of ideas and vitality through the organisation.
The pressure on staff to support students from grants is high, since over five years, a Ph.D. student will need funding from at least two consecutive grants.
Industry funds proportionately twice as much research in the US as in the UK . It funds a lot of work through consortia, where they pay a membership fee ($5-45K p.a.) and get reports of the work. Industry does not direct the programme of research, though they do offer advice, which is welcomed.
Industrial collaboration is encouraged in government funded programmes, but there is no matching funding required – only participation. An exception is the NIST Advanced Technology Program, which endeavours to fund only high-risk research, which has the potential of a significant national benefit within five years. This demands 50-60% co-funding, and is industry led.
Small grants for exploratory work are available of two years duration to investigate the feasibility of a potentially high risk project.