Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Engineering Innovation Through Strategic Grant Funding
Founded in 1904 with the support of Andrew Carnegie, the United Engineering Foundation (UEF) has served as a pivotal force in advancing engineering arts and sciences for the betterment of humanity. As the successor to the United Engineering Society, we have fostered collaboration among leading engineering societies, including ASCE, ASME, IEEE, AIChE, and AIME, while stewarding critical resources like the Linda Hall Library. Our mission centers on supporting engineering education and innovation through strategic grants, with a focus on interdisciplinary projects that address global challenges. Over the decades, we have awarded millions in funding, emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion to sustain a thriving engineering profession.Our grants have empowered initiatives ranging from ethics education programs to documentary films that reimagine engineering's role in solving humanitarian crises. We prioritize projects that transcend routine organizational activities, encouraging cross-disciplinary partnerships that align with our vision of advancing engineering for societal welfare. Our governance by a Board of Trustees appointed by founder societies ensures alignment with the engineering community's evolving needs while maintaining fiscal responsibility, as evidenced by our 2024 portfolio gains and record grant disbursements exceeding $700,000.
Services
Engineering grants
Diversity initiatives
Ethics education programs
Historical preservation
Documentary production support
Professional development funding
Sustainability projects
K-12 engineering outreach
Library stewardship
Global collaboration grants
Details
- Year established: 1904
Highlights and features
- We have over 120 years of experience advancing engineering innovation
- Our grants prioritize interdisciplinary collaborations across major engineering societies
- We focus on transformative projects beyond standard organizational activities
- Our stewardship includes preserving engineering history through the Linda Hall Library
- We emphasize diversity, equity, and inclusion in all funded initiatives
Services
Engineering grants
UEF provides annual grants averaging $800,000 to support innovative engineering projects. Our funding prioritizes interdisciplinary collaborations that advance the profession while addressing societal needs. Recipients include initiatives focused on ethics education, diversity programs, and global humanitarian challenges.
Historical preservation
We preserve engineering heritage through our partnership with the Linda Hall Library, maintaining extensive collections of engineering literature and historical documents. This includes technical journals, rare manuscripts, and specialized resources accessible to researchers worldwide.
Ethics education programs
Our ethics initiatives produce educational video series and panel discussions featuring multidisciplinary engineering experts. These programs address contemporary ethical challenges in engineering practice while promoting responsible innovation across various disciplines.
Documentary production support
We fund documentary films that highlight engineering's role in solving global challenges. Recent projects include 'Lives, Not Grades,' which explores engineering's humanitarian impact through refugee crisis solutions and educational innovation.
Diversity initiatives
Our grants support diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across the engineering profession. This includes video series examining DEI's role in expanding K-12 pipelines, sustainable design, and universal accessibility in engineering practice.
People
Patrick J. Natale
Executive Director
Licensed professional engineer with multiple engineering society affiliations, overseeing UEF's operations and strategic direction while fostering collaboration among founder societies.
Lisa M. Black
Director, Cultural Belonging & Social Ethos
ASCE representative focusing on diversity initiatives, leading efforts to integrate DEI principles into engineering education and professional practice through UEF-funded programs.
Daniel Druhora
Director, New Initiatives
USC Viterbi School lecturer who developed the Emmy-winning 'Lives, Not Grades' documentary with UEF support, highlighting engineering's humanitarian applications.
Questions
What are the key dates for the UEF grant cycle?
Concept papers are due May 1st, full proposals August 1st, with funding decisions made by September/October for the following calendar year.
What types of proposals receive priority funding?
Interdisciplinary projects that advance engineering as a whole and initiatives outside applicants' regular activities receive preference.
Does UEF fund individual research projects?
Technical research proposals and individual applications are rarely accepted; organizational grants are prioritized.
Can international organizations apply for grants?
Only U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations qualify for funding; international activities must be conducted through U.S. entities.
Are multi-year grants available?
While multi-year proposals are accepted, funding decisions are made annually without guaranteed future support.
How does UEF support engineering education?
We fund initiatives like ethics video series, documentary films, and diversity programs to inspire future engineers and promote inclusive practices.
