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Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Assignment Opportunities at the U.S. National Science Foundation, Directorate for Engineering (NSF ENG)
Posted on Aug 14, 2026
The position recruited under this announcement will be filled under the following appointment option(s):
Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Assignment: Individuals eligible for an IPA assignment with a Federal agency include employees of State and local government agencies or institutions of higher education, Indian tribal governments, and other eligible organizations in instances where such assignments would be of mutual benefit to the organizations involved. Initial assignments under IPA provisions may be made for a period up to two years, with a possible extension for up to an additional two-year period. The individual remains an employee of the home institution and NSF provides the negotiated funding toward the assignee's salary and benefits. Initial IPA assignments are made for a one-year period and may be extended by mutual agreement.
It is NSF policy that NSF personnel employed at or IPAs detailed to NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign government talent recruitment programs. Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment and referral to the Office of Inspector General.
This opportunity is open only to individuals eligible for appointment under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Mobility Program. Applicants must meet all IPA eligibility requirements at the time of application. In accordance with the U.S. National Science Foundation requirements, IPAs must be United States citizens.
NSF is particularly interested in candidates with demonstrated experience in the following ENG disciplines, strategic leadership, research administration, innovation and collaboration across academia, industry and government.
NSF ENG is seeking IPA candidates with expertise in the following program areas to begin during the fall 2026–spring 2027 timeframe:
Supports fundamental research on chemical and biochemical processes to make them more efficient, sustainable, and resilient, benefiting manufacturing, biotechnology, critical minerals, energy, food, and other national priorities. Supported research covers the full breadth of chemical and biochemical process innovation. It spans reaction engineering and molecular thermodynamics; reactor design; catalysis; electrochemical systems; separations; and process design. The program encourages research that connects the molecular scale to process and plant scales. Contact: cread@nsf.gov
Supports fundamental research to understand, model, and control the transport of mass, momentum, energy, and species across multiple scales. Leads to advances in artificial intelligence; manufacturing; biotechnology; microelectronics; energy generation, extraction, and utilization; nuclear energy; quantum science and engineering; and other national priorities. Contact: wolbrich@nsf.gov
Supports fundamental manufacturing research that addresses issues related to national prosperity and security and has the potential to contribute to the revitalization of American manufacturing. Contact: cmmi_applications@nsf.gov
Manufacturing Systems Integration
Supports research into the opportunities and challenges presented by digital technologies — such as connectivity, automation, and secure collaboration and their roles in global manufacturing—for the next industrial revolution. Contact: cmmi_applications@nsf.gov
Circuits and Systems for Communications and Sensing
Supports research in circuits and systems — including AI-enabled and quantum approaches — to develop next-generation communication and sensing technologies that are faster, more intelligent, more efficient and more secure. Contact: ECCS-applications@nsf.gov
Electronic, Photonic, Magnetic and Quantum Devices
Supports fundamental research to design and advance next-generation electronic, photonic, magnetic and quantum devices, driving innovations in computing, communications, healthcare, energy and other critical technologies. Contact: ECCS-applications@nsf.gov
Energy, Power, Control and Learning
Supports research on control and learning theories and methods, as well as the design and analysis of complex engineered systems, to enhance the operation, performance and reliability of systems for power, energy and other national needs. Contact: ECCS-applications@nsf.gov
Engineering Education Research
Develops a diverse, innovative technical workforce to drive future national security and economic competitiveness by supporting fundamental research into how students learn and the processes by which individuals become engineers. Contact: jladejio@nsf.gov
Engineering Workforce Development
Bridges the gap between academic innovation and the needs of the national economy by supporting students and teachers in hands-on research experiences, pilot initiatives, and mentoring to prepare a highly skilled technological workforce. Contact: jladejio@nsf.gov
NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (TRAILBLAZER)
Supports individual investigators in pursuing bold, innovative engineering projects that address national needs or grand challenges, advance U.S. leadership and catalyze the convergence of engineering and science domains. Contact: srastega@nsf.gov
Interested applicants should submit the following materials:
- Current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Brief statement of interest highlighting relevant experience or areas of expertise.
- Current contact information.
Application materials should be submitted electronically to the relevant program area contact given above.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled. Be advised that IPA participants will be eligible for either one year of per diem allowance, in accordance with U.S. General Services Administration rates, or a round-trip household goods move to the Washington Metropolitan Area to support the rotational assignment.
NSF encourages you to share this opportunity broadly with qualified colleagues and professional networks. Questions regarding the IPA program may also be directed to Lindsey Moraz, Excepted Service Unit Chief, Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer, at lmoraz@nsf.gov.
Thank you for your interest in supporting the mission of the U.S. National Science Foundation.