# Research Initiation: How AI Integration Shapes Undergraduate Students' Civil Engineering Professional Formation from Classroom to Career

> **NSF 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Regents of the University of Idaho (ID) · $200,000

## Abstract

Research Initiation: How AI Integration Shapes Undergraduate Students' Civil Engineering Professional Formation from Classroom to Career
This project will examine how undergraduate civil engineering students develop as future professional engineers in an era when artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing what it means for people to do engineering work. Civil engineers, like other types of engineers, need to understand and use AI-related tools and knowledge in areas including data analysis, modeling, optimization, design, construction monitoring, and infrastructure decision-making. Most undergraduate civil engineering programs are still considering how to best integrate AI into coursework to support students' technical learning and their identity shift from being a student to being a working engineering professional. This project will study how AI-integrated civil engineering coursework influences students’ professional identity, career adaptability, and perceived employability. The findings should help engineering instructors and academic programs better understand how to incorporate emerging AI technologies into courses to better prepare their graduates for AI-driven workplaces, a current national need. The project will further serve the national interest by supporting the preparation of civil engineers specifically who are technically capable, adaptable, and ready to contribute to the nation’s infrastructure development, economic competitiveness, and public welfar

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2605448
- **Awardee organization:** Regents of the University of Idaho (ID)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** QWYKRJH5NNJ3
- **PI:** Ruimin Feng
- **Primary program:** 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** AI-Supported Learning, AI Education/Workforce Develop, EDUCATION RESEARCH, ENGINEERING EDUCATION, EXP PROG TO STIM COMP RES
- **Estimated total:** $200,000
- **Funds obligated:** $200,000
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 07/01/2026 → 06/30/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2605448

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2605448, Research Initiation: How AI Integration Shapes Undergraduate Students' Civil Engineering Professional Formation from Classroom to Career. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2605448. Licensed CC0.

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