[U.S. National Science Foundation](https://www.nsf.gov/)

Proposals accepted anytime | July 15, 2025 (CAREER)

$4,800,000 total program funding; typical awards up to 3 years for unsolicited proposals, 5 years for CAREER

Supports fundamental research on catalytic materials and reactions, with an emphasis on heterogeneous catalysis and societal benefit.

--- ## Description The Catalysis program, part of NSF's Chemical Process Systems cluster, funds research to advance the understanding and development of catalytic materials and reactions. The program welcomes projects that explore new concepts in catalytic science using synthetic, theoretical, or experimental approaches. Key application areas include fuels, specialty and bulk chemicals, environmental catalysis, biomass conversion, greenhouse gas conversion, solar hydrogen generation, and efficient energy utilization. The program's main focus is on heterogeneous catalysis (gas-solid and liquid-solid), but proposals incorporating homogeneous catalysis concepts are also encouraged. Priority topics include: - Renewable energy catalysis (electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, biomass conversion) - Catalysis for closing the carbon cycle (CO₂, methane, natural gas conversion) - Novel catalyst design for established and new processes - Environmental catalysis and green chemistry - Catalytic remediation and scalable catalyst synthesis - Substitution of earth-abundant materials for precious metals - Mechanistic studies, catalyst durability, and advanced characterization tools Proposals should address data reproducibility, catalyst stability, benchmarking against standards, and quantitative measures of activity and efficiency, especially for new materials and photocatalysts. Note: Proposals focusing on biocatalysis, enzyme engineering, or biomolecular processes should be submitted to the Cellular and Biochemical Engineering program. Projects with a reaction engineering emphasis should go to the Process Systems, Reaction Engineering, and Molecular Thermodynamics program. --- ## Due Dates - Proposals are accepted at any time (no fixed deadline). - Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) proposals: July 15, 2025. --- ## Funding Amount - Estimated total program funding: $4,800,000. - Typical unsolicited awards: up to 3 years, supporting one graduate student and up to one month of PI time per year. - CAREER awards: 5 years. - Larger or multi-investigator budgets should be discussed with the program director prior to submission. --- ## Eligibility - Eligibility is unrestricted: open to all types of applicants (universities, non-profits, industry, etc.), subject to NSF policies. - Proposals must comply with the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1). --- ## Application Process - Proposals must be submitted via [NSF FastLane](https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/), [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov/), or Grants.gov. - Follow all requirements in the current [NSF PAPPG](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1). - Discuss RAPID, EAGER, GOALI, conference, or workshop proposals with a program director before submission. - Proposals outside core areas may be considered; contact the program director to ensure fit and avoid return without review. --- ## Additional Information - Awards are typically for up to three years (unsolicited) or five years (CAREER). - Interdisciplinary projects may be co-funded by other NSF programs. - Proposals must clearly state novelty, transformative potential, and broader societal/industrial impacts. - Proposals not compliant with the PAPPG will be returned without review. --- ## External Links - [Catalysis Program Information](http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505723) - [Official Grants.gov Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359379) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) - [Browse Recent Awards](https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/advancedSearchResult?ProgEleCode=140100&BooleanElement=Any&BooleanRef=Any&ActiveAwards=true#results) - [NSF CAREER Program](https://www.nsf.gov/career) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | Organization | |--------------------|-------------------------------------|----------------|-------------------| | Robert McCabe | [RMCCABE@nsf.gov](mailto:RMCCABE@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-4826 | NSF/ENG/CBET | | Catherine Walker | [cawalker@nsf.gov](mailto:cawalker@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-7125 | NSF/ENG/CBET | | NSF Grants.gov Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | | NSF |

Catalysis

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