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

Proposals accepted anytime

~$28,000,000 total program funding annually; typical award size and duration vary by program

Supports fundamental research and education in Ceramics, Electronic and Photonic Materials, and Solid State and Materials Chemistry.

Avoid submitting proposals between April 15 and June 15 for optimal review timing.

--- ## Description This opportunity funds fundamental research and education projects in three areas of materials science: Ceramics (CER), Electronic and Photonic Materials (EPM), and Solid State and Materials Chemistry (SSMC). The goal is to advance understanding of materials discovery, design, synthesis, characterization, and properties, as well as the underlying phenomena from nanoscale to macroscale. Projects may span individual investigators or small groups and are essential for the development of future technologies and the training of the next generation of materials researchers. This program does **not** cover Biomaterials, Condensed Matter Physics, Metals and Metallic Nanostructures, Polymers, or Condensed Matter and Materials Theory, which have separate solicitations. --- ## Due Dates - Proposals are accepted at any time; there is no fixed deadline. - Investigators are advised to avoid submitting proposals between April 15 and June 15 for optimal review timing. --- ## Funding Amount - Estimated total annual program funding: ~$28,000,000 (subject to availability of funds). - Approximately 110 awards are anticipated annually. - Typical award size and duration vary by program and project scope. For reference, consult the [NSF Award Search](https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/advancedSearch.jsp) for recent awards. --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible Applicants:** - U.S.-based institutions of higher education (two- and four-year, including community colleges) accredited in the U.S., acting on behalf of their faculty. - Non-profit, non-academic organizations directly associated with educational or research activities (e.g., independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies). - **International Branch Campuses:** Proposals involving international campuses of U.S. institutions must justify why project activities cannot be performed in the U.S. - **PI/Co-PI Restrictions:** - An investigator (PI or co-PI) may not submit a proposal to any DMR Topical Materials Research Program (CER, EPM, SSMC, or others) within 6 months before or after submitting to another DMR Topical Materials Research Program. - At least 12 months must elapse between submissions to the same program (CER, EPM, or SSMC). - No limits on participation as Faculty Associate on multiple proposals. --- ## Application Process - Proposals must be submitted via [FastLane](https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/), [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov/), or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/). - Follow the NSF [Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) and program solicitation requirements. - No letters of intent or preliminary proposals are required. - Proposals must address how the proposed work is distinct from current or pending projects. - Upload a list of at least four suggested reviewers with expertise relevant to the proposal. - If resubmitting a previously declined proposal, include a one-page statement describing revisions made in response to prior reviews. --- ## Additional Information - Proposals for EAGER, RAPID, RAISE, and conferences, as well as supplemental funding requests for existing grants, are **not** subject to the submission limitations of this solicitation and may be submitted at any time after consultation with and approval from a cognizant Program Officer. - Proposals submitted outside of the three covered programs (CER, EPM, SSMC) or not following submission rules will be returned without review. - Related programs (not covered by this solicitation) include Biomaterials, Condensed Matter Physics, Metals and Metallic Nanostructures, Polymers, and Condensed Matter and Materials Theory. --- ## External Links - [NSF Program Solicitation 20-588](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf20588) - [NSF DMR Topical Materials Research Programs Overview](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/programs.jsp?org=DMR) - [NSF Award Search](https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/advancedSearch.jsp) - [Apply via Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359458) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Area | Name/Email | Phone | |----------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------| | Ceramics (CER) | Lynnette D. Madsen ([lmadsen@nsf.gov](mailto:lmadsen@nsf.gov)) | (703) 292-4936 | | Electronic & Photonic Materials (EPM) | James H. Edgar ([jedgar@nsf.gov](mailto:jedgar@nsf.gov)) | (703) 292-2053 | | Electronic & Photonic Materials (EPM) | Robert L. Opila ([robopila@nsf.gov](mailto:robopila@nsf.gov)) | (703) 292-7812 | | Solid State & Materials Chemistry (SSMC) | Birgit Schwenzer ([bschwenz@nsf.gov](mailto:bschwenz@nsf.gov)) | (703) 292-4771 | | NSF Grants.gov Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | | | NSF Information Center | | (703) 292-5111 | ---

Division of Materials Research: Topical Materials Research Programs: Ceramics (CER), Electronic and Photonic Materials (EPM), Solid State and Materials Chemistry (SSMC)

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