MPS Physics Research Programs (MPS Physics)
This NSF grant funds innovative, foundational research across multiple physics disciplines, including quantum, particle, nuclear, plasma, and living systems, without requiring immediate commercial applications.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: August 17, 2076 (Proposals Accepted Anytime)
Funding Amounts: $180,000,000 total program funding; typical awards range in size and duration depending on project scope
Summary: Supports foundational research across experimental, theoretical, and computational physics through multiple core and cross-cutting programs.
Description
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) invites proposals for a broad portfolio of physics research programs. This opportunity supports research at the frontiers of discovery in physics, enabling deeper understanding of fundamental aspects of nature—from quantum phenomena to cosmological scales. The solicitation covers a wide array of core and cross-cutting programs in experimental, theoretical, and computational physics, including areas such as atomic, molecular, and optical physics, particle physics, gravitational physics, nuclear physics, plasma physics, quantum information science, and more.
NSF MPS is especially interested in intellectually ambitious and potentially transformative foundational research. Proposals do not need to promise a near-term product or commercial outcome to be competitive. Projects may be single-investigator, group-based, multi-institutional, or center-scale, and can include multidisciplinary collaborations, equipment and instrumentation development, and innovative approaches leveraging new technologies.
Researchers at all career stages are encouraged to apply, and proposals that forge novel connections across scientific domains or leverage emerging technologies (such as AI or advanced computation) are welcomed.
