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

Proposals accepted anytime

~$15,000,000 total annually; typical awards $85,000–$160,000/year for 2–4 years

Supports fundamental theoretical and computational research to advance understanding of materials and condensed matter systems.

Proposals may be submitted any time; avoid March 15–May 15 for optimal processing.

--- ## Description This program supports fundamental research in theoretical and computational condensed matter and materials science. It aims to advance conceptual understanding of both hard and soft materials, materials-related phenomena, and the development of analytical, computational, and data-centric techniques for materials research. The program encourages innovative approaches, including data-analytics and machine learning, and supports research that spans multiple length and time scales, from electronic to mesoscale. Research areas of interest include, but are not limited to: - Strongly correlated electron systems - Active matter - Topological phases - Low-dimensional materials and systems - Quantum and classical non-equilibrium phenomena (e.g., pattern formation, materials growth, microstructure evolution, fracture, jamming transition) - Gels, glasses, and disordered materials - High-temperature superconductivity - Nanostructured and mesoscale phenomena - Coherent quantum states - Polymeric and biologically inspired materials, and research at the interface with biology Proposals involving significant development of materials research cyberinfrastructure (e.g., community software) should be submitted through the Computational and Data-Enabled Science and Engineering (CDS&E) solicitation during its fall window. --- ## Due Dates - Proposals accepted anytime (no fixed deadline) - For optimal processing, avoid submitting between March 15 and May 15 - Proposals in specific topical areas are encouraged (not required) to cluster around the following dates: - Interface with Chemical Theory: September 15 - CDS&E/data-centric: October 15 - Soft matter/polymers: November 15 - First-principles theory: December 15 - Strongly correlated materials: January 15 --- ## Funding Amount - Estimated total program funding: ~$15,000,000 annually (pending availability) - Typical award size: $85,000–$160,000 per year - Duration: 2–4 years - About 40 awards anticipated annually --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible Organizations:** - U.S. institutions of higher education (2- and 4-year, including community colleges), accredited in and with a campus in the U.S., acting on behalf of their faculty - Non-profit, non-academic organizations (e.g., independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies) in the U.S. associated with educational or research activities - **Principal Investigator (PI) Restrictions:** - No more than one proposal per PI/co-PI to this or any other DMR Topical Materials Research program (or the Chemical Theory, Models and Computational Methods program in the Division of Chemistry) within a 6-month window - At least 12 months must pass between CMMT submissions from the same investigator - For international branch campuses of U.S. institutions, proposals must justify why project activities cannot be performed at the U.S. campus --- ## Application Process - Proposals may be submitted via [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/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg) - No letters of intent or preliminary proposals required - Data Management Plan and Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan (if applicable) are required - Suggested reviewer list (minimum four, at arm’s length) should be uploaded as a single-copy document - For resubmissions, include a statement describing substantial revisions in response to prior reviews --- ## Additional Information - Proposals for EAGER, RAPID, RAISE, and conferences, as well as supplements to existing grants, may be submitted any time after consultation with a Program Officer - Proposals that do not follow submission constraints or are insufficiently revised (for resubmissions) will be returned without review - Proposals under special categories (e.g., GOALI, RUI/ROA, certain international collaborations) are welcome; see the solicitation for details --- ## External Links - [NSF Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/cmmt-condensed-matter-materials-theory) - [Full Solicitation and Program Details (NSF 20-582)](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf20582) - [Grants.gov Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359456) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | |--------------------|--------------------------|----------------| | Daryl W. Hess | dhess@nsf.gov | (703) 292-4942 | | Serdar Ogut | sogut@nsf.gov | (703) 292-4429 | | Sylvio May | smay@nsf.gov | (703) 292-8810 | | NSF Information | info@nsf.gov | (703) 292-5111 | | Grants.gov Support | grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov | 1-800-518-4726 | | Research.gov Help | rgov@nsf.gov | 1-800-673-6188 | ---

Condensed Matter and Materials Theory

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