Division of Materials Research Topical Materials Research Programs

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Description

This opportunity from the National Science Foundation's Division of Materials Research (DMR) funds innovative research projects that advance the fundamental understanding, discovery, design, synthesis, and characterization of materials. The program supports work at the intersection of physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering, with the goal of enabling new materials and phenomena that drive technological innovation and address societal needs.

Research areas include, but are not limited to, electronic, atomic, and molecular structures; mechanisms and processes governing material properties from the nanoscale to the macroscale; manipulation and control of material properties; and the creation of novel materials with unique characteristics. Projects may span a wide range of applications, from nanoelectronics to health-related fields.

Proposals are invited to the following Topical Materials Research Programs:

• Biomaterials (BMAT)
• Ceramics (CER)
• Condensed Matter Physics (CMP)
• Electronic and Photonic Materials (EPM)
• Metals and Metallic Nanostructures (MMN)
• Polymers (POL)
• Solid State and Materials Chemistry (SSMC)

Note: The Condensed Matter and Materials Theory (CMMT) program is not included in this solicitation and has a separate process.

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Due Dates

• Proposals accepted anytime.
• Investigators are strongly advised to avoid submitting proposals between April 15 and June 15 due to limited review capacity during this period.

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Funding Amount

• Total program budget: Approximately $66,000,000 (subject to availability of funds)
• Number of awards: ~250 anticipated
• Award size/duration: Varies by program and project scope; consult individual program descriptions or use the NSF Award Search for examples.

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Eligibility

• Eligible organizations:

  • U.S. institutions of higher education (two- and four-year, including community colleges) accredited in and having a campus in the U.S., acting on behalf of their faculty.
  • Non-profit, non-academic U.S. organizations (e.g., independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies) directly associated with educational or research activities.
  • Special rules apply for international branch campuses of U.S. institutions; justification is required.

• Eligible individuals:

  • See proposal submission limits below.

• Proposal submission limits:

  • Each investigator (as PI or co-PI) may submit only one proposal per fiscal year to any of the participating DMR Topical Materials Research Programs (TMRPs).
  • This limit includes proposals submitted as part of special mechanisms (e.g., GOALI, RUI/ROA, CDS&E, international collaborations).
  • Exceptions: CAREER proposals, proposals to non-TMRP DMR programs, and certain special mechanisms (EAGER, RAPID, RAISE, conferences, and supplements with prior approval).

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Application Process

• Submission method: Proposals may be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov.
• No letters of intent or preliminary proposals required.
• Proposal preparation: Follow the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and additional requirements in the solicitation.
• Data Management Plan: Required; should address FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). A DMR Data Management and Sharing Plan template is available.
• Suggested reviewers: At least four suggested reviewers (with affiliations and contact info) should be uploaded as a single-copy document.
• Resubmissions: If resubmitting a previously declined proposal, include a one-page statement describing how the proposal has been revised in response to prior reviews.

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Additional Information

• Cost sharing: Not allowed.
• Indirect costs: No specific limitations.
• Reporting: Annual and final project reports required via Research.gov.
• Build America, Buy America: All iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project must be produced in the U.S.
• Review criteria: Proposals are evaluated on Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, plus solicitation-specific criteria (notably, the Data Management Plan).

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External Links

• NSF Program Solicitation and Details (NSF 23-612)
• Download the full solicitation (PDF)
• NSF Award Search
• NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)
• DMR Data Management and Sharing Plan Template (PDF)
• Program Descriptions for Participating DMR Programs

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Contact Information

• General NSF Information Center: (703) 292-5111
• NSF Help Desk (Research.gov): 1-800-381-1532 | rgov@nsf.gov
• Grants.gov Contact Center: 1-800-518-4726 | support@grants.gov
• NSF Publications: nsfpubs@nsf.gov | (703) 292-8134

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