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

June 23, 2025 (Preliminary Proposal, required) | January 27, 2026 (Full Proposal, by invitation only)

~$3M/year (2 IRGs) to $4.5M/year (3 IRGs); up to 6 years; total program funding ~$15M; 2–5 awards expected

Supports campus-based, multidisciplinary centers advancing fundamental materials research and education through large-scale, synergistic projects.

--- ## Description This opportunity provides sustained support for Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs), which are campus-based centers designed to address fundamental problems in materials science and engineering that require the scale, synergy, and multidisciplinary expertise only possible in a center environment. MRSECs are expected to support high-quality research, education, and outreach, promote active collaboration between universities and other sectors (including industry and international organizations), and contribute to the national network of university-based materials research centers. Each MRSEC comprises two to three Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs), each focused on a major, fundamental materials science topic aligned with the NSF Division of Materials Research (DMR). --- ## Due Dates - **Preliminary Proposal (required):** June 23, 2025 (by 5 p.m. local time) - **Full Proposal (by invitation only):** January 27, 2026 (by 5 p.m. local time) Full proposals will be accepted only from applicants invited based on the preliminary proposal review. --- ## Funding Amount - **Estimated total program funding:** $15,000,000 - **Expected number of awards:** 2 to 5 - **Typical award size:** - ~$3,000,000 per year for a 2-IRG MRSEC - Up to $4,500,000 per year for a 3-IRG MRSEC - **Award duration:** Up to 6 years - **No cost sharing required** --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible Institutions:** - U.S. Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), including two- and four-year colleges (community colleges included), accredited and with a campus in the U.S., acting on behalf of their faculty. - International branch campuses of U.S. IHEs may be included, but must justify the need for activities to occur at the branch rather than the U.S. campus. - **Who May Serve as PI:** No restrictions. - **Proposal Limits:** - Only one MRSEC preliminary proposal may be submitted by any one organization as lead institution. - An individual may be PI or co-PI on only one preliminary proposal. - Institutions awarded a MRSEC as lead in FY 2023 are not eligible to apply as lead in this cycle. - **Full proposals:** By invitation only, based on preliminary proposal review. - **Collaborative Proposals:** Multiple organizations can participate, but only one can be the lead and manage the proposal. Separately submitted collaborative proposals are not allowed. --- ## Application Process 1. **Preliminary Proposal (required):** - Submit via Research.gov - Include project summary, description of IRGs (2–3 required), list of investigators, results from prior NSF support, education/outreach plans, and more. Budget and some supplementary documents are not required at this stage. - See [solicitation guidelines](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/mrsec-materials-research-science-engineering-centers/nsf26-500/solicitation) for required sections and format. 2. **Full Proposal (by invitation):** - Only applicants with meritorious preliminary proposals (with at least 2 IRGs) will be invited to submit a full proposal. - Submit via Research.gov or Grants.gov. - Full proposals have expanded requirements, including detailed project description (up to 41–51 pages), strategic plan, budget, participant tables, data management plan, and more. - See the [NSF PAPPG](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg) and solicitation for detailed instructions. 3. **Review Process:** - Preliminary proposals: Panel and ad hoc review by research area. - Full proposals: Ad hoc mail review, followed by finalist presentations (Reverse Site Visits) at NSF. - Proposals are evaluated on intellectual merit, broader impacts, and MRSEC-specific criteria. --- ## Additional Information - MRSECs must include robust research, education, outreach, and shared facility development. - Required to run a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program with at least 50% off-campus participation. - Measures of success include publications, patents, workforce development, start-ups, and broader impacts. - Awards are made as cooperative agreements. - The anticipated effective date for new MRSEC awards is September 1, 2026. --- ## External Links - [Program Solicitation (NSF 26-500)](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/mrsec-materials-research-science-engineering-centers/nsf26-500/solicitation) - [NSF MRSEC Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/mrsec-materials-research-science-engineering-centers) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) - [NSF Publication 26-500](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf26500) - [Apply via Grants.gov](https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/jsf/workspace/createWorkspace.faces?activityID=CreateWorkspace&cleanSession=1&oppId=361007) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | |---------|-------|-------| | MRSEC Program Officer | [MRSEC@nsf.gov](mailto:MRSEC@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-4429 | | NSF Grants.gov Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | 1-800-518-4726 | | NSF General Information | [info@nsf.gov](mailto:info@nsf.gov) | 1-703-292-5111 | For technical questions about Research.gov, contact the NSF IT Service Desk at [rgov@nsf.gov](mailto:rgov@nsf.gov) or 1-800-381-1532. ---

Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers

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