MPS Materials Research Programs (MPS Materials)

The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (NSF MPS) supports multiple materials research programs that advance fundamental understanding of materials, their properties, and their potential applications.

The programs covered by this solicitation are:

• Biomaterials
• Ceramics
• Condensed Matter and Materials Theory
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Electronic and Photonic Materials
• Metals and Metallic Nanostructures
• Polymers
• Solid State and Materials Chemistry

Other materials research funding opportunities are covered by separate NSF solicitations, such as the NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers and Designing Materials to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future.

NSF MPS is particularly interested in intellectually ambitious and potentially transformative foundational research. Proposals need not promise a near-term product, deployment, or commercial outcome, nor need they address later-stage development to be competitive.

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
-Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities.
-Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.
-Tribal Nations: An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131.

*Who May Serve as PI:
See "Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or Co-PI" below.