Division of Materials Research: Topical Materials Research Programs
U.S. National Science Foundation · Opportunity 23-612
Proposals accepted anytime
Who can apply
- Others
*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 subawards 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. *Who May Serve as PI: See "Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or Co-PI" below.
About this opportunity
Materials Research is the field of science where physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering naturally converge in the pursuit of the fundamental understanding of the properties of materials and the phenomena they host. Materials are abundant and pervasive, serving as critical building blocks in technology and innovation. Materials Research impacts life and society, as it shapes our understanding of the material world and enables significant advances spanning the range from nanoelectronics to health-related fields. The development and deployment of advanced materials are major drivers of U.S. economic growth. Research supported by the Division of Materials Research (DMR) focuses on advancing the fundamental understanding of materials, materials discovery, design, synthesis, characterization, properties, and materials-related phenomena. DMR awards enable understanding of the electronic, atomic, and molecular structures, mechanisms, and processes that govern nanoscale to macroscale morphology and properties; manipulation and control of these properties; discovery of emerging phenomena of matter and materials; and creation of novel design, synthesis, and processing strategies that lead to new materials with unique characteristics. These discoveries and advancements transcend traditional scientific and engineering disciplines. Projects supported by DMR are not only essential for the development of future technologies and industries that address societal needs, but also for the preparation of the next generation of materials researchers. Additional Information Eligibility rules apply for submissions; please see Section II. Program Description, Section IV. Eligibility Information, and Section V.A Proposal Preparation Instructions
Portfolio context — this listing covers more than this opportunity
This opportunity is funded under Assistance Listing 47.049 (“Mathematical and Physical Sciences”), a broad federal program that made about 2554 new awards per year over the last five fiscal years (median award $329k). Those figures describe that whole portfolio — not this specific solicitation, so we don't show them as if they were this opportunity's track record.
Applicant counts per solicitation are not published by any federal agency — no one can honestly sell you that number. NSF publishes funding rates by directorate in its Merit Review Digest — source.
Don't want to hunt for grants like this one? Get free deadline alerts for your state and focus areas.
Consultant or grant writer? See the client-ready Opportunity Brief for this grant — actual award sizes vs. the advertised ceiling, who wins, printable "prepared for your client" version.
Similar grants still open
| Opportunity | Agency | Deadline | Award ceiling | Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Science of Science Approach to Analyzing and Innovating the Biomedical Research Enterprise | U.S. National Science Foundation | September 9, 2026 0d left | $250k | Nonprofits |
| Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Grant Program – Solutions for AI-Native RAN | National Telecommunications and Information Admini | September 9, 2026 0d left | — | |
| Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE): Future Computing Research | U.S. National Science Foundation | September 10, 2026 1d left | $12M | |
| DoW Vision, Mentored Clinical Research Award | Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA | September 10, 2026 1d left | — | Nonprofits |