Division of Chemistry: Disciplinary Research Programs
NSF Division of Chemistry disciplinary research grants fund chemistry research projects at eligible U.S. IHEs and certain U.S. nonprofit research organizations, with special paths for CAREER, RUI/ROA, EAGER, RAPID, RAISE, conferences, and supplements.
⚑ Proposals to these CHE programs submitted outside the solicitation will be returned without review. · CAREER proposals must use the CAREER solicitation. · RUI/ROA proposals must use the RUI/ROA solicitation during the appropriate CHE program window. · EAGER, RAPID, RAISE, and conference proposals require prior consultation with the cognizant NSF Program Officer before submission.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds basic research |
| IPPRA | 45 partial | peripheral portfolio topic: environment; social/behavioral work is none; funds basic research; capped at 45 (limited social-science role) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 30 weak | prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
This solicitation applies to six (of the nine) CHE Disciplinary Research Programs: Chemical Catalysis (CAT); Chemical Measurement and Imaging (CMI); Chemical Mechanism, Function and Properties (CMFP); Chemical Synthesis (SYN); Environmental Chemical Sciences (ECS); and Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry (MSN).
All proposals submitted to these six CHE Disciplinary Research Programs (other than the following exceptions) must be submitted through this solicitation, otherwise they will be returned without review.
Exceptions:
Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) proposals should be submitted through the CAREER solicitation ( https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503214 ) by the CAREER deadline date specified.
Facilitating Research at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions: Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) and Research Opportunity Awards (ROA) proposals should be submitted through the RUI/ROA solicitation ( https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5518 ) during the window for the appropriateCHE Disciplinary Research Program. In addition to the requirements of the RUI program, proposals should follow the guidance in this solicitation.
Proposals for Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER), Grants for Rapid Response Research (RAPID), Research Advanced by Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (RAISE), and conferences can be submitted anytime after consultation with the cognizant NSF Program Officer.
Supplemental funding requeststo existing grantscan be submitted anytime after consultation with the cognizant NSF Program Officer.
Eligibility
*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.
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: U.S. National Science Foundation <grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · National Science Foundation conventions SEE AN NSF EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — National Science Foundation's document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.