Open for applications

Division of Materials Research: Topical Materials Research Programs (MPS Materials)

U.S. National Science Foundation · Opportunity number 23-612

No deadline listed. Check the official notice.

Details summarized from the official notice as of Sep 25, 2026. Always confirm eligibility, deadlines and requirements in the official notice before applying.

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Key facts

Opportunity number	23-612
Agency	U.S. National Science Foundation
Assistance listing (ALN, formerly CFDA)	47.049
Posted	Aug 1, 2023
Deadline	Not listed
Estimated total program funding	$66,000,000
Cost sharing or matching required	No
Funding type	Grant
Category	Science technology and other research and development
Last updated here	Sep 25, 2026

Summary from the notice

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

Who can apply

The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible:

Others named in the notice (see the eligibility text)

Not listed as eligible

Small businesses
Nonprofits
Colleges and universities
State governments
Local governments
Tribal governments and organizations
Larger for-profit companies
Individuals

Unless the eligibility text in the notice names you, this opportunity is probably not for you.

Eligibility details from the notice

*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.

Registrations you will likely need

Most applications submitted through Grants.gov need the following. Registration can take several weeks, so start early. The notice lists the exact requirements.

SAM.gov registration for your organization, which also gives you a Unique Entity ID (UEI). Registration is free.
A Login.gov account, which Grants.gov uses for sign-in.
A Grants.gov applicant registration linked to your organization's UEI.

Past awards for this program

Totals for assistance listing 47.049 from public USASpending.gov data, as of Sep 23, 2026. Past awards do not predict future funding.

Year	Listing	Awards	Total	Average
2026	47.049	16	$1,790,278,386	$111,892,399
2025	47.049	21	$1,947,852,199	$92,754,867
2024	47.049	22	$1,981,475,770	$90,067,080

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Before you apply

Read the full official notice, including the evaluation criteria.
Confirm your organization type and location are eligible.
Check your SAM.gov registration is active.
Note the exact deadline time and time zone in the notice.

Division of Materials Research: Topical Materials Research Programs (MPS Materials)

Key facts

Summary from the notice

Who can apply

Not listed as eligible

Eligibility details from the notice

Registrations you will likely need

Past awards for this program

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