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NSF Catalysis and Biocatalysis (PD 15-1401) - Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the NSF Catalysis and Biocatalysis program (PD 15-1401)?

It is an NSF program that supports fundamental research in catalytic engineering science aimed at creating new catalytic materials and reactions with clear societal benefits. The core expectation is new basic understanding of how catalysts work and how catalytic reactions proceed.

2) What kind of research is this program trying to fund?

The program funds engineering-science research that explains catalytic mechanisms and performance in ways that generalize beyond a single case. Proposals are expected to build fundamental understanding using a mix of synthetic, experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches, often focusing on structure-property relationships, kinetics, reaction pathways, intermediates, active sites, and rate-controlling steps.

3) Is this a purely applied technology or product-development program?

No. The program is motivated by important real-world needs, but it is not framed as a purely applied technology program. It expects strong engineering-science contributions that advance fundamental understanding rather than only demonstrating a specific application.

4) What scientific areas are at the center of this program?

The program centers on heterogeneous catalysis and biocatalysis. For heterogeneous catalysis, both gas-solid and liquid-solid systems are within scope. For biocatalysis, the focus is on enzymatic catalysis with engineering of the catalytic (active) site.

5) What does NSF mean by heterogeneous catalysis in this solicitation?

Heterogeneous catalysis includes gas-solid and liquid-solid catalytic systems. The program is also open to research that borrows ideas from homogeneous catalysis when those ideas help illuminate or improve heterogeneous catalytic performance.

6) What does NSF mean by biocatalysis here?

Biocatalysis in this program specifically refers to enzymatic catalysis where the research involves engineering the active site that drives substrate conversion. Proposals are expected to go beyond describing biological function and instead examine how changes at the catalytic site affect activity, selectivity, stability, or other performance attributes.

7) What are the priority topic areas called out by the program?

The solicitation highlights several priority areas, including catalysis for renewable energy (such as biomass refining, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and energy-relevant biocatalysis), catalysis that helps close the carbon cycle (including conversion of CO2, methane, or natural gas to fuels or chemical intermediates), catalytic alternatives to non-catalytic processes, improved catalyst designs for established catalytic processes, environmental catalysis for greener and more energy-efficient routes, and catalytic remediation of feedstocks, process streams, products, or effluents.

8) What does "catalysis for renewable energy" include in this program?

Examples explicitly mentioned include biomass refining, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and biocatalysis tied to energy-relevant transformations.

9) What does it mean to "close the carbon cycle" in the context of this program?

It refers to catalytic pathways that convert carbon-containing feedstocks or greenhouse gases into useful fuels or chemical intermediates, with emphasis on conversions involving carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, or natural gas.

10) Does the program support environmental catalysis work?

Yes. Environmental catalysis is emphasized, including catalysis that enables greener, more energy-efficient routes to fuels and chemicals and catalytic remediation of feedstocks, process streams, products, or effluents.

11) Is catalyst synthesis and manufacturing scale-up part of the program scope?

Yes. The program encourages research that advances commercially scalable methods of catalyst synthesis and the creation of new catalytic materials and architectures.

12) Is there an emphasis on reducing the use of precious or noble metals?

Yes. The program shows special interest in replacing precious or noble metals with earth-abundant alternatives without sacrificing performance.

13) Does the program care about catalyst durability and deactivation?

Yes. It calls out durability challenges, including formulations that resist poisoning and can be regenerated easily.

14) Are new tools and methods for studying catalysis considered important?

Yes. The program values advances in characterization techniques and improved theoretical or computational methods that reveal active sites, intermediates, surface mechanisms, and rate-controlling steps.

15) Are interdisciplinary projects encouraged?

Yes. Because catalysis spans chemistry, materials science, biology, and engineering, interdisciplinary projects may be jointly funded with other NSF divisions or programs within CBET.

16) What if my project goes beyond catalysis and is really about sustainable chemistry or sustainable engineering?

The guidance says investigators are encouraged to submit to this program but label the proposal title with "SusChEM: Title of Your Proposal" to flag it as aligned with sustainable chemistry or sustainable engineering.

17) When might NSF suggest a different CBET program instead of Catalysis and Biocatalysis?

The solicitation provides examples: if the work is broadly about cellular or biomolecular processes, NSF suggests Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering (CBET 1491). If the core contribution is reaction engineering of catalytic processes, Process Systems, Reaction Engineering, and Molecular Thermodynamics (CBET 1403) may fit better. If the proposal is mainly about renewable or sustainable energy systems where catalysis is only one component, Energy for Sustainability (CBET 7644) may be more appropriate.

18) Can NSF move my proposal to a different program after I submit?

Yes. The solicitation notes that program directors may transfer submissions to improve the review match.

19) Should I contact the program director before submitting?

Yes, especially if the idea falls outside the listed interest areas. The solicitation recommends contacting the program director to reduce the risk of return without review. It also notes that certain mechanisms (conference/workshop proposals, supplements, RAPID, and EAGER) should be discussed with the program director before submission.

20) How long are typical awards?

Unsolicited awards are typically one to three years.

21) What is the typical funding level for this program?

Typical funding is about $100,000 per year. The solicitation allows up to about $150,000 per year for collaborative or multi-investigator projects.

22) What happens if I request a budget that is much higher than the typical range?

The solicitation states that requests substantially higher than the stated norms, without prior discussion with the program director, may be returned without review.

23) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity information indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

24) What is the estimated total program funding listed in the record?

The archived opportunity record lists an estimated total funding amount of $4.8 million.

25) What are NSF's expectations for novelty and impact in proposals?

NSF stresses that proposals should clearly articulate what is novel and/or potentially transformative compared to prior work, why the research matters for engineering science, and what the potential societal or industrial impact could be if the research succeeds. At minimum, the novelty or transformative aspect must be stated in the Project Summary.

26) Does the program encourage CAREER proposals?

Yes. The program encourages CAREER proposals for early-career faculty. The solicitation also notes that engineering CAREER deadlines are generally in July and that CAREER awards are typically five-year awards.

27) Are RAPID and EAGER proposals allowed?

The solicitation indicates that RAPID and EAGER mechanisms are considered when appropriate, but they require prior discussion with the program director.

28) Are conference, workshop, or supplement requests supported?

The solicitation notes that proposals for conferences, workshops, and supplements should be discussed with the program director before submission.

29) Are GOALI proposals encouraged?

Yes. GOALI proposals that connect fundamental research to translational outcomes in partnership with industry are encouraged, provided they are submitted during the annual unsolicited proposal window.

30) What are the compliance and submission requirements?

Proposals must follow the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Submissions that do not comply with PAPPG requirements, or that are submitted outside the announced proposal window, are subject to return without review.

31) Who is eligible to apply?

The opportunity record indicates eligibility is broadly unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to any specific clarifications in the full solicitation text.

32) What agency and funding instrument apply to this opportunity?

The agency is the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the funding instrument is a grant.

33) What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 47.041 (Engineering Grants).

34) What were the posted and closing dates in the provided record?

The record lists a posted date of July 24, 2015, and an original and current closing date of October 20, 2015.

35) Is this notice current or archived?

The record indicates an archive date of November 19, 2016, meaning this specific notice is archived. It is still a useful snapshot of the program scope and expectations as described in the provided text.