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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF Catalysis and Biocatalysis Program (PD 09-1401; CFDA 47.041)

What is this NSF funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the National Science Foundation (NSF) Catalysis and Biocatalysis program (Funding Opportunity Number PD 09-1401, CFDA 47.041). It is a discretionary grant opportunity within NSF's Engineering Grants portfolio that supports research in catalysis with clear relevance to chemical and biochemical reaction engineering.

What kinds of research does the program support?

The program supports both fundamental and applied research aimed at improving understanding and control of catalyzed reactions used to produce chemicals, fuels, and specialized materials. Emphases include kinetics, reaction mechanisms, catalyst structure-function relationships, and translating mechanistic understanding into improved process design and reactor control.

Which catalysis areas are included (heterogeneous, homogeneous, biocatalysis)?

The scope includes heterogeneous catalysis (reactions on solid catalysts), homogeneous catalysis (molecular catalysts in solution), and biocatalysis (enzyme- or microbe-driven transformations). It also explicitly highlights electrocatalysis when it has engineering or commercial relevance.

Is electrocatalysis within the scope of the program?

Yes. Electrocatalysis is specifically called out, particularly when it has engineering or commercial relevance. Examples of relevant areas include fuel cells, electrolysis, and electrochemical synthesis.

What role do surfaces and interfaces play in the program scope?

A major emphasis is on understanding what happens at or near solid surfaces and interfaces. This includes gas-solid and liquid-solid boundaries, including aqueous interfaces that are central to many energy, environmental, and biological processes.

Does the program emphasize sustainability or green chemistry?

Yes. Sustainability themes run throughout the scope, including environmental catalysis, green chemistry fundamentals, and approaches that use biorenewable resources as feedstocks or enable cleaner and more resource-efficient chemical manufacturing.

Are multidisciplinary proposals encouraged?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly encourages multidisciplinary proposals that may combine chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, electrochemistry, surface science, and computation.

What does NSF say about connecting experiments and modeling?

NSF expresses interest in projects that connect catalyst synthesis and characterization with mechanistic insight and predictive modeling, and then translate that understanding into improved process design or reactor control. The program also notes interest in theory and computation that are tightly coupled to experiment for validation and for guiding catalyst design.

What modeling and simulation approaches are relevant?

The program includes ab initio and semiempirical approaches, kinetic theory, kinetic modeling, and dynamic simulations of complex reaction networks, especially where modeling is integrated with experimental validation and is used to guide catalyst design and process understanding.

Does the program support work on mass and heat transport effects in catalysis?

Yes. Topics of interest include reaction-process interactions involving mass and heat transport and using the combined knowledge of kinetics, transport, and mechanism to design or control complex reactive systems.

Are thin films and surface processing topics included?

Yes. The program includes reactive deposition and processing for thin film materials, where catalysis and surface reactions influence the formation and performance of functional coatings and thin films.

What catalyst material scales are emphasized?

NSF highlights synthesis and characterization of novel catalytic structures from the atomic scale through the nanoscale. The program is interested in catalysts engineered to function at nanometer dimensions where surface structure, electronic effects, and confinement can strongly influence selectivity and activity.

Does the program support device-integrated catalysis (sensors, electronics, coatings)?

Yes. The program welcomes work that integrates catalysis into devices and engineered systems, including catalytic materials used in sensors, electronic devices, and coatings, including architectures that incorporate components from the nano- to micron-scale.

Are photochemical, electrochemical, and biocatalytic reaction engineering topics eligible?

Yes. The program supports catalytic reaction engineering across chemical, photochemical, electrochemical, and biocatalytic processes.

Is accelerated discovery (high-throughput, combinatorial, data mining) within scope?

Yes. The announcement notes interest in accelerated discovery and development methods such as combinatorial synthesis, high-throughput experimentation, and data mining, particularly when combined with mechanistic modeling or simulation to shorten development cycles for catalysts and processes.

Are environmental and energy applications eligible?

Yes, especially when tied to fundamental advances. The scope includes environmentally beneficial process alternatives, catalytic conversion of biorenewables, and improvements in energy and natural resource efficiency in chemical processing.

Does the program mention fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals?

Yes. The program mentions ultra-selective catalytic routes for fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals, where selectivity, yield, and impurity control are critical and where catalytic innovations can reduce waste and energy use.

Does the program include catalysts for producing nanomaterials?

Yes. The announcement notes interest in new catalysts for producing nanomaterials.

Who is eligible to apply?

The program is described as broadly open to eligible applicants and is not restricted by entity type in the provided description, unless otherwise clarified in NSF guidance. Applicants are expected to follow NSF-wide eligibility and proposal policies as laid out in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG).

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states that it does not require cost sharing or matching.

What is the typical award duration and size for unsolicited research awards?

Unsolicited research awards are typically funded for one to three years, with an average annual award size of about $100,000.

Are small equipment proposals allowed, and what is the cap?

Yes. Small equipment proposals up to $100,000 may be considered, but they must be submitted during the program's defined submission windows.

What happens if a small equipment proposal is submitted outside the submission window?

The announcement states that small equipment proposals submitted outside the announced dates are returned without review.

What are the recurring submission windows mentioned in the notice?

The solicitation lists recurring annual submission windows that historically ran from February 1 to March 1, and from August 15 to September 15, with proposals due by 5 p.m. local time. Applicants are expected to verify current dates because the specific notice is archived and was later replaced.

Is this opportunity archived, and what does that mean for applicants?

Yes. The notice is described as posted in 2009 and later archived (replaced by another listing). Because it is archived, applicants are expected to confirm current deadlines, instructions, and funding details on the active NSF program page.

The archived listing shows "Expected Awards: 0" and "Estimated Total Funding: 0." Does that mean there is no funding?

Not necessarily. The notice explains that these fields may reflect how the archived record was stored rather than the real program budget. Applicants typically confirm current funding levels and deadlines on the active NSF program page.

Which NSF proposal policies govern submission and compliance?

NSF directs applicants to follow the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG), which governs formatting, required sections, merit review criteria, and submission rules. The archived text notes the January 2009 version, but applicants should follow the currently applicable PAPPG version for their submission.

Are CAREER proposals possible under this program?

Yes. The program intersects with NSF CAREER proposals for early-career faculty. CAREER proposals have a five-year duration, and Engineering CAREER deadlines are typically in July each year. Applicants are directed to NSF's CAREER program information for details.

Can conference, workshop, or supplement proposals be submitted?

Yes. Proposals for conferences, workshops, and supplements may be submitted at any time, but they must be discussed with the program director before submission.

Are RAPID and EAGER mechanisms available, and is prior discussion required?

Yes. RAPID (Rapid Response Research) and EAGER (Early-Concept Grants for Exploratory Research) mechanisms are available (in place of the older SGER approach). These mechanisms require advance discussion with the program director prior to submission.

What is the deadline time zone and cutoff time mentioned?

The recurring windows in the notice specify proposals are due by 5 p.m. local time.

What category of activity does this grant fall under?

The notice categorizes the opportunity under science and technology research and development (R&D).

Where can applicants get help with access or technical issues?

For access or technical issues, the notice points to NSF grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov and recommends contacting NSF if there are linking or access problems.