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FAQs: NSF Catalysis and Biocatalysis Program (PD 10 1401)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a National Science Foundation (NSF) discretionary research grant opportunity under the Catalysis and Biocatalysis program (Funding Opportunity Number PD 10 1401). It supports research that advances fundamental science and innovative applied research in catalytic and biocatalytic processes relevant to chemical and energy technologies.

What kinds of research does the program aim to advance?

The program emphasizes understanding how catalyzed reactions work (including kinetics and mechanisms), how reactions behave at surfaces and interfaces, and how those insights enable the design of improved catalysts and catalytic processes for producing chemicals, fuels, specialized materials, and thin films.

Which disciplines does NSF expect to see represented?

The opportunity highlights multidisciplinary research connecting chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, biology/biochemistry (for biocatalysis), and modeling and simulation.

What types of catalysis are included in the program scope?

The scope is centered on catalysis in its major forms: heterogeneous catalysis (reactions on solid catalysts), homogeneous catalysis (molecular catalysts in solution), and biocatalysis (enzyme- or microbially driven transformations).

What priority research areas are called out?

NSF highlights several priority areas, including: mechanistic and kinetic studies of important catalytic reactions; characterization of chemical and biochemical phenomena at or near solid surfaces and interfaces; and kinetic modeling and theory ranging from semiempirical approaches to ab initio theory and dynamic simulation of complex reaction networks.

Are surface and interface phenomena specifically of interest?

Yes. The solicitation explicitly emphasizes characterization of phenomena at or near solid surfaces and interfaces, including gas-solid and liquid-solid systems, and it explicitly mentions aqueous interfaces.

Is modeling and simulation within scope?

Yes. The program includes kinetic modeling and theory, ranging from semiempirical approaches to ab initio theory and dynamic simulation, including complex reaction networks.

Does the program support catalysis research related to biomass conversion?

Yes. The solicitation explicitly calls out catalytic and biocatalytic routes for converting biomass into fuels and chemicals, positioning renewable feedstocks and biorenewables as a key application area.

Is creating new catalyst materials and structures part of the scope?

Yes. A substantial portion of the opportunity is focused on creating and understanding new catalyst materials and structures, including synthesis of novel compositions for heterogeneous, homogeneous, or biocatalysts and development of catalyst architectures.

What scales of catalyst characterization are relevant?

The program describes characterization from the atomic level through the nanoscale and also mentions work incorporating components from nano to micron scales when tying catalytic materials to devices and engineered systems.

Is research on catalyst architectures and nanomaterials eligible?

Yes. The program welcomes development of catalyst architectures and characterization and also notes leveraging new catalysts for producing nanomaterials as an eligible direction.

Are device-related or engineered-system applications allowed?

Yes. The solicitation welcomes research tying catalytic materials to devices and engineered systems such as sensors, electronic devices, and coatings, including work spanning nano to micron scales.

Is electrocatalysis included?

Yes. Electrocatalysis is emphasized, particularly electrocatalytic processes with engineering significance or commercial potential, and with relevance to fuel cell technologies.

Does the opportunity include thin films or deposition processes?

Yes. The program lists fundamental aspects of reactive deposition and thin-film processing as eligible topic areas, connecting catalysis concepts to materials processing and film growth mechanisms.

What does NSF expect proposals to emphasize besides the technical plan?

NSF stresses that proposals should (1) make a clear case for novelty relative to prior work, (2) explain why the novelty matters for engineering science (for example, enabling new design rules, predictive models, or scalable process concepts), and (3) articulate potential societal and/or industrial impact if successful.

Where must novelty, engineering-science importance, and broader impacts be stated?

NSF specifies that, at minimum, these points should appear in the Project Summary, so reviewers can see them immediately and not only in the main technical narrative.

How many awards and how much total funding were anticipated?

The program anticipated around 16 awards with an estimated total funding level of about $4.8 million.

What is the typical award duration?

Unsolicited standard research awards are typically one to three years in duration.

What is the typical annual award size?

The average annual award size is stated as about $100,000.

Are small equipment proposals allowed?

Yes. The announcement notes that small equipment proposals under $100,000 may be considered, but they must be submitted within the same designated submission windows.

Are submission windows strict?

Yes. The solicitation states that proposals submitted outside the announced window dates would be returned without review, indicating strict timing compliance for this cycle.

How does the CAREER mechanism relate to this program?

CAREER proposals are referenced as a mechanism with a five-year duration. Engineering CAREER deadlines occur in July each year, and applicants are directed to the separate CAREER solicitation for detailed requirements.

Can conferences or workshops be proposed under this opportunity?

Conference and workshop proposals can be submitted at any time, but the solicitation states that NSF requires prior discussion with the program director before submission.

Can supplements be requested?

Supplements can be submitted at any time, but the solicitation indicates they require prior discussion with the program director before submission.

Are RAPID and EAGER proposals allowed?

Yes. RAPID (Rapid Response Research) and EAGER (EArly concept Grants for Exploratory Research) mechanisms are available (in place of the older SGER mechanism), and the solicitation notes they require prior consultation with the program director.

What proposal preparation rules apply?

Proposal preparation is governed by NSF policy guidance in the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) referenced in the announcement.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to applicant entity types.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

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

How is this opportunity categorized by NSF?

The opportunity is categorized under Engineering Grants with CFDA 47.041.

When was this opportunity posted and what is its status now?

The listing indicates it was posted in early December 2009, had submission windows in early 2010 and late summer 2010, and it is now archived (with a note to see a later program description number for current opportunities).

Where should applicants go for submission support and official channels?

Contact and support information is provided through NSF/grants.gov channels, and prospective applicants are encouraged to coordinate with the program director, especially for nonstandard mechanisms such as EAGER, RAPID, workshops, or supplements.

Should applicants contact the program director before submitting?

Yes for certain mechanisms. The solicitation encourages coordination with the program director and explicitly requires prior discussion/consultation for workshops, supplements, RAPID, and EAGER submissions.