Opportunity Information: Apply for PD 11 1401
Apply for PD 11 1401
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Catalysis and Biocatalysis" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041 Engineering Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 8, 2011 and posted on Nov 30, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Replaced by 12 1401. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $4,800,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 16 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Catalysis and Biocatalysis program (Funding Opportunity Number PD 11-1401) supports research that advances the science and engineering of catalysts and catalytic processes, recognizing that catalysis underpins a huge range of everyday products, industrial operations, and energy technologies. The program is intentionally broad, spanning both fundamental, hypothesis-driven work and research with innovative applied directions. A central theme is that strong proposals typically blend chemical engineering and chemistry, and they often use multiple complementary methods to answer mechanistic and performance questions about catalytic systems.
The program invites proposals across a wide set of technical areas. Common scopes include catalyst synthesis along with characterization of structure, behavior, and performance; kinetics and mechanistic studies of important catalytic reactions; catalysis occurring at surfaces or within reactor process streams; fabrication of component materials and catalyst composites; modeling and other fundamental studies of catalysts and catalytic processes; and catalysts for alternative energy systems, including electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. Importantly, the program treats conventional inorganic and carbon-based catalysts on equal footing with enzymatic and other biocatalysts, and it recognizes that some projects may require specialized materials synthesis to obtain active, well-defined catalytic materials. For electrocatalysis and photocatalysis in particular, NSF notes that investigators may need to fabricate devices or integrated systems with real engineering relevance, since performance often has to be evaluated at the system level for applications such as energy storage, fuel cells, and solar energy conversion.
Most funded efforts will center on catalysis of specific chemical reactions, with products that can range from fuels and energy carriers to feedstocks, fine and bulk chemicals, and specialized materials. While the program is open to many reaction and product targets, it signals heightened interest in areas aligned with national needs, especially catalysts and processes that convert biomass into fuels and chemicals, approaches that enable alternative energy sources, and research supporting greener or more environmentally benign products and process pathways. It also explicitly welcomes submissions that explore catalysis unique to nanoparticles and work that bridges catalysis with biomimetic concepts, reflecting interest in emerging materials regimes and nature-inspired catalytic design.
The opportunity is structured to encourage coordination and co-funding across NSF, including with other programs within and beyond the CBET Division. Projects that sit at the intersection of catalysis with separations, reaction engineering, or broader energy systems can be submitted here while requesting that joint funding be explored. The program also places strong value on industry-university collaboration, pointing investigators to the GOALI mechanism as a formal pathway for such partnerships. Early-stage or high-risk ideas can be positioned through EAGER proposals as a way to develop into more complete future submissions, and the program highlights additional supportive mechanisms such as undergraduate involvement, workshops, and travel as tools to advance research objectives. CAREER proposals are described as particularly welcome, but NSF emphasizes that special proposal types (for example EAGER and RAPID) and certain activities (such as conferences and workshops) should be discussed with the Program Director before submission, since they come with specific rules and expectations.
In terms of what NSF expects to see in the proposal narrative, the program is clear that investigators need to articulate novelty relative to prior work and explain why that novelty matters for engineering science, not only for incremental performance gains. Proposals should also project the potential societal and/or industrial impacts if the research succeeds. At a minimum, these points should appear in the Project Summary, meaning reviewers should be able to quickly identify what is new, why it is scientifically and engineering-relevant, and what difference it could make beyond the lab.
On funding and timing, this opportunity is a discretionary grant program within NSF Engineering (CFDA 47.041) and does not require cost sharing. The archived solicitation listed an estimated total funding level of $4.8 million with an expectation of about 16 awards, and it listed an award floor of $300,000. For typical unsolicited research awards, durations are generally one to three years, with a typical annual award size around $100,000. The program also considers small equipment proposals under $100,000, but these must be submitted during the defined submission windows. Proposals submitted outside the announced windows are returned without review, so timing is treated as a strict compliance item. The submission windows described were February 1 to March 1 annually and August 15 to September 15 annually, with proposals due by 5 p.m. local time of the proposer. CAREER awards run five years, with an annual Engineering CAREER deadline in July. Conference, workshop, and supplement proposals may be submitted at any time, but require prior discussion with the Program Director. RAPID and EAGER mechanisms are available in place of the former SGER approach, again with the expectation of prior discussion and compliance with the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG).
Eligibility for the opportunity was listed as unrestricted, meaning it was broadly open to applicant entity types unless otherwise clarified in the solicitation text. The posting date was November 30, 2010, and the opportunity record indicates it has been replaced by a later version (12-1401) and archived as of June 8, 2011, which matters if someone is searching the historical record versus preparing a current submission under the updated solicitation. For access issues related to the announcement, the contact pathway referenced NSF grants.gov support (grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov).
FAQs: NSF Catalysis and Biocatalysis Program (PD 11-1401)
What is the NSF Catalysis and Biocatalysis (PD 11-1401) program?
It is a National Science Foundation (NSF) program within NSF Engineering that supports research advancing the science and engineering of catalysts and catalytic processes. The scope is intentionally broad, covering both fundamental hypothesis-driven work and innovative applied research directions, with catalysis framed as a foundation for many products, industrial operations, and energy technologies.
What kinds of research topics are considered a fit?
The program invites proposals across many technical areas, including:
- Catalyst synthesis plus characterization of structure, behavior, and performance
- Kinetics and mechanistic studies of important catalytic reactions
- Catalysis at surfaces or within reactor process streams
- Fabrication of component materials and catalyst composites
- Modeling and other fundamental studies of catalysts and catalytic processes
- Catalysts for alternative energy systems, including electrocatalysis and photocatalysis
Does the program support biocatalysis and enzymes, or only traditional catalysts?
It supports both. Conventional inorganic and carbon-based catalysts are treated on equal footing with enzymatic and other biocatalysts.
Is the program mainly fundamental research, or can applied research be competitive?
Both are within scope. The program spans fundamental, hypothesis-driven work as well as research with innovative applied directions, and it emphasizes using strong scientific and engineering rationale in either case.
What does NSF say about combining disciplines like chemistry and chemical engineering?
A central theme is that strong proposals typically blend chemical engineering and chemistry. The program also notes that many compelling projects use multiple complementary methods to address mechanistic and performance questions about catalytic systems.
What reaction types or products are expected to be the focus?
Most funded efforts are expected to center on catalysis of specific chemical reactions. Potential product targets include fuels and energy carriers, feedstocks, fine and bulk chemicals, and specialized materials.
Are there priority areas or special interests called out?
Yes. While the program is open to many targets, it signals heightened interest aligned with national needs, especially:
- Catalysts and processes that convert biomass into fuels and chemicals
- Approaches that enable alternative energy sources
- Research supporting greener or more environmentally benign products and process pathways
It also explicitly welcomes work on catalysis unique to nanoparticles and research bridging catalysis with biomimetic concepts (nature-inspired catalytic design).
What is NSF looking for in electrocatalysis and photocatalysis proposals?
The program notes that electrocatalysis and photocatalysis often require performance evaluation at the system level for real applications (for example energy storage, fuel cells, and solar energy conversion). Because of that, investigators may need to fabricate devices or integrated systems with real engineering relevance, not only materials in isolation.
Do projects need specialized materials synthesis to be competitive?
Not always, but the program recognizes that some projects may require specialized materials synthesis to obtain active, well-defined catalytic materials, and that can be an important enabling component of the research plan.
Can proposals request coordination or co-funding with other NSF programs?
Yes. The opportunity is structured to encourage coordination and co-funding across NSF, including with other programs within and beyond the CBET Division. Projects at the intersection of catalysis with separations, reaction engineering, or broader energy systems may be submitted here while requesting that joint funding be explored.
Does the program encourage industry-university collaboration?
Yes. Industry-university collaboration is valued, and the program points investigators to the GOALI mechanism as a formal pathway to structure such partnerships.
What is the GOALI mechanism in this context?
GOALI is referenced as NSF's formal mechanism to support industry-university collaboration for projects aligned with this catalysis and biocatalysis scope.
Is there an option for early-stage or high-risk ideas?
Yes. Early-stage or high-risk ideas can be positioned through EAGER proposals, which NSF frames as a pathway to develop concepts into more complete future submissions.
Are RAPID proposals allowed?
RAPID proposals are listed as available (in addition to EAGER) in place of the former SGER approach, with the expectation that investigators follow NSF rules and discuss the approach with the Program Director beforehand.
Are CAREER proposals welcomed?
Yes. CAREER proposals are described as particularly welcome. The program also notes that CAREER awards run five years and follow an annual Engineering CAREER deadline in July.
Do I need to contact the Program Director before submitting certain proposal types?
Yes. NSF emphasizes that special proposal types (for example EAGER and RAPID) and certain activities (such as conferences and workshops) should be discussed with the Program Director before submission due to specific rules and expectations.
Can conference, workshop, travel, or supplement proposals be submitted?
Yes. The program highlights mechanisms such as undergraduate involvement, workshops, and travel as tools to advance research objectives. It also states that conference, workshop, and supplement proposals may be submitted at any time, but they require prior discussion with the Program Director.
What does NSF expect in the proposal narrative and Project Summary?
The program is clear that proposals should:
- Articulate novelty relative to prior work
- Explain why that novelty matters for engineering science (not only incremental performance gains)
- Project potential societal and/or industrial impacts if successful
At a minimum, these points should appear in the Project Summary so reviewers can quickly identify what is new, why it is scientifically and engineering-relevant, and what difference it could make beyond the lab.
Is cost sharing required?
No. The opportunity states that cost sharing is not required.
What was the estimated funding level and number of awards?
The archived solicitation listed an estimated total funding level of $4.8 million with an expectation of about 16 awards.
What is the minimum award size mentioned?
The archived solicitation listed an award floor of $300,000.
How long are typical awards, and what is a typical annual budget?
For typical unsolicited research awards, durations are generally one to three years, with a typical annual award size around $100,000.
Are small equipment proposals allowed?
Yes. The program considers small equipment proposals under $100,000, but they must be submitted during the defined submission windows.
When are proposals due, and how strict are the deadlines?
The submission windows described were February 1 to March 1 annually and August 15 to September 15 annually, with proposals due by 5 p.m. local time of the proposer. Timing is treated as strict compliance: proposals submitted outside the announced windows are returned without review.
Are there different deadlines for CAREER proposals?
Yes. CAREER awards follow an annual Engineering CAREER deadline in July and run five years.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning it was broadly open to applicant entity types unless otherwise clarified in the solicitation text.
What is the CFDA number and NSF area for this opportunity?
The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant program within NSF Engineering (CFDA 47.041).
Is this solicitation current or archived?
This opportunity record indicates it was replaced by a later version (12-1401) and archived as of June 8, 2011. That matters for anyone referencing the historical record versus preparing a current submission under the updated solicitation.
What are the posting and archive dates listed?
The posting date was November 30, 2010, and the record indicates it was archived on June 8, 2011.
What should I do if I have trouble accessing the announcement via Grants.gov?
The contact pathway referenced NSF grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
What funding opportunity number is associated with this program?
The information provided cites Funding Opportunity Number PD 11-1401 for the NSF Catalysis and Biocatalysis program.
What compliance or policy guide governs these submissions?
The opportunity references compliance with the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG), especially for mechanisms like EAGER and RAPID.
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| Particulate and Multiphase Processes Apply for PD 11 1415 Funding Number: PD 11 1415 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biophotonics Apply for PD 11 7236 Funding Number: PD 11 7236 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Chemical and Biological Separations Apply for PD 11 1417 Funding Number: PD 11 1417 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Combustion, Fire, and Plasma Systems Apply for PD 11 1407 Funding Number: PD 11 1407 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biosensing Apply for PD 11 7909 Funding Number: PD 11 7909 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Thermal Transport Processes Apply for PD 11 1406 Funding Number: PD 11 1406 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Interfacial Processes and Thermodynamics Apply for PD 11 1414 Funding Number: PD 11 1414 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DHS Scientific Leadership Awards for Minority Serving Institutions Granting Bachelor Degrees Apply for DHS 11 ST 062 002 Funding Number: DHS 11 ST 062 002 Agency: Office of Procurement Operations Grants Division Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Exploratory Research Apply for DHS 10 DN 077 001 NCE Funding Number: DHS 10 DN 077 001 NCE Agency: Office of Procurement Operations Grants Division Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare and Combating Terrorism Basic and Applied Research and Advanced Technology Development Apply for BAA11 007 Funding Number: BAA11 007 Agency: Office of Naval Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Disaster Resilience for Rural Communities Apply for 11 510 Funding Number: 11 510 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| General Age Related Disabilities Engineering (GARDE) Apply for PD 11 5342 Funding Number: PD 11 5342 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biomedical Engineering Apply for PD 11 5345 Funding Number: PD 11 5345 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Environmental Engineering Apply for PD 11 1440 Funding Number: PD 11 1440 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Environmental Sustainability Apply for PD 11 7643 Funding Number: PD 11 7643 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences Jointly with The National Nuclear Security Administration, Defense Programs High Energy Density Laboratory Plasmas Apply for DE FOA 0000431 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000431 Agency: Chicago Service Center Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| High Performance System Acquisition Enhancing the Petascale Computing Environment for Science and Engineering Apply for 11 511 Funding Number: 11 511 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation Research Apply for 11 512 Funding Number: 11 512 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,400,000 |
| EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program Track 2 Apply for 11 513 Funding Number: 11 513 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Defense Production Act Title III High Performance Thermal Batteries Project Apply for BAA 11 09 PKM Funding Number: BAA 11 09 PKM Agency: Air Force Research Lab Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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