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NSF Catalysis and Biocatalysis Program (CBET) FAQs

What is the NSF Catalysis and Biocatalysis program?

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Catalysis and Biocatalysis program (CBET; Funding Opportunity Number PD 13-1401) supports research that advances how catalysts are designed, understood, and used in chemical and biological transformations that matter for industry, energy, and society.

What kind of research approach is NSF looking for in this program?

The program is centered on hypothesis-driven research. Proposals are expected to go beyond showing a performance improvement and instead explain why an improvement occurs and what new scientific understanding or capability is created. NSF highlights projects that integrate multiple tools (for example, synthesis, characterization, kinetic testing, and modeling) to address fundamental questions while opening paths to practical applications.

Is the program limited to chemical catalysis, or does it include biocatalysis?

It includes both. The scope covers traditional inorganic or carbon-based catalysts as well as enzymes and other biocatalysts.

How broad is the scientific scope for eligible topics?

The scope is intentionally broad. Funded proposals may focus on catalyst synthesis, characterization, behavior, and performance; kinetics and reaction mechanisms; catalysis at surfaces or within reactor process streams; fabrication of catalyst components and composite materials; modeling and other fundamental studies of catalysts or catalytic processes; and catalysts for renewable energy systems.

Are specialized materials synthesis methods considered within scope?

Yes. The program explicitly recognizes that specialized materials synthesis methods can be essential to obtain the active catalytic structures needed for meaningful studies.

Does NSF support application-driven catalysis research in this program?

Yes, especially when application-driven work is paired with strong mechanistic insight. NSF specifically notes interest in areas like biomass conversion catalysis, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis where catalysts enable energy conversion devices or systems.

Are there priority areas or topics of higher interest?

NSF signals a higher level of interest in work aligned with national needs, including processes and catalysts for converting biomass into fuels and chemicals, developing renewable energy sources, and enabling greener, more environmentally benign products and manufacturing routes.

Does the program invite proposals on emerging or “transformative” catalyst concepts?

Yes. The program invites submissions exploring unique nanoparticle catalysis and biomimetic catalysis, reflecting interest in emerging concepts that could be enabling or transformative.

Do projects need to focus on a specific reaction?

Most projects are expected to center on catalyzing one or more specific reactions that produce molecules relevant to fuels, energy carriers, feedstocks, fine or bulk chemicals, and specialized materials.

Can projects be coordinated with other NSF programs?

Yes. Projects may be coordinated with or jointly funded alongside other NSF CBET and divisional programs, particularly when the work sits at the intersection of catalysis with separations, reaction engineering, or renewable energy systems.

Is industry-university collaboration encouraged?

Yes. NSF highlights strong interest in industry-university collaboration through the GOALI mechanism, particularly when industrial context, data, or scale-up considerations strengthen the research questions.

What is GOALI in the context of this opportunity?

GOALI is a mechanism NSF points to for industry-university collaboration. In this program, it is presented as a good fit when partnership with industry strengthens the research through context, access to data, or scale-up considerations.

Does the program support high-risk, early-stage ideas?

Yes. NSF views EAGER proposals as a way to seed early, high-risk concepts that could later develop into full proposals.

Are CAREER proposals welcomed under this program?

Yes. CAREER proposals are actively encouraged. The notice references the standard five-year duration and notes that the Engineering CAREER deadline typically falls in July.

What is the typical award duration for unsolicited projects?

Unsolicited awards are generally one to three years.

What is the typical annual award size?

The typical annual award size is about $100,000.

Can I request a budget substantially larger than the typical annual amount?

NSF notes that proposals requesting substantially more than about $100,000 per year without prior discussion with the Program Director may be returned without review. The practical takeaway is to consult the Program Director if your budget departs from typical levels.

Are small equipment proposals allowed?

Small equipment proposals under $100,000 may be considered, but they must be submitted during the annual submission window.

Is cost sharing required?

No cost sharing is required for this opportunity.

How much total funding and how many awards are expected under this opportunity?

The program figures listed include an estimated total funding level of about $4.8 million and an expected number of awards around 16.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open broadly to eligible entities), subject to any clarifications in the solicitation text.

What makes a proposal competitive in this program?

Competitiveness is tied closely to clearly communicating novelty or potentially transformative aspects compared to prior work and explaining why the results will matter to engineering science as well as to society and/or industry.

Where should novelty or transformative potential be stated in the proposal?

NSF expects novelty or transformative potential to be stated at least in the Project Summary, not buried deeper in the narrative.

Do proposals have to be submitted during a specific submission window?

Yes. The notice emphasizes that proposals must be submitted during the announced window. Unsolicited submissions outside the window can be returned without review.

Can a proposal be returned without review, and if so, why?

Yes. The notice points to at least two common reasons: (1) submissions outside the announced window and (2) budgets that request substantially more than the typical annual amount without prior discussion with the Program Director.

Should applicants talk to the Program Director before submitting?

Yes. Investigators are encouraged to consult with the Program Director before submitting, especially if the topic is unusual for the program or the budget departs from typical levels.

Do reviewer scores alone determine funding decisions?

No. The notice indicates that funding decisions also reflect portfolio balance, available funds, and broader NSF priorities, not just reviewer scores.

Are activities like undergraduate research involvement, workshops, or travel supported?

Yes, related activities such as undergraduate research involvement, workshops, and travel may be supported when they clearly advance the research objectives.

What types of catalyst systems are explicitly within scope?

The program’s topics apply to traditional inorganic catalysts, carbon-based catalysts, enzymes, and other biocatalysts, including systems where catalyst structures must be obtained through specialized synthesis methods.

What kinds of impacts does NSF emphasize for this program?

NSF emphasizes impacts that matter to engineering science and to society and/or industry, including relevance to energy, greener manufacturing, environmentally benign products and routes, and transformations important to industrial and societal needs.