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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI) Phase I (NSF 09-503)

What is the NSF Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI) Phase I opportunity?

NSF CCI Phase I (NSF Publication 09-503; Funding Opportunity Number 09-503) is a discretionary NSF grant opportunity in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences area (CFDA 47.049). It is designed to launch new, center-scale efforts that address major, long-term basic research challenges in chemistry and closely related fields.

What is the central purpose of the program?

The program aims to form collaborative research centers organized around high-risk, potentially high-impact chemical research problems. NSF is looking for ideas that could lead to transformative discoveries, spur innovation, and justify why a center structure (rather than a standard research group or loose consortium) is needed to make meaningful progress.

What kinds of research problems is NSF trying to support through CCI Phase I?

NSF emphasizes ambitious, long-term basic research challenges in chemistry or closely related fields. The problems should be high-risk with potential for high impact, significant enough to attract broad scientific attention and public interest, and supported by a clear rationale for why a collaborative center is necessary.

How is a CCI expected to function as an organization?

A defining expectation is that proposed centers operate as agile, modern research organizations rather than static consortia. Teams are expected to respond quickly to emerging opportunities, make strategic course corrections based on results, and actively use collaboration-enabling approaches to strengthen productivity across institutions.

What role does cyberinfrastructure play in a CCI proposal?

Cyberinfrastructure is explicitly called out as a tool to strengthen collaboration and productivity. Examples include advanced computing, data-sharing platforms, remote collaboration tools, and potentially shared modeling or experimental resources that connect multiple institutions and contributors.

Is chemistry the only discipline involved, or are cross-disciplinary teams encouraged?

Chemistry is the anchor discipline, but the program explicitly encourages including researchers from other fields when that breadth is essential to achieving the scientific vision.

Can partnerships include industry, government laboratories, or international organizations?

Yes. Partnerships may involve academia and contributors from industry, government laboratories, and international organizations. NSF highlights the value of leveraging diverse expertise and perspectives to accelerate discovery.

Can NSF funds from a CCI award be sent to industry partners, government labs, or international organizations?

No. While such partners may collaborate and contribute expertise, facilities, data, or other support, NSF funds from a CCI award may not be passed to industry, government laboratories, or international organizations. Budgets must remain within eligible U.S. academic or non-profit research entities.

What does NSF expect beyond scientific research in a CCI Phase I proposal?

NSF expects integration of research, education, and outreach into a coherent whole. Proposals should describe how the center will train students and researchers, contribute to education (for example through curricula, workshops, or cross-disciplinary training models), and conduct outreach that meaningfully connects the center to broader audiences.

Is there a requirement related to broadening participation?

Yes. The solicitation includes a specific requirement for a credible plan to broaden participation for underrepresented groups in science and engineering.

What does the solicitation mean by “demonstrable impact”?

It means applicants should go beyond listing activities and instead present a compelling strategy with outcomes and indicators that show how the center will make a difference scientifically, educationally, and societally.

How is the CCI program structured, and what does Phase I cover?

The program has two phases, and this announcement covers Phase I. Phase I is intended to provide substantial resources so teams can develop and refine the scientific agenda, education and outreach components, innovation pathways, and the management/coordination structure needed for a successful center prior to seeking larger-scale Phase II support.

How does the Phase I application and review process work?

Phase I uses a two-step review process. First, a preliminary proposal must be submitted and peer reviewed. Only selected teams are then invited to submit a full proposal. Full proposals are by invitation only and expand on the center concept and execution plan.

Are full proposals accepted without an invitation?

No. Full proposals are by invitation only following review of the required preliminary proposal.

How many awards did NSF anticipate making, and what was the total funding estimate?

NSF anticipated making about six awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $3,000,000.

What was the minimum award size stated in the solicitation?

The award floor stated in the solicitation was $1,500,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The solicitation states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

What is the funding instrument and activity category?

The funding instrument is a grant. The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

Who is eligible to apply as the submitting organization?

Eligibility is primarily limited to U.S.-based, nonprofit and academic organizations. Eligible applicants include accredited U.S. universities and two- and four-year colleges (including community colleges) with a campus located in the United States (applying on behalf of their faculty), as well as certain non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar U.S. organizations associated with educational or research activities.

Who can serve as the Principal Investigator (PI)?

The PI must be affiliated with a U.S. academic institution or a non-profit research organization.

Can investigators or collaborators come from outside the eligible applicant organizations?

Yes. Other investigators and collaborators may come from academia, non-profit research organizations, industry, government laboratories, and international organizations. The solicitation also notes that unaffiliated scientists may be supported through an eligible submitting organization.

Are there limits on how many CCI Phase I proposals an investigator can be part of?

Yes. An investigator may participate as PI or senior personnel on only one CCI Phase I proposal and its associated preliminary proposal in this competition.

What happens if a senior person is listed on more than one submission?

NSF places responsibility on the PI to ensure that no senior personnel appear on more than one submission. If senior personnel appear on multiple submissions, all involved proposals can be returned without review.

What are the key dates listed for this opportunity?

The posted date was November 19, 2008. The required preliminary proposal was due February 2, 2009 (by 5 p.m. local time of the proposer). Invited full proposals were due June 3, 2009. The closing date listed is June 3, 2009.

Is this opportunity still open?

No. The opportunity lists 2009 due dates and was later archived on March 8, 2010.

What was the intended trajectory from Phase I to Phase II?

The timeline described indicates that Phase I projects funded in fiscal year 2009 would be positioned to compete for Phase II funding in fiscal year 2012.

Where was administrative support directed for accessing the announcement?

Administrative support for accessing the announcement was routed through NSF’s Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.

What does NSF mean by needing a clear rationale for a “center structure”?

Based on the solicitation description, NSF expects proposers to explain why progress on the chosen problem requires an organized, collaborative center-scale effort (including coordination, shared infrastructure, and adaptive management), rather than being achievable through isolated or loosely connected projects.

What is the overall goal of CCI Phase I in practical terms?

Phase I is meant to seed ambitious collaborative chemical research centers by supporting early execution and the build-out of center operations, including scientific planning, education and outreach integration, innovation pathways, and management/coordination approaches, so the most promising teams are prepared to pursue larger Phase II support.