Design of Engineering Material Systems | Apply Online

FAQs: NSF Design of Engineering Material Systems (DEMS)

What is the NSF DEMS program?

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Design of Engineering Material Systems (DEMS) program is a discretionary grant opportunity that supports fundamental research aimed at changing how advanced engineering material systems are designed, developed, and transitioned into real engineering use.

What is the main goal of DEMS-funded research?

The program aims to move beyond incremental improvements by creating new, broadly usable design methodologies that speed up the discovery and deployment of materials with novel properties and behaviors. The emphasis is on repeatable, scientifically grounded design frameworks that shorten the path from concept to material realization and application.

Is DEMS focused on materials research or materials-by-design?

DEMS emphasizes materials-by-design as an engineering discipline rather than materials research in isolation. Projects are expected to connect the materials innovation pipeline to rigorous engineering design principles, tools, and workflows.

How does NSF describe a strong DEMS proposal?

Based on the description provided, strong proposals typically integrate multiple elements of the materials innovation pipeline (for example, theory; processing and manufacturing pathways; data and informatics; experimental methods; and computational approaches) and tie them to clear engineering design principles and workflows. They also treat processing and manufacturing as first-class design variables and use clear performance metrics to drive the tailoring of material behavior.

What kinds of research activities does DEMS expect proposals to integrate?

DEMS expects integration across multiple parts of the materials innovation pipeline, which may include theory, processing and manufacturing pathways, data and informatics, experimental methods, and computational approaches, with explicit linkage to engineering design principles and tools.

Are processing and manufacturing important in DEMS proposals?

Yes. The program description highlights that strong proposals treat processing and manufacturing as design variables (not afterthoughts), meaning they are incorporated into the design methodology and decision-making from the start.

Do proposals need to use performance metrics?

Yes. The description indicates that strong proposals use clear performance metrics as the driver for tailoring material behavior, aligning the materials design effort with targeted engineering requirements.

Can a project focus on a specific material system?

Yes. The program notes it is acceptable, and often practical, to focus on a particular material system to keep the project concrete.

If a project focuses on one material system, does NSF still expect broader impact in method development?

Yes. Even if a project uses a specific material system as a concrete testbed, DEMS expects the resulting methods to generalize and be transferable across material classes so the broader community can reuse them.

What outcomes is DEMS trying to produce?

The intended outcomes are design-centered methodologies that enable researchers and engineers to systematically and rapidly arrive at material systems that meet targeted performance requirements and to insert those materials into engineering systems more quickly.

Is DEMS primarily interested in better models and predictions?

No. The description states that the intended outcomes are not simply better models or more accurate predictions. Instead, the focus is on design-centered methodologies and frameworks that accelerate materials realization and application.

Would a proposal focused mainly on modeling, simulation, or prediction be a good fit?

Not necessarily. The program description explicitly notes that proposals mainly emphasizing modeling, simulation, or prediction of material performance (even when paired with experiments for validation) are a poor fit if they do not place intellectual emphasis on design.

What happens to work that focuses on understanding behavior or improving predictive accuracy without developing a design paradigm?

The description indicates that work primarily about understanding behavior or improving predictive accuracy, without developing a design paradigm, is expected to be routed to other, more disciplinary NSF programs.

Where does DEMS sit within NSF funding classifications?

DEMS is positioned within NSF's Engineering grants portfolio under CFDA 47.041, within the science and technology research and development activity category.

How many awards does the DEMS program anticipate making?

The opportunity anticipates making around 15 awards.

Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of entity types may apply, as long as they meet any additional eligibility details included in the full program text.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number and title for this program?

The opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number PD 12 8086, titled "Design of Engineering Material Systems."

When was this opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on August 2, 2012.

What are the proposal submission windows and due time mentioned in the listing?

The listing notes recurring annual submission windows historically around September 1 to October 1 and January 15 to February 15, with proposals due by 5 p.m. local time.

What closing date and archive date are listed in the dataset?

The dataset lists a closing date of September 15, 2015, and an archive date of October 15, 2028, indicating the record is maintained for reference even if active deadlines have changed over time.

Who should be contacted for access or technical issues related to the announcement?

For access or technical issues related to the announcement, the provided point of contact is NSF grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.