Opportunity Information: Apply for 13 597
Apply for 13 597
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Direct Detection Dark Matter Experiments" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.049 Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 23, 2014 and posted on Aug 29, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Opportunity NSF 13 597 has been archived.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $22,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Organization Limit Proposals may only be submitted by the following Universities and Colleges Universities and two and four year colleges (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in, the US acting on behalf of their faculty members. Such organizations also are referred to as academic institutions.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) funding opportunity titled "Direct Detection Dark Matter Experiments" (Funding Opportunity Number NSF 13-597) was a discretionary grant solicitation focused on advancing the next generation of experiments designed to directly detect dark matter particles. The core purpose of the program was to support both research and development (R&D) and the construction of future-generation direct detection experiments, meaning it was aimed not only at early-stage concept and technology maturation work but also at enabling the build-out of experimental infrastructure and detector systems intended for cutting-edge dark matter searches.
A notable feature of the solicitation was its broad scientific scope. Rather than restricting proposals to the most commonly discussed dark matter candidates, the announcement explicitly stated that proposals were not limited to WIMPs (weakly interacting massive particles) or axions. Investigators could propose searches targeting any viable dark matter species, which signaled NSF interest in encouraging innovation, diversification of search strategies, and scientifically well-justified approaches even if they fell outside the most established candidate classes. In practical terms, that openness could encompass a range of detector concepts, interaction channels, mass ranges, and novel detection media, so long as the work clearly supported the goal of direct detection and was scientifically and technically credible.
From a funding and program scale perspective, NSF anticipated making around five awards, with an estimated total funding level of $22,000,000. The program sat within the NSF Mathematical and Physical Sciences umbrella (CFDA 47.049, Mathematical and Physical Sciences) and was categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development. The solicitation did not require cost sharing or matching, which typically lowers the barrier for universities to propose ambitious projects without needing to secure institutional or third-party matching funds.
Eligibility was limited to U.S. academic institutions: proposals could be submitted by accredited U.S. universities and colleges, including two-year and four-year institutions (explicitly including community colleges), provided they had a campus located in the United States and were submitting on behalf of their faculty members. This structure reflects NSF norms in which universities act as the official applicant organizations for investigator-led research programs.
In terms of timing, the opportunity was originally posted on August 29, 2013, with a required Letter of Intent due October 16, 2013 (by 5 p.m. the proposer’s local time), and full proposals due November 26, 2013. The opportunity has since been archived (archive date June 23, 2014), meaning it is no longer open for submission under that specific solicitation, though similar research areas may appear in later NSF opportunities. The grant mechanism was a standard NSF grant funding instrument.
For reference and administrative support, the solicitation pointed applicants to NSF Publication 13-597 for the complete announcement details. It also included guidance to contact NSF’s Grants.gov support (grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) for technical difficulties accessing the announcement electronically or issues linking to the funding notice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NSF 13-597: Direct Detection Dark Matter Experiments
What is this funding opportunity?
This was a National Science Foundation (NSF) discretionary grant solicitation titled "Direct Detection Dark Matter Experiments" under Funding Opportunity Number NSF 13-597. It was designed to support work that advances the next generation of experiments intended to directly detect dark matter particles.
What was the main purpose of NSF 13-597?
The program aimed to support both (1) research and development (R&D) and (2) construction of future-generation direct detection dark matter experiments. In other words, it covered early-stage technology maturation as well as efforts enabling the build-out of experimental infrastructure and detector systems for cutting-edge dark matter searches.
Did the solicitation support only early-stage research, or also full experiment construction?
It supported both. The stated scope included R&D and construction for future-generation direct detection experiments, indicating NSF interest in projects ranging from concept and technology development to building experimental systems and infrastructure.
What types of dark matter candidates were eligible to be targeted?
The solicitation explicitly stated that proposals were not limited to WIMPs (weakly interacting massive particles) or axions. Investigators could propose searches targeting any viable dark matter species, as long as the work aligned with the goal of direct detection and was scientifically and technically credible.
Was the program limited to WIMPs or axions?
No. The announcement specifically noted that proposals were not limited to WIMPs or axions, signaling an openness to diverse, innovative, and scientifically well-justified direct detection approaches.
How broad was the scientific scope?
The scope was described as broad. The solicitation encouraged innovation and diversification of search strategies beyond the most commonly discussed candidate classes, potentially including different detector concepts, interaction channels, mass ranges, and detection media, provided the work clearly supported direct detection goals.
How many awards did NSF expect to make?
NSF anticipated making around five awards under this solicitation.
What was the estimated total funding level?
The estimated total funding level was $22,000,000.
Which NSF area or directorate did this fall under?
The opportunity sat within NSF's Mathematical and Physical Sciences umbrella and referenced CFDA 47.049 (Mathematical and Physical Sciences).
How was the opportunity categorized?
It was categorized under "Science and Technology and other Research and Development."
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The solicitation stated that cost sharing or matching was not required.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to U.S. academic institutions. Proposals could be submitted by accredited U.S. universities and colleges, including both two-year and four-year institutions (explicitly including community colleges), as long as they had a campus located in the United States and were submitting on behalf of their faculty members.
Could community colleges apply?
Yes. Two-year institutions, including community colleges, were explicitly included as eligible academic institutions, provided they met the stated U.S. campus and accreditation conditions and submitted on behalf of faculty.
Could non-academic organizations apply?
Based on the stated eligibility, the solicitation limited applicants to U.S. academic institutions (universities and colleges). No other eligible applicant categories were described in the provided information.
Was this a discretionary or formula grant?
It was described as a discretionary grant solicitation.
What funding instrument was used?
The grant mechanism was a standard NSF grant funding instrument.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was originally posted on August 29, 2013.
Was a Letter of Intent required?
Yes. A Letter of Intent was required, with a due date of October 16, 2013 by 5 p.m. the proposer's local time.
When were full proposals due?
Full proposals were due on November 26, 2013.
Is this funding opportunity still open?
No. The opportunity has been archived (archive date June 23, 2014), meaning it is no longer open for submission under that specific solicitation.
Does "archived" mean the topic will never be funded again?
No. "Archived" means the specific solicitation NSF 13-597 is closed. The provided information notes that similar research areas may appear in later NSF opportunities.
Where can applicants find the full solicitation text and official details?
The solicitation pointed applicants to NSF Publication 13-597 for complete announcement details.
Who should be contacted for technical problems accessing the announcement?
For technical difficulties accessing the announcement electronically or issues linking to the funding notice, the solicitation directed applicants to contact NSF's Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
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