Division of Physics Investigator Initiated Research Projects | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The Division of Physics Investigator Initiated Research Projects opportunity (NSF 15-579) is a National Science Foundation grant program that funds investigator-driven research and related education efforts in physics at U.S. colleges and universities. The core purpose is to support fundamental and broadly impactful physics across an exceptionally wide range of spatial and temporal scales, from studies of the very large and old (for example, cosmology and astrophysical phenomena) to the very small and fast (for example, particle, nuclear, and atomic-scale physics). The program is structured to back both experimental and theoretical work, reflecting NSF PHYs role as a primary federal supporter of basic physics research in academia.

The solicitation covers many major subfields administered through PHY disciplinary programs. These include Accelerator Science; Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Physics (both experiment and theory); Computational Physics; Elementary Particle Physics (with separate tracks for experiment and theory); Gravitational Physics (experiment and theory); Integrative Activities in Physics (activities that connect areas, build community capabilities, or enable cross-cutting physics efforts); Nuclear Physics (experiment and theory); Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology (theory) and Particle Astrophysics (experiment, listed alongside integrative activities); Physics of Living Systems; and Quantum Information Science. Plasma Physics is noted as part of PHYs overall scientific scope but is supported under a separate solicitation, meaning applicants in plasma-focused areas are expected to look for the dedicated plasma program rather than submit under this opportunity.

A notable proposal-handling point is PHYs strong preference for a single proposal submitted for potential co-review instead of multiple similar proposals sent to different programs with minor variations. In practice, that means if a project naturally spans more than one physics subfield or program boundary, applicants are encouraged to submit one well-integrated proposal and indicate the cross-cutting nature, allowing NSF to coordinate review across relevant programs. This approach is intended to reduce redundant submissions, streamline review, and ensure the project is evaluated coherently rather than fragmented across several near-duplicate applications.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity under the NSF Mathematical and Physical Sciences CFDA listing 47.049. The opportunity was posted June 19, 2015, with a closing date of December 3, 2015, and it was later archived January 2, 2021. The estimated total funding amount listed for the solicitation is $90,000,000, and cost sharing or matching is not required. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full solicitation text, which applicants would typically consult to confirm institutional requirements and proposal conditions.

For access and support, the announcement points applicants to NSF Publication 15-579 and provides standard NSF/Grants.gov assistance contacts for issues accessing the announcement or linking to the funding notice.

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