Electronics, Photonics, and Magnetic Devices | Apply Online

FAQs: NSF Electronics, Photonics, and Magnetic Devices (EPMD) Program

What is the NSF Electronics, Photonics, and Magnetic Devices (EPMD) program?

The Electronics, Photonics, and Magnetic Devices (EPMD) program is a National Science Foundation (NSF) research grant opportunity within NSF Engineering (CFDA 47.041). It supports research that advances the fundamental science and engineering behind electronic, photonic, magnetic, and related device technologies.

What is the main goal of the EPMD program?

The central goal is to deepen understanding of how devices and components behave when they are built from, or governed by, micro- and nanoscale physical phenomena. The emphasis is on discovery-driven research that can open up new device concepts, new operating regimes, or new ways to measure and manipulate device behavior at very small scales.

Is EPMD focused on product development or fundamental research?

EPMD is aimed less at incremental product development and more at foundational, discovery-driven research. The program description highlights research that advances fundamental device science and engineering rather than incremental improvements to existing products.

What device and technology areas are within scope for EPMD?

The program is broadly concerned with electronic, photonic, magnetic, and related devices driven by micro/nanoscale phenomena. Areas explicitly mentioned include micro/nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, magnetics, electromagnetics, and electromechanics.

Does EPMD support research beyond conventional silicon scaling?

Yes. The scope includes nanoelectronics that push beyond conventional silicon scaling, including concepts intended to move beyond traditional silicon technology limits.

What kinds of magnetic or spin-based topics are included?

The program includes spin electronics and magnetic devices that exploit electron spin and multiferroic effects. Magnetics and multiferroics are also called out as a topic area of interest.

Are molecular, organic, or nontraditional material systems eligible topics?

Yes. EPMD explicitly includes molecular or organic electronics and photonics using nontraditional materials systems for computation, sensing, light generation, or detection.

Does EPMD include bioelectronics or devices that interface with biology?

Yes. Bioelectronics and biomagnetics are highlighted, including devices that interface with biology for diagnostics, monitoring, and therapy. The description also references emerging diagnostic, wearable, and implantable platforms.

Are flexible and printed electronics within scope?

Yes. Flexible, printed, and non-silicon electronics are explicitly listed as supported areas, including related device concepts such as light-emitting devices and displays.

Does the program include sensors, actuators, and MEMS/NEMS?

Yes. The scope includes sensors and actuators and MEMS/NEMS (micro- and nano-electromechanical systems), which often combine mechanical motion with electrical or optical transduction.

What photonics topics does EPMD support?

The program lists optoelectronics topics such as lasers, photodetectors, optical fiber components, micro/nano photonics, photonic integration, nonlinear optics, spectroscopy, and optical imaging.

Does EPMD support microwave photonics and high-frequency device research?

Yes. EPMD supports microwave photonics and device solutions for high-frequency and high-data-rate applications, including radio-frequency (RF) integrated circuits and reconfigurable antennas.

Are microwave, millimeter-wave, and terahertz devices and circuits eligible?

Yes. Microwave, millimeter-wave, and terahertz devices and circuits are explicitly within scope, along with related areas such as vacuum electronics and antennas.

Are electromagnetics topics like propagation, scattering, and metamaterials included?

Yes. The scope includes electromagnetic propagation and scattering and metamaterials-based components and devices.

Does EPMD support modeling, simulation, and device/circuit design tools?

Yes. Device/circuit simulation and modeling are specifically listed under the microwave/mm-wave/THz devices and circuits topic cluster.

Is measurement science or metrology part of the program?

Yes. The program description emphasizes enabling tools and measurement science, including nanoscale-precision manipulation and measurement and new approaches to extreme ultraviolet (EUV) metrology for advanced manufacturing and fundamental device characterization.

What are the main topic clusters called out in the opportunity description?

The description groups areas of interest into clusters including: (1) optoelectronics; (2) microwave/mm-wave/THz devices and circuits; (3) flexible and printed electronics; and (4) bioelectronics, quantum devices, and magnetics (including Beyond Moore's Law topics).

Does the program mention quantum devices?

Yes. Bioelectronics, quantum devices, and magnetics are listed as a topic cluster aligned with leadership areas of interest.

Are power electronics or mixed-signal electronics relevant to EPMD?

Yes. Mixed-signal and power electronics are explicitly mentioned among the highlighted areas.

Does EPMD encourage collaborative or multidisciplinary proposals?

Yes. Collaboration and multidisciplinary integration are described as notable themes. The program indicates proposals may involve collaborative research to cover the breadth of expertise required for complex device challenges.

Are small team proposals mentioned, and what size is considered?

Yes. NSF notes it may support a limited number of small team proposals involving three or more investigators spanning different disciplines and/or universities.

Does EPMD encourage partnerships with industry?

Yes. The program encourages cooperative efforts with the semiconductor industry, particularly around nanoelectronics concepts beyond traditional silicon scaling limits, while still prioritizing foundational advances.

What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a grant, and it is listed as discretionary research and development funding.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is open to any type of entity, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the program text.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated in the provided opportunity description.

What are the proposal submission windows and deadlines mentioned?

The source reflects recurring annual submission windows for full proposals: September 7 to October 7, and January 7 to February 7, due by 5 pm local time. An annual supplement deadline for REU/RET supplements is listed as April 1.

What time are proposals due on the deadline date?

The description states proposals are due by 5 pm local time.

Are REU/RET supplements mentioned, and when are they due?

Yes. The description lists an annual supplement deadline for REU/RET supplements on April 1.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number referenced in the description?

The description references Funding Opportunity Number PD 10-1517 and notes it was posted on November 3, 2010.

Is the posted information current?

The notice indicates the posting reflects an older program description and directs applicants to the NSF program description link for complete and current details.

Where should applicants look for complete and up-to-date requirements?

Applicants are directed to the NSF program description link for the complete and current details, including any additional eligibility clarifications and submission requirements.

Where can applicants get help with access or submission?

The notice references NSF/grants.gov assistance contacts for access and submission support.