Opportunity Information: Apply for PD 15 7644
Apply for PD 15 7644
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Energy for Sustainability" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041 Engineering Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 24, 2015 and posted on Jul 24, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 20, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $13,093,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Energy for Sustainability program (Funding Opportunity Number PD 15-7644) funds fundamental engineering research aimed at enabling new and improved ways to produce electricity and fuels sustainably. The core expectation is that proposed energy-production processes are environmentally benign, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and rely on renewable resources. The program is positioned as basic, engineering-science-driven research rather than incremental development, and proposals are expected to clearly explain what is genuinely new (or potentially transformative) compared to prior work, why it matters for engineering science, and what the broader societal or industrial impact could be if the research succeeds.
Within that broad goal, NSF highlights several current topic areas. One major area is biomass conversion, biofuels, and bioenergy, with a strong emphasis on process intensification and innovative conversion routes. Example topics include biological, thermochemical, and thermocatalytic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to advanced biofuels beyond cellulosic ethanol; microbial fuel cells that directly generate electricity from renewable carbon sources; microbial hydrogen production using autotrophic or heterotrophic organisms; and production of hydrocarbons and lipids using phototrophic or heterotrophic microorganisms. The announcement also clarifies where certain biomass-related work may fit better: proposals focused mainly on chemical reactor analysis for biomass conversion are directed to the Process Systems, Reaction Engineering and Molecular Thermodynamics program (CBET 1403); biomass combustion proposals belong in Combustion and Fire Systems (CBET 1407); and proposals centered on fundamental catalysis or biocatalysis should go to Catalysis and Biocatalysis (CBET 1401).
A second emphasis area is photovoltaic (PV) solar energy, specifically fundamental research on innovative fabrication approaches and theory-based characterization of next-generation PV devices. The program is interested in nano-enabled PV concepts using nanostructured semiconductors, plasmonic materials, photonic structures, and conducting polymers, as well as PV devices based on earth-abundant and environmentally benign materials. It also includes photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical processes that use sunlight to split water into hydrogen gas or to reduce CO2 into liquid or gaseous fuels. As with biomass, the program draws boundaries: proposals primarily about photocatalysis fundamentals should be submitted to Catalysis and Biocatalysis (CBET 1401), and solar thermal (generating thermal energy from solar radiation) is not supported here, though it may be appropriate for Thermal Transport Processes (CBET 1406).
A third key area is advanced batteries for transportation and renewable energy storage. The focus is on high energy density and high power density systems suitable for vehicles and grid-related storage tied to renewables, with interest in radically new battery chemistries or major breakthroughs in promising systems. Examples explicitly named include lithium-air, sodium-ion, and lithium-ion electrochemical energy storage. The program excludes work on commercially mature systems like lead-acid and nickel-metal hydride batteries. It also notes that fuel-cell proposals should be routed to other relevant CBET programs depending on the technical emphasis (for example, electrocatalysis to CBET 1401, membranes to Chemical and Biological Separations CBET 1417, and systems-level work to CBET 1403).
The announcement also makes a programmatic change regarding wind and related areas: this program no longer supports wind, wave, tidal, or hydrokinetic energy research. Investigators interested in those topics are encouraged to contact the program director to identify a more appropriate NSF home for submission.
Administratively, the opportunity is a discretionary NSF grant program in the Engineering Grants CFDA area (47.041) with no cost-sharing requirement and open eligibility (unrestricted, subject to any specific clarifications in the full text). Unsolicited awards are typically three years in duration, with a typical award size of about $100,000 per year (roughly $300,000 total), and requests substantially above that level are discouraged without prior discussion with the program director; otherwise, proposals may be returned without review. The archived solicitation information lists an estimated total funding amount of $13,093,000 and an award floor of $300,000 for the posted cycle (original closing date October 20, 2015; archive date November 19, 2016). The program also signals openness to innovative proposals outside the listed topic areas, but strongly recommends contacting the program director in advance to avoid a proposal being returned without review or transferred elsewhere.
Finally, the solicitation reminds applicants of common NSF/CBET expectations and mechanisms. CAREER proposals are strongly encouraged (with a typical five-year duration and an annual Engineering CAREER deadline in July). The program may also consider RAPID and EAGER proposals when appropriate, but those require prior discussion with the program director. Conference, workshop, and supplement requests should similarly be discussed in advance. GOALI proposals that link fundamental research with translational outcomes and industry collaboration are encouraged, but must be submitted during the annual unsolicited proposal window. Across all submission types, compliance with the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) is mandatory; noncompliant proposals, or unsolicited proposals submitted outside the announced window dates, are returned without review.
NSF Energy for Sustainability (PD 15-7644) FAQ
What is the NSF Energy for Sustainability program (PD 15-7644)?
The NSF Energy for Sustainability program funds fundamental engineering research aimed at enabling new and improved ways to produce electricity and fuels sustainably. The program is positioned as basic, engineering-science-driven research rather than incremental development.
What is the core expectation for projects funded under this program?
The core expectation is that proposed energy-production processes are environmentally benign, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and rely on renewable resources.
Is this program focused on basic research or applied development?
This program emphasizes fundamental research in engineering science. Proposals are expected to go beyond incremental development and clearly articulate what is genuinely new or potentially transformative compared to prior work.
What do proposals need to explain to be competitive?
Proposals are expected to clearly explain: (1) what is genuinely new (or potentially transformative) compared to prior work, (2) why the work matters for engineering science, and (3) what broader societal or industrial impact could result if the research succeeds.
What topic areas does the program highlight?
NSF highlights three main emphasis areas: (1) biomass conversion, biofuels, and bioenergy; (2) photovoltaic (PV) solar energy; and (3) advanced batteries for transportation and renewable energy storage. The program also notes it is open to innovative proposals outside these listed areas, with strong encouragement to contact the program director in advance.
What kinds of biomass and bioenergy research are of interest?
The program emphasizes biomass conversion, biofuels, and bioenergy with a strong focus on process intensification and innovative conversion routes. Example topics include biological, thermochemical, and thermocatalytic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to advanced biofuels beyond cellulosic ethanol; microbial fuel cells that directly generate electricity from renewable carbon sources; microbial hydrogen production using autotrophic or heterotrophic organisms; and production of hydrocarbons and lipids using phototrophic or heterotrophic microorganisms.
Where should biomass proposals focused mainly on chemical reactor analysis be submitted instead?
Proposals focused mainly on chemical reactor analysis for biomass conversion are directed to the Process Systems, Reaction Engineering and Molecular Thermodynamics program (CBET 1403).
Where should biomass combustion proposals be submitted?
Biomass combustion proposals belong in Combustion and Fire Systems (CBET 1407).
Where should proposals centered on fundamental catalysis or biocatalysis be submitted?
Proposals centered on fundamental catalysis or biocatalysis should be submitted to Catalysis and Biocatalysis (CBET 1401).
What photovoltaic (PV) solar energy research is supported?
The program supports fundamental research on innovative fabrication approaches and theory-based characterization of next-generation PV devices. Topics of interest include nano-enabled PV concepts using nanostructured semiconductors, plasmonic materials, photonic structures, and conducting polymers, as well as PV devices based on earth-abundant and environmentally benign materials.
Does the program support solar-driven fuel production (water splitting or CO2 reduction)?
Yes. The program includes photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical processes that use sunlight to split water into hydrogen gas or to reduce CO2 into liquid or gaseous fuels.
If a proposal is primarily about photocatalysis fundamentals, where should it go?
Proposals primarily about photocatalysis fundamentals should be submitted to Catalysis and Biocatalysis (CBET 1401).
Is solar thermal research supported under this program?
No. Solar thermal (generating thermal energy from solar radiation) is not supported under this program. The solicitation notes it may be appropriate for Thermal Transport Processes (CBET 1406).
What battery research is supported?
The program supports advanced batteries for transportation and renewable energy storage, with a focus on high energy density and high power density systems suitable for vehicles and grid-related storage tied to renewables. It emphasizes radically new battery chemistries or major breakthroughs in promising systems.
What battery chemistries are explicitly mentioned as examples?
Examples explicitly named include lithium-air, sodium-ion, and lithium-ion electrochemical energy storage.
Are commercially mature battery systems supported (like lead-acid or nickel-metal hydride)?
No. The program excludes work on commercially mature systems such as lead-acid and nickel-metal hydride batteries.
Does the program support fuel cell proposals?
Fuel-cell proposals are not positioned within this program; the solicitation indicates they should be routed to other relevant CBET programs depending on the technical emphasis.
Where should fuel-cell proposals be submitted within CBET?
The solicitation gives examples of routing based on emphasis: electrocatalysis topics to Catalysis and Biocatalysis (CBET 1401), membranes to Chemical and Biological Separations (CBET 1417), and systems-level work to Process Systems, Reaction Engineering and Molecular Thermodynamics (CBET 1403).
Does this program fund wind, wave, tidal, or hydrokinetic energy research?
No. The program states it no longer supports wind, wave, tidal, or hydrokinetic energy research. Investigators are encouraged to contact the program director to identify a more appropriate NSF program for those topics.
What is the CFDA number and what does it indicate?
The opportunity is listed in the Engineering Grants CFDA area (47.041).
Is cost sharing required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost-sharing requirement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as open (unrestricted), subject to any specific clarifications in the full solicitation text.
How long are typical awards, and what is the typical award size?
Unsolicited awards are typically three years in duration. A typical award size is about $100,000 per year (roughly $300,000 total).
Can I request a budget substantially above the typical level?
Requests substantially above about $100,000 per year are discouraged without prior discussion with the program director. Otherwise, the solicitation indicates proposals may be returned without review.
What happens if I submit a proposal that is out of scope or mismatched to this program?
The solicitation emphasizes clear boundaries for certain topics (for example, catalysis fundamentals, solar thermal, biomass combustion, and wind-related research). It strongly recommends contacting the program director in advance to avoid a proposal being returned without review or transferred to a different program.
Is the program open to topics not explicitly listed?
Yes. The program signals openness to innovative proposals outside the listed topic areas, but strongly recommends contacting the program director in advance to reduce the risk of return without review or transfer.
What is the estimated total funding amount listed in the archived solicitation?
The archived solicitation information lists an estimated total funding amount of $13,093,000 for the posted cycle.
What is the award floor mentioned for the posted cycle?
The archived solicitation lists an award floor of $300,000 for the posted cycle.
What were the original closing date and archive date shown in the posted information?
The posted cycle lists an original closing date of October 20, 2015, and an archive date of November 19, 2016.
Are NSF CAREER proposals encouraged under this program?
Yes. CAREER proposals are strongly encouraged. The solicitation notes CAREER awards typically have a five-year duration and references an annual Engineering CAREER deadline in July.
Does the program consider RAPID or EAGER proposals?
Yes, the program may consider RAPID and EAGER proposals when appropriate, but they require prior discussion with the program director.
Can conference, workshop, or supplement requests be submitted under this opportunity?
The solicitation indicates conference, workshop, and supplement requests should be discussed in advance with the program director.
Are GOALI proposals encouraged?
Yes. GOALI proposals that link fundamental research with translational outcomes and industry collaboration are encouraged, but must be submitted during the annual unsolicited proposal window.
What are the compliance requirements for submission?
Compliance with the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) is mandatory. The solicitation states that noncompliant proposals, or unsolicited proposals submitted outside the announced window dates, are returned without review.
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