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FAQs: NSF Fluid Dynamics Program (PD 15-1443)

What is the NSF Fluid Dynamics program (PD 15-1443) focused on?

The NSF Fluid Dynamics program funds fundamental engineering research that explains how fluids move and interact, spanning scales from molecular-level behavior to full macroscopic flows. The central expectation is that proposals advance basic scientific understanding of fluid-flow mechanisms and phenomena, with long-term benefits for improved design, predictability, efficiency, and control of fluid-based systems.

Is this program mainly for basic research or applied technology development?

The emphasis is strongly on fundamentals (basic scientific understanding). At the same time, investigators are expected to describe a credible connection to future applications that could matter in society or technology.

Do proposals need to describe potential applications even if the work is fundamental?

Yes. Even though the program is strongly focused on fundamental fluid dynamics, proposals are expected to spell out a credible connection to future applications, especially those with potential societal or technological importance.

What kinds of application areas does NSF highlight as relevant to this program?

The opportunity highlights potential future relevance to areas such as manufacturing, energy and the environment, materials development, biotechnology, nanotechnology, sensing, clinical diagnostics, drug delivery, and the behavior of new or emerging fluid materials.

What technical topics are specifically encouraged under this program?

The program highlights multiple technical areas where proposals are particularly welcome, including bio-inspired fluid mechanics and biological flows; flow of complex fluids; micro- and nano-fluidics; turbulence and transition; interfacial interactions and instabilities; and instrumentation and flow diagnostics.

What counts as bio-inspired fluid mechanics or biological flows for this program?

Examples listed include biomimetics, intracellular flows, fluid-structure interaction in living or bio-inspired systems, hemodynamics, propulsion and locomotion (such as swimmers), insect flight and fin mechanics, biological flow processes, and flows in biomedical devices including drug-delivery contexts.

What is included in the program's "complex fluids" emphasis area?

The complex-fluids area includes non-Newtonian behavior, viscoelasticity, polymer solutions and melts, gelation, flow-induced microstructuring, DNA dynamics, and other behaviors of new fluid materials.

What is included in the micro- and nano-fluidics topic area?

This area includes micro- and nanoscale flow phenomena, biomedical microdevices, how nano-inclusions change rheology, molecular dynamics simulations relevant to fluid behavior, and optofluidics.

What turbulence and transition topics are relevant here?

The turbulence and transition area spans theory and experiments at high Reynolds numbers, large eddy simulation and direct numerical simulation, transition to turbulence, three-dimensional boundary layers, multiphase turbulent flows, and methods for flow control and drag reduction.

What does NSF mean by interfacial interactions and instabilities in this listing?

Examples provided include hydrodynamic stability, gas-liquid interfaces, splashing, jetting, droplet interactions, atomization, and wetting.

Are instrumentation and diagnostics projects eligible?

Yes. The program includes instrumentation and flow diagnostics, such as new instrument development, MEMS-based shear-stress sensors, and novel imaging, velocimetry, and measurement approaches.

Can wind energy, ocean energy, or environmental flows projects be submitted to this program?

They can fit the program only when the proposed work is primarily about fundamental fluid-dynamics phenomena or genuinely novel computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods. Projects mainly centered on building a specific device, demonstrating an application, or developing a particular material are not the intended focus.

How does NSF distinguish a good fit versus a poor fit for wind/ocean/environmental proposals?

Based on the listing, a good fit is one where the main contribution is new fundamental understanding of fluid dynamics or a genuinely novel CFD method. A poor fit is one focused mainly on a specific device build, an application demonstration, or development of a particular material.

What if my idea is innovative but not listed among the highlighted topics?

Innovative ideas outside the listed topics may still be considered, but the solicitation strongly recommends contacting the Program Director before submitting. Proposals that are misaligned with the program scope risk being returned without review.

Why is contacting the Program Director emphasized?

The listing notes that misaligned proposals risk being returned without review. Contacting the Program Director is strongly recommended, especially for ideas outside the listed topics, for RAPID/EAGER mechanisms, and for cases like substantially higher budgets.

How long are typical awards under this program?

Unsolicited awards are typically funded for one to three years.

What is the typical funding level for an unsolicited award?

The listing states a common funding level is around $100,000 per year.

What happens if I request a budget substantially higher than the typical level?

Requests substantially higher than the typical benchmark (around $100,000 per year) may be returned without review if they are not discussed in advance with the Program Director.

Are small equipment proposals allowed?

Yes. The program will consider small equipment proposals under $100,000, but they must be submitted during the annual proposal submission window.

What does NSF expect about novelty or being "transformative" in this program?

Across CBET programs, NSF expects proposals to clearly articulate what is novel and potentially transformative compared to prior work, why the work matters for engineering science, and what the likely downstream impact could be if the research succeeds. At minimum, the novelty or transformative element should appear in the Project Summary.

Which NSF proposal mechanisms are mentioned as relevant?

The announcement points to several mechanisms: CAREER proposals (encouraged for early-career faculty), conference/workshop/supplement proposals (encouraged to discuss with the Program Director), RAPID and EAGER (require prior discussion with the Program Director), and GOALI proposals (encouraged when aligned and submitted during the annual unsolicited proposal window).

What is the typical duration and timing mentioned for CAREER proposals?

CAREER proposals are described as typically five years in duration, with an annual Engineering CAREER deadline in July.

Do RAPID and EAGER submissions require any special step before submitting?

Yes. The listing states RAPID and EAGER mechanisms require prior discussion with the Program Director before submission.

What are GOALI proposals in the context of this program?

GOALI proposals are described as linking fundamental research with industry-relevant translational outcomes. They are encouraged when aligned with program interests and must be submitted during the annual unsolicited proposal window.

Is cost sharing required?

No. The opportunity states that no cost sharing is required.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered as a grant under CFDA 47.041 (Engineering).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, subject to any additional eligibility notes in the full announcement.

What are the key dates shown in the listing?

The posted date is July 24, 2015. The original and current closing date is October 20, 2015. The archive date is November 19, 2016.

What is the estimated total funding level shown for this listing?

The estimated total funding level shown is $9,175,000.

What is the award floor shown in the listing?

The award floor is shown as $270,000.

What compliance rules apply to submissions?

Strict compliance with the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) is required. The listing notes that noncompliant proposals, or proposals submitted outside the announced submission window, may be returned without review.

What are the most common reasons a proposal might be returned without review based on this listing?

Examples explicitly noted include: being misaligned with program scope; requesting a substantially higher budget than typical without prior discussion with the Program Director; failing to comply with NSF PAPPG requirements; and submitting outside the announced submission window.