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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NSF Interfacial Processes and Thermodynamics (IPT) Program (PD 12-1414)

1. What is the NSF Interfacial Processes and Thermodynamics (IPT) program?

The Interfacial Processes and Thermodynamics (IPT) program is a National Science Foundation (NSF) program that supports fundamental engineering research on how molecules, fluids, and complex materials behave at interfaces and in confined or nanoscale environments. The program emphasizes molecular-level understanding of surfaces, boundaries, membranes, and multiphase regions where intermolecular forces and molecular organization strongly influence measurable properties and performance.

2. What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed is PD 12-1414.

3. What technical areas does IPT focus on?

The program’s core technical themes span interfacial phenomena, mass transport, and molecular thermodynamics. A strong current emphasis is molecular-level engineering of interfaces for nanoprocessing, especially involving soft materials. The program also supports work that connects molecular-scale structure and interactions to engineering properties such as interfacial tension, adsorption, wetting, diffusion, permeability, rheology near interfaces, and coupled transport in heterogeneous or multiphase systems.

4. Why are interfaces and confined environments central to this program?

IPT is built around the idea that many next-generation technologies are controlled by what happens at surfaces, boundaries, membranes, and multiphase regions. In these locations, molecular organization and intermolecular forces can dominate behavior in ways that are not predicted by bulk-material assumptions.

5. What kinds of materials and systems are highlighted?

The program highlights complex molecular systems, including frequent relevance to polymers, surfactants, and specialized biomolecules. It also emphasizes interfaces in membranes, two-phase mixtures, and nano-confined regions, as well as self-directed assembly and templating approaches where thermodynamic intermolecular forces drive structure and transport.

6. What does the program mean by molecular-level engineering of interfaces?

It refers to designing and understanding molecules that reside at interfaces and provide specific functional properties. This includes interfacial molecules with biomolecular or bio-inspired functions operating at micro- and nanoscales, and surface functionalization approaches that influence interfacial structure, transport, and resulting engineering properties.

7. Does IPT support research involving self-assembly or templating?

Yes. The program highlights systems formed through self-directed assembly, templating, and other assembly-driven routes. Thermodynamic intermolecular forces are described as primary drivers, while flow fields and electrical forces may also influence structure and transport.

8. Are chemical reactions within scope for IPT?

In some settings, weak chemical reactions may play a supporting role in interfacial formation or transformation. However, the emphasis remains on fundamental transport and thermodynamic principles and on molecular-level mechanisms.

9. Does the program support theory and computational work?

Yes. IPT supports theory development and advanced simulations for complex molecular systems, particularly when paired with experimental comparisons. This includes new theoretical and computational approaches to predict transport and thermodynamic properties of fluids and mixtures containing complex molecules, both in the bulk and at interfaces.

10. What types of measurable properties are relevant to IPT proposals?

Examples mentioned include interfacial tension, adsorption, wetting, diffusion, permeability, rheology near interfaces, and coupled transport in heterogeneous or multiphase systems. The common thread is linking molecular-scale interactions and structure to measurable engineering properties.

11. What broader impacts or outcomes does IPT aim to enable?

The program frames its supported fundamental research as enabling three broad practical impacts: (1) more economical and environmentally benign processing methods, (2) improved water quality and related separation or remediation capabilities, and (3) creation of novel functional materials, including sensor and biosensing materials, for industrial, environmental, and biomedical applications.

12. How does nanotechnology relate to the IPT program?

Nanotechnology is described as a cross-cutting driver across the program’s impact areas, because nanoscale fabrication and nano-enabled materials often rely on controlled interfacial structure and interfacial transport.

13. Does IPT encourage collaboration across NSF programs?

Yes. The program is explicitly collaborative within NSF, and projects are often coordinated or jointly supported alongside other programs inside and outside the CBET Division.

14. Does the program encourage industry-university collaboration?

Yes. The opportunity encourages industry-university collaboration through GOALI, and it also encourages undergraduate participation and international partnerships.

15. Is biosensing specifically mentioned as an area of interest?

Yes. IPT highlights an intersection with biosensing and expresses interest in materials and molecular-level surface functionalization approaches that contribute to new biosensing systems and technologies, sometimes through joint support with relevant biosensing programs.

16. What is the typical award duration for unsolicited proposals?

Unsolicited awards are typically funded for one to three years.

17. What is the typical annual award size for unsolicited awards?

The average annual award size is around $90,000.

18. What happens if a proposal requests substantially more than the typical award size?

Proposals requesting substantially more than the average are expected to involve prior discussion with the Program Director; otherwise, they may be returned without review.

19. Does IPT consider small equipment proposals?

Yes. The program will consider small equipment proposals up to $70,000, submitted during the annual submission window.

20. Can proposals outside the listed topics still be considered?

Yes. The description notes that innovative proposals outside the listed topics can be considered. However, applicants are encouraged to contact the Program Director before submitting to reduce the risk of being deemed out of scope.

21. What does IPT expect regarding novelty or transformative potential?

Like most CBET programs, IPT expects proposals to clearly articulate what is novel or potentially transformative relative to prior work. It also expects a concise statement of that novelty in the Project Summary.

22. What else should proposals explain besides technical details?

Proposals should explain why the work matters for engineering science and what successful results could mean for society and/or industry.

23. Are NSF funding decisions based only on reviewer scores?

No. NSF notes that funding decisions incorporate more than reviewer scores alone, including portfolio balance across subfields, availability of other funding sources, total program funds, and broader NSF policies and priorities.

24. Are CAREER proposals encouraged under IPT?

Yes. CAREER proposals are strongly encouraged. The description notes a typical five-year duration and a July deadline for Engineering CAREER submissions.

25. Does the program consider conference or workshop proposals?

Yes. The program also considers conference and workshop proposals.

26. Are RAPID or EAGER proposals allowed?

Yes, when appropriate. The program indicates that RAPID and EAGER mechanisms may be used, with the expectation that RAPID/EAGER submissions be discussed with the Program Director in advance.

27. What happens if a proposal is submitted outside the submission window?

Submissions outside the stated window are returned without review.

28. What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The posting lists CFDA 47.041 (Engineering Grants).

29. Is cost sharing required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing requirement.

30. Who is eligible to apply?

The posting describes eligibility as broadly unrestricted, subject to any eligibility clarifications in the full solicitation.

31. How many awards did NSF anticipate making and what was the total funding amount?

NSF anticipated about 67 awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $7.4 million.

32. What award floor is listed for this posting?

The award floor listed is $240,000.

33. When was this opportunity posted and created?

The posted date and creation date are both listed as June 8, 2011.

34. What was the submission window and deadline time?

The submission window ran from August 15, 2011 to September 15, 2011, with proposals due by 5 p.m. local time. The closing date shown is September 15, 2011.

35. Why should applicants contact the Program Director before submitting?

The description repeatedly signals that pre-submission communication can reduce risk. It is specifically recommended for proposals that may be out of scope, for requests substantially above the typical award size, and for RAPID/EAGER submissions.