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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF Manufacturing Machines and Equipment (MME) Program (PD 16-1468)

1) What is the NSF Manufacturing Machines and Equipment (MME) program?

The NSF Manufacturing Machines and Equipment (MME) program supports fundamental, hypothesis-driven research that creates new or significantly improved manufacturing machines and equipment, or improves how existing manufacturing equipment is used. The emphasis is on advancing underlying scientific and engineering knowledge, not on routine engineering development or building near-market prototypes.

2) What is the main focus of the research this program funds?

The program focuses on research connected to manufacturing needs for mechanical and electromechanical devices, products, and systems. Projects should be framed as research with a clear objective and a coherent plan to achieve measurable advances in understanding and capability.

3) What physical scales and application ranges does MME cover?

MME spans a broad range of physical scales, from microns up to meters. This means it can cover precision micro-scale fabrication through large-scale industrial production, as long as the core emphasis is on fundamental research.

4) Does MME fund prototype building or routine engineering development?

The program description emphasizes advancing fundamental scientific and engineering knowledge rather than building a near-market prototype or conducting routine engineering development. Proposals are expected to be research-driven and hypothesis-based.

5) What manufacturing operations and process families are appropriate for MME proposals?

The program welcomes proposals across many manufacturing operations and process families, including:

• Subtractive manufacturing (e.g., machining and related material removal processes)
• Additive manufacturing
• Forming processes
• Bonding and joining methods (including welding and other joining approaches)
• Laser-based processing

6) Is there special interest in any particular manufacturing area?

Yes. The solicitation highlights particular interest in research connected to manufacturing equipment and facilities that enable the production of energy products. Proposals tied to energy-related manufacturing infrastructure, tooling, or production systems may be especially responsive when they also make a strong fundamental research contribution.

7) Where should nanomanufacturing-focused proposals be submitted?

Work focused on nanomanufacturing is directed to the CMMI NanoManufacturing program rather than the MME program.

8) Where should proposals focused on manufacturing integrated circuits (ICs) or electronic devices be submitted?

Proposals focused on manufacturing electronic devices such as integrated circuit (IC) products should be routed to the NSF ECCS Division rather than MME.

9) What makes an MME proposal competitive, based on the solicitation description?

A competitive MME proposal is expected to include:

• A clear research objective (explicitly not a development-only objective)
• A coherent, well-justified plan to achieve that objective
• A hypothesis-driven approach that pushes the frontiers of knowledge in manufacturing machines and equipment

10) Are experimental and theoretical approaches both allowed?

Yes. The program supports both experimental and theoretical approaches. Proposals may involve physical experimentation, modeling and simulation, analytical theory, or combined approaches, as long as the work is structured as research with measurable advances.

11) What are the Broader Impacts requirements for MME proposals?

Each proposal must include a distinct section labeled "Broader Impacts of the Proposed Work." This section should explain how the project will benefit society beyond the immediate technical outcomes, connected credibly to the work plan.

12) What kinds of activities can be included under Broader Impacts (as described here)?

The solicitation description indicates broader impacts can include workforce development, educational integration, broadening participation, dissemination of knowledge, and potential economic or environmental benefits, among other public-facing outcomes, as long as they are tied to the proposed activities.

13) What proposal rules and formatting guidance apply?

Proposals submitted to MME must comply with the most current NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG). Applicants are expected to follow the latest submission and formatting rules, since NSF updates requirements periodically.

14) What type of funding mechanism is this opportunity?

The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category.

15) What CFDA number is associated with this program, based on the provided details?

The provided information lists CFDA number 47.041.

16) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any specific clarifications that may appear in NSF guidance.

17) What is the funding opportunity number and program identifier?

The funding opportunity is identified as PD 16-1468 for the NSF Manufacturing Machines and Equipment (MME) program.

18) What is the maximum award amount mentioned for this opportunity?

The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $300,000.

19) How many awards are expected?

The number of expected awards is not specified in the provided information.

20) What are the posting and closing dates mentioned for the referenced cycle?

The posting and creation dates are October 22, 2015, and the listed closing date for the referenced cycle is February 16, 2016.

21) How can an investigator volunteer to serve on an NSF proposal review panel for this program?

Investigators who want to serve on an NSF proposal review panel are invited to email the Program Director with a brief biographical sketch, areas of expertise, and a link to a homepage.

22) What are REU/RET supplements, and when are requests due?

The solicitation notes that requests for REU/RET supplements (supporting Research Experiences for Undergraduates and Research Experiences for Teachers) are indicated as due by March 31 each year. This can be helpful for teams planning education and workforce components alongside an existing or forthcoming award.

23) What kinds of manufacturing products are most aligned with MME (based on the boundaries described)?

Based on the stated boundaries, MME is primarily positioned for manufacturing research related to mechanical and electromechanical products, rather than nanomanufacturing (directed elsewhere) or electronic/IC device manufacturing (directed to NSF ECCS).

24) Can a proposal focus on improving how existing equipment is used, rather than inventing entirely new equipment?

Yes. The program explicitly includes improving how existing manufacturing machines and equipment are used, provided the work is still fundamental, hypothesis-driven research that advances knowledge.

25) What does the program mean by "hypothesis-driven" research in this context?

The provided description indicates that projects should be structured around a clear research objective and a plan designed to test ideas and produce measurable advances in understanding and capability, rather than simply implementing a development task.