Materials Research Science and Engineering Center | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) funding opportunity titled "Materials Research Science and Engineering Center" (MRSEC), Funding Opportunity Number 16-545, supports the creation and operation of campus-based research centers focused on high-impact, interdisciplinary materials research and related education. The central idea behind MRSECs is to provide sustained, long-term support for research efforts that are too broad, complex, or collaborative to be effectively carried out by a single investigator or a small, loosely connected set of projects. Instead, the program is built around coordinated teams that can tackle fundamental problems in science and engineering through shared goals, shared facilities, and strong cross-disciplinary integration.

A key feature of the MRSEC model is scale and synergy. NSF is looking for research programs where the whole is meaningfully greater than the sum of its parts, meaning the center structure should enable advances that would be difficult to achieve through separate, independent grants. These centers are meant to bring together researchers across fields such as physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, and other relevant disciplines, with the expectation that real collaboration, not just parallel work, drives the research forward. The program emphasizes research of the highest quality, with an explicit focus on fundamental questions in materials-related science and engineering rather than purely applied development, even though the outcomes can naturally influence technology and industry over time.

Beyond research, MRSECs are also designed to strengthen materials research infrastructure in the United States. This includes support for shared instrumentation, facilities, and other research resources that can serve a broader community of users. By concentrating resources and expertise, these centers help universities maintain advanced capabilities that are often too expensive or specialized for individual labs to sustain on their own. The infrastructure component is not just about buying equipment; it is also about creating an environment where researchers and students can access tools, training, and technical support in a way that accelerates discovery and improves reproducibility and quality.

Collaboration is another major goal of the program. MRSECs are expected to promote active partnerships between universities and other sectors, including industry, and may also involve international collaboration where appropriate. These connections are intended to strengthen the relevance, perspective, and potential impact of the research, while also creating pathways for knowledge exchange, workforce development, and broader engagement with the materials community. The opportunity also contributes to a national network of university-based centers, which helps align capabilities across institutions and encourages cross-center interactions in research, education, and facility use.

Structurally, an MRSEC can be hosted at a single institution or organized as a partnership among multiple institutions. This flexibility allows proposals to reflect regional strengths, complementary expertise, and shared facility models. The common expectation is that the center concept, whether single-campus or multi-institutional, provides a coherent framework for interdisciplinary research and education that is ambitious and integrated.

In terms of administrative details from the source data, this is a discretionary NSF grant opportunity under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category, associated with CFDA number 47.049. The agency planned an estimated eight awards under this solicitation. The original and current closing date listed is December 2, 2016, and the opportunity was created and posted on February 26, 2016. The eligibility field is noted as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," which indicates that eligibility may include specific categories not captured in the brief summary field and would normally require checking the full solicitation language for precise applicant requirements. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided source data.

Browse more business programs for Engineering Companies, Materials Research Organizations

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: NSF

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development

Next opportunity: W.E.B. DuBois Program of Research on Race and Crime

Previous opportunity: Native American Water Rights Settlement Database (NAWRS)

USGrants.org Applicant Portal:

Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.

Apply for 16 545

 

[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (16 545) also looked into and applied for these:

 

Grant application guides and resources

It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!

Apply for Grants

 

 

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers

Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.

If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.

Subscribe to Leads

 

Request more information:

Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "16 545", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:

Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.