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NanoManufacturing (NM) Grant (PD 10-1788) - FAQs

What is the NanoManufacturing (NM) grant opportunity (PD 10-1788)?

The NanoManufacturing (NM) grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PD 10-1788) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) program focused on advancing research and education related to manufacturing at the nanoscale, with a strong emphasis on moving nanoscience and nanotechnology results from laboratory demonstrations into real industrial use.

What is the main goal of this NSF NanoManufacturing program?

The core goal is to bridge the gap between promising nanotechnology demonstrations and scalable production. The program is looking for practical, manufacturable pathways that can reliably produce nano-enabled products at high rates and at acceptable cost, rather than one-off lab successes.

Is this program only about inventing new nanomaterials or nanoscale processes?

No. While nanoscale materials and processes may be part of a project, the program emphasis is on manufacturing: developing repeatable, scalable, reliable production approaches that can translate nanotechnology into manufacturable designs and products.

What does the opportunity mean by a "systems approach" to scaling up nanotechnology?

The program emphasizes end-to-end thinking about the full production system, not treating manufacturing as a single isolated step. Proposals are expected to consider the broader set of constraints and requirements that emerge when transitioning from controlled experiments to larger-scale production.

What manufacturing scale-up factors does the program expect proposals to address?

The opportunity specifically points to issues that become critical during scale-up, including throughput (high-rate production), reliability and robustness (consistent performance under real-world conditions), yield (percentage of product meeting specifications), and cost (economic feasibility and competitiveness).

What does "throughput" mean in the context of this program?

Throughput refers to producing at high rates, which becomes essential when moving from lab-scale work to manufacturing environments where output volume and production speed matter.

Why are reliability and robustness highlighted for nanomanufacturing?

Because a process that works in a carefully controlled lab setting may not consistently perform under real manufacturing conditions. The program stresses consistent performance and repeatability, which are necessary for industrial adoption.

What does "yield" mean here, and why does it matter?

Yield refers to the percentage of produced units that meet required specifications and are usable. Yield is a major driver of manufacturability and cost, especially when scaling up nano-enabled production.

How does the program treat cost considerations?

Cost is treated as a central manufacturability factor. The program aims for approaches that can reach acceptable cost levels for competitive and economically feasible production, not just technical feasibility.

What does "integration across scales" mean in this opportunity?

Integration across scales refers to incorporating nanostructures into functional micro devices and into meso- and macro-scale systems. The program is interested in how nanoscale features and materials are engineered to work as part of larger devices and systems.

What kinds of integration challenges are implied by the program description?

The description highlights typical challenges such as interfacing between different length scales, maintaining nanoscale performance during device fabrication, and ensuring nanoscale components remain stable and functional in operational environments over time.

Does the opportunity encourage considering environmental, health, and societal impacts?

Yes. The program emphasizes environmental, health, and societal dimensions of nanotechnology and nanomanufacturing. It encourages attention to impacts on workers, end users, and the environment, including safety, lifecycle impacts, and broader societal implications alongside technical progress.

What kinds of environmental or safety considerations are relevant based on the listing?

Based on the listing, relevant considerations may include evaluating or mitigating potential risks, reducing hazardous exposures, reducing waste, and lowering energy use, while still meeting performance and scale-up goals.

What type of grant is this opportunity categorized as?

It is categorized as a discretionary grant under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity area.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 47.041, identified as Engineering Grants.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to applicants, subject to any additional eligibility language in the full program text.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The listing indicates no cost sharing or matching requirement.

How much funding is available under this archived listing?

The archived listing shows an estimated total funding amount of $300,000.

What are the minimum and maximum award amounts shown?

The award ceiling is listed as $300,000 and the award floor is listed as $1.

When was PD 10-1788 posted?

The posting date is listed as August 20, 2010.

What were the closing dates mentioned for this opportunity?

The closing dates are noted on an annual cycle: September 1 and October 1; and January 15 and February 15, annually.

Is this opportunity still active?

No. The record indicates the opportunity was replaced by a newer announcement (replaced by 12-1788) and the listing was archived on December 9, 2011.

What should applicants do if they want the current version of the solicitation?

Applicants should follow the replacement notice (replaced by 12-1788) to locate the active solicitation and confirm updated deadlines, requirements, and contact points.

Where can applicants get help with technical access issues related to the announcement?

The listing references NSF Grants.gov support for technical access issues at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.