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NSF Nanomanufacturing (PD 16-1788) Grant Opportunity FAQs

What is the NSF Nanomanufacturing grant opportunity (PD 16-1788)?

It is an NSF grant opportunity that supports fundamental research in nanomanufacturing: the science and process know-how needed to make nano-scale materials, structures, devices, and systems in ways that can realistically be manufactured at scale, with practical attention to cost and production constraints.

What is the main goal of this program?

The main goal is to advance the underlying manufacturing science required to reliably produce complex nanosystems, not just to invent a new nanomaterial. Successful projects are expected to connect fundamental mechanisms to practical process parameters and production-relevant outcomes.

How does this program define “nanomanufacturing” in practice?

Nanomanufacturing here emphasizes scalable and reliable production approaches for nano-enabled outputs. The manufacturing lens is explicit: proposals are expected to address quality, efficiency, scalability, reliability, safety, and affordability, including how variability and risk will be managed during production.

What kinds of research activities are encouraged?

The program encourages research on novel nanomanufacturing methods and techniques for both batch and continuous processing, using top-down approaches (addition/subtraction shaping/building) and bottom-up approaches (such as directed self-assembly). It also encourages system-level integration research that links materials, processes, and final performance.

Does the program focus more on materials discovery or on manufacturing processes?

The emphasis is on manufacturing processes and manufacturing science, including process design principles and the process know-how needed to produce nanosystems consistently. Materials discovery and new architectures are relevant when they are tied to manufacturable processes and scalable integration.

What is meant by “complex, heterogeneous nanosystems” in this opportunity?

The opportunity highlights the creation and integration of complex nanosystems that may combine different materials, layers, and functions. A key theme is understanding how to integrate nano-scale features across multiple length scales, from nanostructures up to device- and system-level functionality.

What length scales are expected to be addressed?

The scope explicitly includes integration across multiple length scales, ranging from nano features to device-level and system-level performance.

Are both batch and continuous manufacturing approaches in scope?

Yes. The program specifically calls for advances in nanomanufacturing methods for both batch and continuous processing.

What is the difference between “top-down” and “bottom-up” approaches in this program?

Top-down approaches are described as building or shaping through addition and subtraction. Bottom-up approaches include methods such as directed self-assembly. Both are within scope when they contribute to realistic, scalable nanomanufacturing.

What manufacturing concerns should proposals address?

Proposals should address manufacturing-relevant concerns such as quality, efficiency, scalability, reliability, safety, and affordability. The posting emphasizes explaining how and why a process will produce consistent results, how it can be scaled or run continuously, and how variability and risks will be managed.

What role do computation, modeling, and simulation play in this program?

A strong theme is process and production systems grounded in computation, modeling, and simulation, paired with manufacturing-relevant tools for metrology, sensing, monitoring, and control.

Is real-time measurement and process control important for this opportunity?

Yes. The program encourages applicants to think like manufacturing engineers as well as scientists, including how the process will be measured in real time, how deviations will be detected, and what control strategies will keep outputs within specifications.

What types of tools and methods are highlighted as “manufacturing-relevant”?

The opportunity specifically references process metrology, sensing, monitoring, and control as manufacturing-relevant tools to pair with modeling and simulation.

What “transformative directions” are mentioned as examples?

Examples listed include micro-reactor and microfluidics-enabled nanosynthesis, bio-inspired nanomanufacturing, manufacturing by nanomachines, additive nanomanufacturing, hierarchical assembly of nanostructures, and continuous high-rate nanofabrication.

What manufacturing formats or platforms are of particular interest?

The program mentions interest in roll-to-roll processing, massively parallel large-area processing, and modular manufacturing platforms designed to produce and integrate nanosystems.

Does the program encourage “manufacturing by design”?

Yes. The posting encourages work enabling manufacturing “by design” of nanomaterials, including three-dimensional nanostructures, multilayer nanodevices, and multimaterial, multifunctional nanosystems.

Are dynamic nanosystems part of the scope?

Yes. The opportunity highlights dynamic nanosystems such as nanomotors, nanorobots, and nanomachines, along with enabling advances in nano-scale transport and diffusion mechanisms that could unlock new manufacturing routes or improve throughput and uniformity.

How does the program connect fundamental science to manufacturing outcomes?

The program values research that connects fundamental nano-scale mechanisms to measurable process parameters and to outcomes that matter for production, including consistent quality and performance of the resulting nanomaterial, nanostructure, nanodevice, or nanosystem.

Does the opportunity consider environmental, health, and societal implications?

Yes. The posting expresses interest in understanding long-term environmental, health, and societal (EHS) implications tied to large-scale production and use of nano-scale materials and devices, indicating that responsible scale-up and broader impacts are important alongside scientific novelty.

Is education and workforce development part of the program’s priorities?

Yes. The program places value on education and workforce development to train the next generation of researchers in nanomanufacturing systems.

Are collaborations encouraged, and with whom?

Yes. Individual and small group proposals are encouraged to partner with industry and government-sponsored laboratories.

What is the NSF GOALI mechanism mentioned in the posting?

The posting points applicants to the NSF GOALI mechanism as a way to support formal industry collaboration.

How is this program connected to the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI)?

The program is positioned as part of NSF’s fundamental research contribution to the NNI Signature Initiative on Sustainable Nanomanufacturing.

What kinds of projects are explicitly not supported?

The opportunity states it does not support projects focused mainly on synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials and nanostructures. It also does not support processing, compounding, and manufacture of nanomaterials and nanostructures in bulk quantities. Proposals centered on those areas are expected to be routed to other NSF programs.

Can a project focused primarily on bulk manufacture of nanomaterials be a good fit?

No. The posting explicitly excludes projects focused on bulk processing, compounding, and manufacture of nanomaterials and nanostructures.

Can a project focused mainly on synthesis and characterization be a good fit?

No. The posting explicitly states that projects focused mainly on synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials and nanostructures are not supported under this opportunity.

What agency is offering this funding opportunity?

The agency is the National Science Foundation (NSF).

What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument listed is a grant.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as “unrestricted,” subject to any additional eligibility text in the posting.

What CFDA number(s) are associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 47.041.

What is the award ceiling listed in the posting?

The listed award ceiling is $300,000.

What were the closing dates shown for this opportunity?

The posting lists an original closing date of February 16, 2016, and the current closing date is also shown as February 16, 2016.

When was the opportunity created and posted?

The opportunity was created and posted on October 24, 2015.

Is there any information for people who want to serve as NSF reviewers?

Yes. Administrative notes indicate that researchers interested in serving on a review panel can contact the Program Director with a brief bio and areas of expertise.

Are REU/RET supplements mentioned, and is there a due date?

Yes. The posting mentions REU/RET supplement requests and states they are due by March 31 each year.