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NSF Physics Frontiers Centers (PFC) Program FAQs

What is the NSF Physics Frontiers Centers (PFC) program?

The NSF Physics Frontiers Centers (PFC) program is a center-scale research opportunity designed to push the frontiers of physics through large, coordinated teams typically based at universities. Rather than funding a single investigator or a small collaboration, PFC awards support an institute or center structure where progress depends on the combined effort of many researchers working in a coordinated way.

What makes a PFC different from a typical NSF research grant?

PFC awards are intended for problems where a center-like approach is not just helpful, but truly necessary. NSF expects proposals to explain why transformational advances require concentrated expertise, complementary skills, cross-training, coordinated research planning, and often specialized infrastructure that individual labs generally cannot assemble on their own.

What kinds of research areas are supported under the PFC program?

The program supports research across major subfields within NSF's Division of Physics, including atomic, molecular, and optical physics; plasma physics; elementary particle physics; nuclear physics; astrophysics; gravitational physics; and biological physics.

Is interdisciplinary research allowed or encouraged?

Interdisciplinary work is welcome, especially projects at the interface between physics areas and other disciplines or physics subfields. However, NSF indicates that the main thrust of the work should still be primarily anchored within one of the Division of Physics areas, rather than being broadly diffuse.

How should a proposal handle interdisciplinary scope while staying competitive?

Based on NSF's framing, a strong interdisciplinary component can be a positive feature, but the proposal should still read like a physics-driven center with a clear disciplinary anchor within the Division of Physics.

What are the major expectations for a competitive PFC proposal?

A competitive PFC proposal is expected to address four major themes: (1) a credible path toward a profound advance in physics (not incremental progress), (2) creative and substantive plans for education, diversity, and public outreach treated as core center activities, (3) broader impacts such as influence on other fields, workforce training, enabling tools or methods, or societal benefits, and (4) a compelling "value added" case for why a center or institute structure is essential to achieving the goals.

What does NSF mean by a "profound advance" rather than incremental progress?

NSF signals that PFC projects should aim for transformational advances at the frontiers of physics. The expectation is that the research agenda is ambitious enough to justify center-scale coordination and resources, rather than a set of smaller, incremental steps that could be pursued effectively through typical single-investigator or small-team awards.

How important are education, diversity, and public outreach in the PFC program?

They are treated as core center activities. NSF expects substantive, creative plans for education, diversity, and public outreach that are integrated into the center mission, not added on as secondary components.

What types of broader impacts are relevant for PFC proposals?

Examples described include influencing other scientific fields, training the next-generation workforce, enabling new tools or methods, and producing benefits to society. Proposals are expected to show credible broader impacts alongside the frontier research goals.

What is meant by "synergy" or "value added" for operating as a center?

NSF expects a clear argument that the center structure itself is central to success. This includes showing that the team structure, shared infrastructure, coordinated research agenda, and community-building functions are essential to the anticipated breakthroughs and training outcomes.

What funding opportunity number is associated with this solicitation?

This opportunity was issued as NSF funding opportunity number 13-559.

What CFDA listing is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences CFDA listing 47.049.

What type of funding instrument does the PFC program use?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This generally indicates NSF anticipates a more active role in oversight and partnership than is typical for a standard grant, which aligns with the scale and complexity of center operations.

How much funding is available through this opportunity?

The estimated total funding associated with the opportunity is $10,000,000.

What is the award size range for individual PFC awards?

Individual awards range from $1,000,000 to $5,000,000.

How many awards did NSF anticipate making under this cycle?

NSF anticipated making about 7 awards.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated for this solicitation.

Was there a preliminary proposal required?

Yes. The process used a required preliminary proposal stage followed by an invited or full proposal stage.

When were preliminary proposals due for the cycle described?

Preliminary proposals were due August 5, 2013, by 5 p.m. local time of the proposer.

When were full proposals due for the cycle described?

Full proposals were due January 27, 2014.

When was the opportunity posted and when was it archived?

The opportunity was posted May 1, 2013, and later archived February 27, 2014.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described broadly as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)." The solicitation itself is identified as the authoritative source for detailed eligibility rules and any institutional requirements.

Where should applicants look for the definitive eligibility rules?

The solicitation is the authoritative source for detailed eligibility requirements and any institutional rules referenced under "Additional Information on Eligibility."

What is the overall purpose of the PFC program?

The PFC program is NSF's mechanism for building a small number of high-impact, university-based physics centers that can concentrate talent and resources on exceptionally ambitious scientific targets while serving as engines for student training, inclusive participation, and outward-facing engagement.

What kind of proposal narrative tends to fit the PFC model best?

Based on the description, proposals that do well typically make a tight, evidence-based case that the center structure is indispensable, that the science is genuinely frontier-level, and that education and outreach plans are integrated into the center mission rather than treated as secondary obligations.