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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF Process and Reaction Engineering (PD 13-1403)

What is the NSF Process and Reaction Engineering program (PD 13-1403)?

The NSF Process and Reaction Engineering program is a discretionary research grant opportunity within the Engineering Grants portfolio (CFDA 47.041). It supports research that advances chemical and biochemical reaction engineering, process design and control, and reactive polymer processing.

What kinds of research does this program fund?

The program funds both fundamental and applied research focused on improving how chemical and biochemical reactions and processes are designed, controlled, and operated. A central theme is using understanding of reaction rates, mechanisms, and transport interactions to improve catalysts, reactors, and full process systems, including work tied to specialized materials and commercially relevant electrochemical and photochemical technologies.

What are the main topic areas emphasized by the program?

The opportunity describes three main thrust areas: (1) chemical reaction engineering, (2) process design and control, and (3) reactive polymer processing.

What does the program mean by "chemical reaction engineering" in this context?

The program highlights research on how reaction kinetics and transport phenomena interact in real reactive systems, with the goal of translating mechanistic insight into improved reactor designs for complex chemical and biochemical transformations.

Are non-traditional reactor platforms explicitly encouraged?

Yes. The program explicitly highlights non-traditional reactor platforms such as membrane reactors, microreactors, and systems using supercritical fluids.

Are novel reaction activation methods within scope?

Yes. The program explicitly mentions interest in novel reaction activation approaches including plasmas, acoustics, and microwaves.

Does the program support "smart" or miniaturized system concepts?

Yes. The opportunity notes strong interest in multifunctional and miniaturized system concepts such as "smart" molecules, lab-on-a-chip, and factory-on-a-chip approaches.

Is bioreactor and bioprocess research a fit for this program?

Yes. The program includes bioreactor design, bioprocess optimization, and fermentation technology among the topics it welcomes.

Does the program support energy-related processing research?

Yes. The opportunity welcomes research that improves or enables energy generation from renewable resources and also supports advanced processing methods with strong industrial relevance.

Are there examples of industrially relevant processing methods mentioned?

Yes. The opportunity provides an example of atomic layer deposition methods for microelectronics as an advanced processing method with strong industrial relevance.

What does the "process design and control" thrust focus on?

This thrust emphasizes designing and optimizing complex chemical and biochemical processes, along with improving dynamic modeling and control at both the plant level and unit-operation level.

What are the high-priority themes in process design and control?

High-priority themes include simultaneous product and process design (including bioprocesses) and improving plant efficiency using algorithms that connect decisions across multiple design layers while considering multiple criteria such as profitability, safety, operability, environmental sustainability, and broader societal concerns.

Does the program encourage sensor development?

Yes. The program encourages new sensor development for measuring composition, product properties, morphology, and other difficult-to-observe process variables.

Are multi-scale or systems approaches encouraged?

Yes. Systems approaches that connect and optimize across multiple scales (from nano to mega) are specifically encouraged, including work that integrates planning and scheduling and recognizes the globalized nature of industrial operations.

Is advanced computing or cyberinfrastructure relevant to this program?

Yes. Use of advanced cyberinfrastructure, including tera- and peta-scale computing hardware, is explicitly encouraged when it enables better modeling, optimization, or control.

What is meant by "reactive polymer processing" under this program?

Reactive polymer processing in this program is focused on projects that tightly integrate polymer synthesis with processing steps that shape polymer structure and properties, such as orienting and annealing polymer melts and controlling long-range conformations.

Does the program fund all types of polymerization research?

The opportunity states that the program narrows its polymerization scope to work that tightly integrates polymer synthesis (the chemistry of forming polymer chains or complexes from monomers) with processing that controls structure and performance-related properties.

What are examples of reactive polymer processing areas mentioned?

Representative areas mentioned include emulsion and miniemulsion polymerization and reaction injection molding.

How important are environmental considerations in reactive polymer processing proposals?

The opportunity highlights a consistent theme of addressing environmental concerns while enabling tailored molecules and materials, signaling interest in cleaner chemistries, reduced waste, and more sustainable processing pathways tied directly to end-use performance.

What is the typical award duration for unsolicited proposals?

Unsolicited awards are generally funded for one to three years.

What is the typical award size?

The average annual award size is about $100,000.

Can applicants request substantially more than the typical annual amount?

Proposals requesting substantially more than about $100,000 per year are discouraged unless the principal investigator consults with the Program Director first. Otherwise, such proposals may be returned without review.

Is it recommended to contact the Program Director before submitting?

Yes. NSF strongly recommends contacting the Program Director before submission to confirm program fit and reduce the risk of a proposal being returned without review, especially for ideas outside the explicitly listed focus areas or budgets substantially above the typical amount.

Are proposals accepted at any time?

No. Proposals must be submitted within the announced proposal window dates. Unsolicited proposals submitted outside those windows are returned without review.

What does NSF expect applicants to address in the proposal narrative?

Applicants are expected to clearly address the novelty and/or potentially transformative nature of the work relative to the state of the art, explain why the research matters for engineering science, and articulate likely impacts on society and/or industry if successful.

Where should the novelty or transformative aspect be stated?

The opportunity notes that, at minimum, the novelty or transformative angle should be stated in the Project Summary.

How are funding decisions made?

Funding decisions depend on reviewer feedback and programmatic considerations, including balancing subfields, the availability of other funding sources, total program funds, and broader NSF policies and priorities.

Are CAREER proposals relevant to this program?

Yes. CAREER proposals from early-career faculty are strongly encouraged. The opportunity notes that CAREER awards typically have five-year durations and reference an annual engineering deadline in July.

Does the program consider conferences, workshops, or supplements?

Yes. The program may consider proposals for conferences, workshops, and supplements, ideally submitted during regular proposal windows.

Are RAPID and EAGER proposals possible under this program?

Yes. RAPID and EAGER proposals are possible when appropriate, but they require discussion with the Program Director prior to submission.

Is cost sharing required?

No. The funding opportunity details indicate there is no cost-sharing requirement.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any clarifications in the full text.

How many awards and how much total funding were anticipated in the listing?

The opportunity anticipated around 47 awards with an estimated total funding level of about $4.9 million.

Is this funding opportunity current or historical?

The listing includes dates indicating it is historical: it was posted March 26, 2012, had an original closing date of September 18, 2012, and an archive date of October 18, 2013. The notice still describes the program scope and expectations as presented in that archived listing.