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FAQs: NSF Process and Reaction Engineering (PD 12-1403)

What is the NSF Process and Reaction Engineering program (PD 12-1403)?

The NSF Process and Reaction Engineering program is a discretionary funding opportunity within NSF Engineering Grants (CFDA 47.041). It supports fundamental and applied research at the core of chemical and biochemical engineering, with a strong emphasis on mechanistic understanding and predictive modeling of reactive systems.

What types of research does this program support overall?

The program supports research that advances understanding and use of chemical reaction rates and mechanisms (catalyzed and uncatalyzed) and applies that understanding to the design and scale-up of catalysts, chemical and biochemical processes, and specialized materials. It also includes solid surface and interface phenomena, electrochemical and photochemical processes with engineering or commercial relevance, and the coupled interplay between chemical reactions and transport processes (heat, mass, and momentum transfer) in reactive systems.

What is the major cross-cutting theme across the program?

A major theme is using mechanistic insight and predictive models to design, optimize, and control complex reactors and process systems.

How is the research scope organized?

The scope is organized into three main areas: (1) Chemical Reaction Engineering, (2) Process Design and Control, and (3) Reactive Polymer Processing.

What topics fall under Chemical Reaction Engineering?

Chemical Reaction Engineering covers how kinetics and transport phenomena interact in real reactive environments and how that knowledge improves reactor design, including complex chemical and biochemical reactors. It also includes interest in non-traditional reactor platforms (such as membrane reactors, microreactors, and supercritical-fluid reaction systems) and novel activation methods (including plasmas, acoustics, and microwaves).

Does the program support "non-traditional" reactor platforms?

Yes. NSF highlights interest in platforms such as membrane reactors, microreactors, and reaction systems using supercritical fluids.

Are novel activation methods within scope?

Yes. The program calls out novel activation methods including plasmas, acoustics, and microwaves as areas of interest.

Are miniaturized or multifunctional synthesis concepts included?

Yes. The program notes multifunctional and miniaturized synthesis concepts, including examples like "smart" molecules and lab-on-a-chip or factory-on-a-chip approaches.

Are bioreactors and bioprocess topics supported?

Yes. Chemical Reaction Engineering topics include bioreactor design, bioprocess optimization, and fermentation technology.

Are energy-related reaction engineering topics eligible?

Yes. Energy-related reaction engineering is within scope, particularly new approaches for producing energy from renewable resources.

Does the program mention any enabling technologies related to microelectronics?

Yes. It specifically mentions enabling technologies such as atomic layer deposition methods relevant to microelectronics.

What topics fall under Process Design and Control?

Process Design and Control supports research on designing and optimizing complex chemical and biochemical processes, along with dynamic modeling and control at both the plant and unit-operation levels.

What are priority topics within Process Design and Control?

Priority topics include simultaneous product and process design (including bioprocesses) and approaches to improve plant efficiency using algorithms that communicate across design layers while balancing multiple criteria such as profitability, safety, operability, environmental sustainability, and broader societal concerns.

Does the program value new sensor development?

Yes. The program explicitly values new sensor development that can measure composition, product properties, and morphology, because these measurements can enable improved monitoring and control strategies.

Does the program encourage systems approaches across multiple scales?

Yes. It encourages systems approaches that connect and optimize across scales, described as spanning from nano to mega.

Is planning and scheduling in global operations considered relevant?

Yes. The program encourages integrating planning and scheduling considerations in the context of increasingly global industrial operations.

Is advanced computing or cyberinfrastructure encouraged?

Yes. Use of advanced cyberinfrastructure, including tera- and peta-scale computing resources, is encouraged when it strengthens modeling, optimization, or control outcomes.

What topics fall under Reactive Polymer Processing?

Reactive Polymer Processing targets research that explicitly integrates polymer synthesis with processing. Proposals are expected to connect polymer formation chemistry (polymerization of monomers into chains or complexes) with downstream processing steps that orient and anneal polymer melts, influencing long-range conformation and material properties.

What are examples of application areas for Reactive Polymer Processing?

Examples mentioned include emulsion and miniemulsion polymerization and reaction injection molding.

Does the program emphasize environmental concerns?

Yes. A recurring emphasis is addressing environmental concerns while still enabling tailored molecules and materials. This implies interest in greener chemistries, reduced waste, safer solvents, or more energy-efficient processing routes, as long as the work tightly links reaction and processing behavior.

How many awards and how much total funding are anticipated?

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

What is the typical award duration?

Unsolicited awards are typically 1 to 3 years in duration.

What is the average annual award size?

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

What happens if a proposal requests substantially more than the typical annual amount?

The announcement cautions that proposals requesting substantially more than the typical annual amount may be returned without review unless the principal investigator consults the Program Director in advance.

Should applicants contact the Program Director before submitting?

Contacting the Program Director is recommended, especially to confirm fit and reduce the risk of an out-of-scope return. It is also required in advance for certain mechanisms (RAPID and EAGER).

Is there room for innovative ideas outside the explicitly listed topics?

Yes. While the program primarily targets the listed areas, it leaves room for innovative ideas outside the explicit focus topics. The guidance recommends contacting the Program Director to confirm fit.

What does NSF expect in the proposal narrative?

Submissions should clearly explain what is novel or potentially transformative relative to the state of the art, why the work matters for engineering science, and what societal and/or industrial impacts could result if the research succeeds.

Where must the novelty or transformative angle be stated?

The novelty or transformative angle must appear at least in the Project Summary.

Are funding decisions based only on reviewer scores?

No. Final funding decisions can reflect factors beyond reviewer scores, including portfolio balance across subfields, overlap with other funding sources, total funds available, and broader NSF priorities and policies.

Who is eligible to apply?

The opportunity is described as broadly eligible (listed as unrestricted eligibility), subject to any clarifications in the full text.

Are NSF CAREER proposals encouraged under this program?

Yes. CAREER proposals are strongly encouraged. The opportunity notes that CAREER awards are five-year duration and that Engineering CAREER deadlines are typically in July.

Does the program consider conference, workshop, or supplement proposals?

Yes. The program may consider conference/workshop/supplement proposals, ideally during the regular annual window.

Can applicants use RAPID or EAGER mechanisms?

Yes, when appropriate. RAPID and EAGER submissions must be discussed with the Program Director prior to submission.

What happens if a proposal is submitted outside the proposal window?

Proposals received outside the announced proposal window are returned without review.

What were the submission dates for this specific listing?

For this specific listing, the submission window ran from August 15, 2011 to September 15, 2011, due by 5 p.m. local time. The posted date was June 8, 2011 and the closing date was September 15, 2011.