Scalable Nanomanufacturing | Apply Online

Scalable Nanomanufacturing (NSF 12-544) FAQs

What is the NSF "Scalable Nanomanufacturing" funding opportunity (NSF 12-544)?

NSF 12-544 is a National Science Foundation grant opportunity supporting collaborative, interdisciplinary research and education intended to move nanotechnology from small, laboratory-scale fabrication toward manufacturing approaches that can realistically scale to economically and industrially relevant production levels.

What is the main goal of this program?

The central goal is to close the gap between nanoscale discovery and real-world production by funding work that goes beyond a proof-of-concept fabrication method and instead credibly addresses translation to high-throughput, repeatable, and cost-effective manufacturing, while also considering sustainability and broader societal implications.

How does this solicitation relate to the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI)?

The program is positioned as part of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) Signature Initiative on Sustainable Nanomanufacturing, which emphasizes both technical scale-up and the long-run impacts of widespread nanomaterial and nanodevice production and use.

What type of projects is NSF looking for under this solicitation?

NSF is looking for projects that credibly address scalable nanomanufacturing, including: manufacturing-relevant process concepts, scalable self-assembly approaches, sharply targeted fundamental research that removes scale-up roadblocks, engineering of manufacturing tools and systems, and research/education on societal and sustainability implications (including life cycle considerations).

Does the program fund general nanoscale science and engineering research?

This particular program is reserved for work explicitly aimed at scalable nanomanufacturing and its implications. NSF notes that other nanoscale science and engineering topics may be fundable elsewhere, but proposals here should be clearly tied to manufacturing scale-up and related impacts.

What award mechanism is used for this program?

Awards are made through the Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Teams (NIRT) mechanism, meaning the work is expected to be team-based and cross-disciplinary.

What does "NIRT" imply about team structure and disciplines?

The solicitation indicates proposals are expected to integrate multiple disciplines, typically combining expertise from areas such as engineering, physical sciences, chemistry, materials science, and other relevant fields, organized into a coherent team plan.

What themes must proposals address?

Proposals must address at least one of several interconnected themes described in the solicitation, and NSF signals a preference for proposals that integrate multiple themes in a well-justified way.

What is Theme 1: novel processes and techniques for continuous and scalable nanomanufacturing?

This theme targets new processes and techniques that align with industrial-style production paradigms, emphasizing continuous and scalable approaches (for example, continuous-flow, roll-to-roll, or other high-throughput approaches) rather than batch, low-volume laboratory fabrication.

What is Theme 2: directed self-assembly?

This theme focuses on directed self-assembly, including physically, chemically, or biologically guided assembly processes that can yield heterogeneous nanostructures while remaining compatible with high-rate production.

What is Theme 3: fundamental research tied to scale-up roadblocks?

This theme supports fundamental research only when it is sharply defined and convincingly framed as addressing critical barriers to manufacturing translation. In other words, basic science is welcome when it clearly removes a roadblock that prevents scale-up.

What is Theme 4: principles and design methods for machines and processes?

This theme emphasizes principles and design methods for the machines and processes needed to manufacture nanoscale structures, devices, and systems. It points to interests in manufacturing equipment, process control, metrology, design-for-manufacturability, and system-level engineering.

What is Theme 5: societal implications and life cycle analysis?

This theme explicitly invites research and education on the long-term societal implications of large-scale nanomanufacturing, including life cycle analysis of nanomaterials, devices, and systems. It can encompass environmental, health, safety, risk, and sustainability considerations across production, use, and end-of-life stages.

Is NSF encouraging proposals that cover multiple themes?

Yes. NSF signals a preference for proposals that cover multiple themes in an integrated manner, rather than treating them as disconnected components.

What does "scalable" mean in the context of this solicitation?

In this context, "scalable" refers to approaches that can move from lab-scale fabrication to realistic manufacturing: high-throughput, repeatable, and cost-effective processes that can reach economically and industrially relevant production levels.

Are sustainability and societal impacts required considerations?

The solicitation emphasizes sustainability and societal implications as important elements of the program, particularly through its positioning within the NNI Signature Initiative on Sustainable Nanomanufacturing and through the explicit theme on societal implications and life cycle analysis.

How many awards did NSF anticipate making, and what was the total funding level?

NSF anticipated making about 6 awards, with an estimated total program funding level of $5.3 million.

What is the expected award size for individual grants?

Individual awards were expected to range from $1.0 million (floor) to $1.5 million (ceiling).

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The solicitation states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

What type/category of funding is this?

This is described as a discretionary NSF grant opportunity in the Science and Technology/Research and Development category.

What are the key dates listed in the opportunity?

The posting date and creation date were March 7, 2012. The full proposal deadline was June 4, 2012. The archive date was July 4, 2012.

What CFDA numbers are referenced for this opportunity?

The opportunity references CFDA 47.041 (Engineering Grants) and CFDA 47.049 (Mathematical and Physical Sciences).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based academic institutions: universities and two- and four-year colleges (including community colleges) that are accredited in and have a campus located in the United States, applying on behalf of their faculty.

Who can serve as the Principal Investigator (PI)?

The principal investigator must be at the faculty level or equivalent, consistent with the expectation that projects are led by established academic researchers who can assemble and manage interdisciplinary teams.

Are non-academic organizations eligible under the information provided?

The eligibility described is limited to U.S.-based academic institutions applying on behalf of their faculty. No additional eligible organization types are specified in the provided information.

Where should applicants go for help with access or technical issues?

For access issues, the notice points applicants to NSF grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov and provides general guidance for technical problems related to the announcement.