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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NSF Solid State and Materials Chemistry (SSMC)

What is the NSF Solid State and Materials Chemistry (SSMC) program?

The Solid State and Materials Chemistry (SSMC) program is a basic research grant opportunity focused on understanding how materials form and behave in the solid state, from the nanoscale up to bulk materials. The program centers on developing atomic- and molecular-level explanations for why materials have specific properties, and using that understanding to guide the creation of new materials or uncover new solid-state phenomena.

What is the main scientific theme of this opportunity?

The central theme is building a clear structure-composition-property picture at the atomic and molecular scale. Proposals are expected to connect fundamental aspects of structure and composition to measurable performance or observed behavior, with an emphasis on explaining mechanisms rather than simply demonstrating an application.

Is this program basic research or applied research?

This opportunity is described as basic research. The emphasis is on mechanistic and fundamental explanations (for example, why a newly observed phenomenon occurs in terms of chemistry, structure, defects, interfaces, or microstructure), rather than purely applied development.

Which disciplines does SSMC support?

The program is explicitly multidisciplinary and sits at the intersection of chemistry, materials science, physics, and engineering. It is designed for projects that integrate perspectives and methods across these areas to explain and control solid-state behavior.

What kinds of materials are within scope?

The materials scope is broad and includes organic, inorganic, and hybrid materials. The description also explicitly mentions liquid crystals and multi-component systems as potential areas of interest.

What types of research activities does the program emphasize?

The program emphasizes innovative approaches to materials design, synthesis, and growth (including bulk crystal growth and thin-film growth), along with careful characterization that reveals new behaviors and supports fundamental explanations of structure/composition/property relationships.

Are projects on crystal growth and thin films relevant?

Yes. The opportunity specifically calls out both bulk crystal growth and thin-film growth as examples of the kinds of synthesis and growth approaches that fit the program's interests, especially when paired with characterization and mechanistic understanding.

What does the program mean by "structure/composition/property relationships"?

It refers to research that links what a material is made of (composition) and how it is arranged (structure, including atomic arrangement, defects, microstructure, and interfaces) to what it does (properties and measurable performance). Strong proposals are expected to provide new scientific insight into these connections.

What are examples of the kind of novelty NSF is looking for in SSMC proposals?

The description highlights novelty such as introducing an original design principle, developing a new assembly strategy (including self-assembly or programmed assembly), or improving methods to produce crystalline or nanostructured solids with controlled structure.

Are self-assembly and programmed assembly approaches encouraged?

Yes. The program description explicitly notes assembly strategies, including self-assembly and programmed assembly, as examples of approaches that can deliver new insight into how structure and composition lead to specific properties.

Does the program support research on surfaces and interfaces?

Yes. Investigations of surfaces and interfaces are highlighted as important because interfacial structure often governs key properties in real materials, particularly in thin films, layered systems, composites, and heterostructures.

What property areas are specifically highlighted in the program description?

The description calls out multiple transport and excitations-related properties, including charge transport, ionic transport, thermal transport, and spin transport, as well as exciton diffusion. It also highlights chemical reactivity and selectivity in the solid state.

Can a proposal focus on how electrons, ions, heat, spins, or excitations move through a material?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly frames relevant research around how electrons (charge), ions, heat (thermal), spins, or excitations (including exciton diffusion) move through materials, and how these processes are influenced by structure, defects, microstructure, and interfaces.

Does SSMC support research on solid-state chemical reactivity?

Yes. Chemical reactivity and selectivity in the solid state are listed among the property and behavior areas of interest, including how solid-state environments can change reaction pathways.

Are environmentally safer and more sustainable materials within scope?

Yes. The opportunity encourages work on environmentally safer and more sustainable materials, while keeping the focus on fundamental science and core understanding of materials chemistry.

Is energy-related materials research allowed under this opportunity?

Yes, energy-relevant research is encouraged when it advances fundamental understanding in materials chemistry. The description mentions foundational studies that could underpin improved technologies for energy harvesting, energy conversion, and energy storage, with emphasis on identifying structural origins of behaviors such as improved transport, stability, interfacial behavior, or reactivity.

Which NSF division and directorate manage this program?

This is an NSF discretionary grant program under the Division of Materials Research (DMR) within the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) directorate.

Does NSF coordinate this program with other NSF areas?

Yes. The description notes close coordination across other NSF programs in MPS and in Engineering (ENG) to manage the multidisciplinary nature of many submissions.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number and title?

The listing identifies the opportunity as Funding Opportunity Number PD 09 1762, titled "Solid State and Materials Chemistry."

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA listed is 47.049, labeled "Mathematical and Physical Sciences."

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning any applicant organization type may apply, subject to any additional eligibility language that may appear in the full announcement.

Is cost sharing required?

No. The record notes that there is no cost sharing requirement.

Are the dates in the listing current?

The posting dates in the record reflect an older, archived announcement. The listing shows it was posted on November 18, 2009, with a submission window of September 1, 2010 through October 31, 2010, and it was later archived pending reissue with updated due dates.

What should applicants do if they have technical access issues with submission systems?

For technical access issues, the listing directs applicants to NSF/Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.