Opportunity Information: Apply for PD 10 1635

  • The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Structural Materials and Mechanics" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041 Engineering Grants.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Jan 13, 2014 and posted on Aug 4, 2010.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Opportunity PD 10 1635 is no longer accepting new proposals.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
Apply for PD 10 1635

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:

Opportunity Summary:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity titled Structural Materials and Mechanics (SMM), listed under Funding Opportunity Number PD 10 1635, focused on supporting fundamental research in civil engineering, specifically the behavior of civil infrastructure materials and the mechanics of structural components used in the built environment. The program emphasized science and engineering research that advances core understanding of how structural materials and components perform, fail, degrade, and interact with their environment over time, with the broader goal of improving the life cycle performance and sustainability of civil infrastructure systems.

A central theme of the SMM program was research on structural components made from both natural and synthetic materials. This includes traditional civil infrastructure materials as well as emerging or engineered alternatives, and it extends to the structural components built from these materials rather than only isolated material samples. The opportunity highlighted interest in how these materials and components respond to different types of loading and exposure conditions, including mechanical loads, hydrothermal effects (interactions involving moisture and temperature), and time-dependent loads. Time-dependent behavior is especially important in infrastructure because many structural problems develop gradually through creep, shrinkage, relaxation, fatigue, aging, and other long-term degradation mechanisms that can significantly affect safety, serviceability, maintenance needs, and long-run costs.

The program also tied this fundamental mechanics and materials research directly to infrastructure outcomes, particularly life cycle performance and sustainable development. In practical terms, that framing supports work that can lead to longer-lasting structures, reduced repair frequency, better resilience to environmental stressors, improved understanding of deterioration pathways, and ultimately more efficient use of materials and resources. While the program description is research-oriented rather than application procurement-oriented, the stated interest in sustainability and life cycle impact signals that proposals were expected to connect fundamental advances to how civil infrastructure is designed, assessed, maintained, or renewed over its full service life.

Administratively, this opportunity was a discretionary NSF grant program in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category, and it did not require cost sharing or matching. The CFDA listing associated with it was 47.041 (Engineering Grants). Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning it was generally open to any applicant type, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full program text. The posting date was August 4, 2010, and the original closing date was October 1, 2010, with recurring annual submission windows noted as due by 5 p.m. local time for the proposer, specifically September 1 and October 1, and also January 15 and February 15. However, the record indicates the opportunity is archived and no longer accepting new proposals, with an archive date of January 13, 2014. The listing shows expected awards and estimated total funding as 0 in the source data, which typically reflects how the archived record was captured rather than a definitive statement about historical awards made under the program.

For support related to accessing the full announcement electronically, the contact provided was NSF Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov, and an additional information link referenced an NSF program description for PD 10 1635.

Structural Materials and Mechanics (SMM) NSF Grant (PD 10 1635) - FAQs

1) What is the Structural Materials and Mechanics (SMM) program?

The NSF Structural Materials and Mechanics (SMM) program (Funding Opportunity Number PD 10 1635) supported fundamental research in civil engineering focused on (1) the behavior of civil infrastructure materials and (2) the mechanics of structural components used in the built environment.

2) What kinds of research did this opportunity emphasize?

The program emphasized science and engineering research that advances core understanding of how structural materials and components perform, fail, degrade, and interact with their environment over time. A key goal was improving life cycle performance and sustainability of civil infrastructure systems.

3) Was the focus on materials only, or also on structural components?

The opportunity highlighted research on structural components made from natural and synthetic materials. It extended beyond isolated material samples to include structural components built from those materials.

4) What types of materials were included?

The program included traditional civil infrastructure materials as well as emerging or engineered alternatives, as long as the work fit the civil infrastructure context and focused on structural materials and/or structural components.

5) What loading or exposure conditions were of interest?

The opportunity specifically noted interest in how materials and components respond to different types of loading and exposure conditions, including mechanical loads, hydrothermal effects (moisture and temperature interactions), and time-dependent loads.

6) What does "time-dependent behavior" mean in this program?

Time-dependent behavior refers to changes that occur gradually over time, which is common in infrastructure. The description called out mechanisms such as creep, shrinkage, relaxation, fatigue, aging, and other long-term degradation processes that can influence safety, serviceability, maintenance needs, and long-run costs.

7) How did the program connect research to infrastructure outcomes?

While the program was research-oriented, it tied fundamental mechanics and materials research to infrastructure outcomes like life cycle performance and sustainable development. The framing suggests proposals were expected to connect fundamental advances to how civil infrastructure is designed, assessed, maintained, or renewed over its full service life.

8) Was this opportunity aimed at procurement or implementation projects?

No. Based on the description provided, it was oriented toward fundamental research rather than application procurement. However, it also signaled interest in sustainability and life cycle impacts relevant to real infrastructure performance.

9) Did this program require cost sharing or matching funds?

No. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching.

10) What was the CFDA listing for this opportunity?

The CFDA listing associated with the opportunity was 47.041 (Engineering Grants).

11) What was the funding category/activity type?

It was an NSF discretionary grant program under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category.

12) Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning it was generally open to any applicant type, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full program text.

13) When was this opportunity posted?

The posting date listed was August 4, 2010.

14) What was the original closing date?

The original closing date listed was October 1, 2010.

15) Were there recurring submission windows?

Yes. The opportunity noted recurring annual submission windows due by 5 p.m. local time for the proposer, specifically September 1, October 1, January 15, and February 15.

16) Is the SMM (PD 10 1635) opportunity still accepting proposals?

No. The record indicates the opportunity is archived and no longer accepting new proposals. The archive date listed was January 13, 2014.

17) The listing shows expected awards and estimated total funding as 0. What does that mean?

The source data shows expected awards and estimated total funding as 0, which typically reflects how the archived record was captured rather than a definitive statement about historical awards made under the program.

18) Where could applicants get help accessing the full announcement electronically?

For support related to accessing the full announcement electronically, the contact provided was NSF Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.

19) Was there an official program description reference?

Yes. An additional information link referenced an NSF program description for PD 10 1635.

20) What is the overall intent of the program in plain terms?

In plain terms, the program aimed to strengthen the foundational science behind how infrastructure materials and structural components behave over time, including how they degrade, so that civil infrastructure can be made longer-lasting, more sustainable, and better understood across its full life cycle.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Science Foundation

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development

Next opportunity: Civil Infrastructure Systems

Previous opportunity: Dynamical Systems

USGrants.org Applicant Portal:

Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.

Apply for PD 10 1635

 

[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PD 10 1635) also looked into and applied for these:

Funding Opportunity
Civil Infrastructure Systems Apply for PD 10 1631

Funding Number: PD 10 1631
Agency: National Science Foundation
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Solid State and Materials Chemistry Apply for PD 10 1762

Funding Number: PD 10 1762
Agency: National Science Foundation
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU Apply for 10HQPA0096

Funding Number: 10HQPA0096
Agency: Geological Survey
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) Apply for ONRBAA10 026

Funding Number: ONRBAA10 026
Agency: Office of Naval Research
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Mineral Resources External Research Program (MRERP) Apply for 11HQPA0007

Funding Number: 11HQPA0007
Agency: Geological Survey
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students Apply for 10 591

Funding Number: 10 591
Agency: National Science Foundation
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Mathematical Sciences Research Institutes Apply for 10 592

Funding Number: 10 592
Agency: National Science Foundation
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: $4,000,000
Ship based Technical Support in the Arctic Apply for 10 594

Funding Number: 10 594
Agency: National Science Foundation
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
ADVANCE Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers Apply for 10 593

Funding Number: 10 593
Agency: National Science Foundation
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: $4,000,000
FY2011 MURI For Submission to Air Force Office of Scientific Research Apply for ONR BAA 10 026

Funding Number: ONR BAA 10 026
Agency: Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: $1,500,000
Social Network Analysis for Building Resilient Communities Apply for BAA10 15

Funding Number: BAA10 15
Agency: Office of Procurement Operations Grants Division
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: $100,000
Effective Risk Communications Against the IED Threat, Phases II IV Apply for BAA10 16

Funding Number: BAA10 16
Agency: Office of Procurement Operations Grants Division
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: $440,000
Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, North Atlantic Coast CESU Apply for 10HQPA00097

Funding Number: 10HQPA00097
Agency: Geological Survey
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers Program Apply for 10 595

Funding Number: 10 595
Agency: National Science Foundation
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: $200,000
Control Systems Apply for PD 10 1632

Funding Number: PD 10 1632
Agency: National Science Foundation
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Opportunities for Enhancing Diversity in the Geosciences (OEDG) Apply for 10 599

Funding Number: 10 599
Agency: National Science Foundation
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: $2,000,000
EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program Inter Campus and Intra Campus Cyber Connectivity Apply for 10 598

Funding Number: 10 598
Agency: National Science Foundation
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: $1,000,000
Arctic Research Opportunities Apply for 10 597

Funding Number: 10 597
Agency: National Science Foundation
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation (EFRI) Apply for 10 596

Funding Number: 10 596
Agency: National Science Foundation
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: $2,000,000
THE GODDARD EARTH SCIENCES TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH GESTAR STUDIES AND INVESTIGATIONS Apply for NNG10323568

Funding Number: NNG10323568
Agency: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Amount: Case Dependent

 

Grant application guides and resources

It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!

Apply for Grants

 

USGrants.org applicant portal membership

 

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers

Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.

If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.

Subscribe to Leads

 

Request more information:

Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PD 10 1635", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:

Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.