Thermal Transport Processes | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the NSF Thermal Transport Processes program?

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Thermal Transport Processes program is a discretionary grant opportunity that supports fundamental engineering research and engineering education focused on thermal transport phenomena. In this program, thermal transport is broadly defined as heat and mass transfer driven by thermal gradients.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed is PD 10 1406.

What kinds of projects does the program support?

The program supports projects aimed at building a basic, mechanistic understanding of how thermal transport works across microscopic and macroscopic scales, and then using that understanding to enable practical engineering advances. The emphasis is on fundamental understanding that can be transferable, not simply incremental design optimization.

How does NSF define the scope of "thermal transport" for this opportunity?

For this opportunity, thermal transport includes heat and mass transfer driven by thermal gradients. The scope spans both classic and emerging problems and includes multiple modes of transport and their underlying physics.

What application areas does the program consider relevant?

The program scope includes thermal transport problems connected to national needs, such as energy conversion and conservation, materials synthesis and processing, thermal management for infrastructure and equipment, environmental interactions of industrial processes, propulsion and thermal control in air and land vehicles, and thermal behavior in biological and environmental systems.

What thermal transport modes and fundamentals are emphasized?

Emphasized topics include conduction and convection (with or without phase change), radiative transport, and heat and mass transfer at nano- and molecular-length scales, along with the physics that underpin these processes.

Are phase-change topics appropriate for this program?

Yes. The program explicitly includes conduction and convection with or without phase change, and it highlights fundamental work relevant to phase-change behavior.

Does the program support research at nano- and molecular-length scales?

Yes. Heat and mass transfer at nano- and molecular-length scales is specifically called out, including work that connects behavior across length and time scales from molecular to continuum.

What types of proposals align especially well with the program?

Proposals that focus on fundamental characterization and improved understanding align well, including work that develops or leverages improved measurements, models, or theory for material properties relevant to thermal transport. Examples of relevant properties include those governing conductivity, interfacial resistances, and phase-change behavior.

Is NSF looking for projects with broader impact across multiple applications?

Yes. NSF signals special interest in insightful investigations of fundamental problems that can influence multiple application domains, as well as creative or novel applications of heat and mass transfer principles that address broad engineering and societal challenges.

Does the solicitation limit applicants to a fixed list of research topics?

No. The solicitation highlights illustrative "critical fundamental areas" as examples rather than restricting applicants to a narrow list.

What are examples of the "critical fundamental areas" mentioned?

Examples include: (1) thermal transport in energy conversion and conservation processes and how those processes interact with the environment; (2) heat and mass transfer across length and time scales ranging from molecular to continuum, with example application areas such as energy systems, biotechnology, microelectronics thermal management, and biochemical detection; and (3) foundational studies of how energetic beams (such as lasers) interact with solid, liquid, or porous surfaces, particularly in advanced manufacturing at meso-, micro-, and nano-scales.

Are energetic beam interactions (such as lasers) within scope?

Yes. The program includes foundational studies of how energetic beams (including lasers) interact with solid, liquid, or porous surfaces, especially in advanced manufacturing contexts at meso-, micro-, and nano-scales, with an emphasis on first-principles understanding and transferable knowledge.

What is the typical award duration for unsolicited research proposals?

Typical unsolicited research awards run one to three years.

What is the typical award size?

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

Does the program support small equipment proposals?

Yes. The program considers small equipment proposals under $100,000.

When can small equipment proposals be submitted?

Small equipment proposals must be submitted during the same submission windows as research proposals.

Are there strict submission window rules?

Yes. Proposals submitted outside the announced window dates will be returned without review, so planning around the window is essential.

What are the historical annual submission windows?

The posting indicates annual submission windows historically running from August 15 to September 15.

Should applicants verify the active deadline before submitting?

Yes. The archive notes that current closing dates are maintained under a later program description number (PD 11 1406), so applicants are expected to confirm the active deadline and instructions in the most current NSF program description before submitting.

What other NSF proposal mechanisms are mentioned for this opportunity?

The opportunity references several other mechanisms, including CAREER proposals, conference/workshop proposals, supplements, RAPID (Rapid Response Research), and EAGER (EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research) proposals, noting that RAPID and EAGER are used in place of the older SGER mechanism.

What is the CAREER timing and duration referenced?

CAREER proposals follow the NSF Engineering CAREER schedule, with a standard five-year award duration and a July deadline each year (as referenced in the CAREER solicitation).

Can conference, workshop, or supplement proposals be submitted at any time?

Yes. Proposals for conferences, workshops, and supplements may be submitted at any time.

Is prior contact with the program director required for conferences, workshops, or supplements?

Yes. These proposal types require prior discussion with the program director before submission.

Are RAPID and EAGER proposals allowed under this program?

Yes. RAPID and EAGER proposals are allowed, and they are noted as replacing the older SGER mechanism.

Is prior discussion with the program director required for RAPID and EAGER?

Yes. RAPID and EAGER proposals must be discussed with the program director in advance.

Who is eligible to apply?

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

Is cost sharing or matching required?

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

What administrative guidance should applicants follow?

Administrative preparation is expected to follow NSF policy guidance in the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) referenced in the announcement.

What is the main theme NSF emphasizes across the examples provided?

Across the examples, the emphasis is on first-principles understanding and transferable knowledge that can enable practical engineering advances, rather than incremental design optimization.