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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - NSF Thermal Transport Processes (PD 13 1406)

What is the NSF Thermal Transport Processes program (PD 13 1406)?

The NSF Thermal Transport Processes program supports fundamental engineering research and education aimed at building a basic, mechanics-level understanding of how heat and related transport phenomena move and can be controlled across length scales. This includes transport from nano- and micro-scale features up to full macro-scale devices and systems.

What is the core scientific theme of this opportunity?

The core theme is thermal-gradient-driven transport, primarily heat transfer, often coupled with fluid flow and mass transfer. A major emphasis is on understanding and manipulating these processes to meet engineering objectives, rather than making incremental improvements.

Does the program fund applied product development or commercialization work?

The program emphasizes new, generalizable knowledge in thermal sciences rather than narrow, purely product-development work. Proposals should focus on fundamentals-driven investigations that advance thermal transport science and engineering principles that can translate broadly.

What kinds of projects are a strong fit for this program?

Projects that develop a deeper, broadly applicable engineering-science understanding of heat transfer and coupled transport (including how those processes can be controlled) are a strong fit. The program prefers insightful, fundamentals-driven work with broad economic, environmental, and societal relevance.

What are the five broad application contexts highlighted by NSF?

NSF frames the program around five contexts where thermal transport is limiting or enabling:

1. Cooling and heating of equipment and devices (e.g., thermal management in electronics or high-power systems)
2. Energy conversion and power generation, plus thermal energy storage, conservation, and efficiency
3. Synthesis and processing of materials, including advanced manufacturing
4. Propulsion for air and land vehicles
5. Thermal phenomena in biological systems (e.g., bioheat transfer and transport in tissues)

Even when motivated by one of these domains, proposals are expected to emphasize underlying transport science and broadly transferable engineering principles.

What focus areas does NSF specifically highlight within the program scope?

The posting highlights several current focus areas:

• Control of thermal transport processes in devices/systems and in materials processing to improve performance (including actively or passively tuning conduction, convection, boiling/condensation, radiation, or coupled heat and mass transfer).
• Simulation and diagnostics bridging scales, connecting fine-scale physics (including micro/nanoscale effects when relevant) to system-level behavior and design-relevant models, supported by experimental validation.
• New materials, processes, or device concepts that yield significant gains in thermal properties and performance, paired with a clear explanation of why the thermal behavior changes and how it can be engineered and applied.

If my idea is outside the listed focus areas, is it still eligible?

Innovative ideas outside the explicitly listed focus areas may still be considered. However, the program advises principal investigators to contact the Program Director before submitting, especially to avoid scope misalignment.

What does NSF mean by "fundamentals-driven" or "mechanics-level understanding" in this context?

Based on the posting, this means proposals should aim to uncover or explain underlying transport mechanisms and principles (how heat and coupled transport work and can be controlled), in ways that generate knowledge and models that are useful beyond a single device or product.

How should proposals address novelty or transformative potential?

Proposals are expected to explain what is genuinely new or potentially transformative compared to the current state of the field, why the work matters to engineering science, and what downstream impact could result if the research succeeds. NSF notes that the novelty or potentially transformative aspect should be stated at least in the Project Summary, not buried later in the narrative.

What types of impacts does the program care about?

The program states a preference for work addressing problems with broad economic, environmental, and societal relevance. Proposals should also discuss potential downstream impact if successful, including plausible benefits to industry or society.

What is the typical award duration for unsolicited research proposals?

Unsolicited research awards are typically one to three years in duration.

What is the typical award size?

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

Can applicants request significantly more than the average annual award size?

Proposals requesting substantially more than the average, without prior discussion with the Program Director, may be returned without review. The posting indicates that budget expectations and program fit should be discussed with the Program Director when proposing above-average budgets.

Is cost sharing required?

No cost-sharing requirement is listed for this opportunity.

What was the estimated total program funding and number of awards for this posting?

For this archived posting, NSF listed an estimated total program funding level of about $10.1 million and an expected number of awards around 32.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open broadly to eligible entities consistent with NSF rules), under CFDA number 47.041 for Engineering Grants.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 47.041 (Engineering Grants).

What category does NSF place this opportunity under?

The opportunity is listed as a grant mechanism in the science and technology research and development category.

Are CAREER proposals relevant to this program?

CAREER proposals are strongly encouraged under this research area. The posting notes a typical five-year duration and an annual July deadline for Engineering CAREER submissions.

Does the program consider conference or workshop proposals?

Yes, the program also considers conference/workshop proposals.

Are RAPID or EAGER mechanisms available for this topic?

The program may consider special NSF mechanisms such as RAPID and EAGER when appropriate, but these typically require prior discussion with the Program Director before submission.

Do applicants need to contact the Program Director before submitting?

The posting advises contacting the Program Director in several cases, including when innovative ideas fall outside explicitly listed focus areas, when budgets are substantially above the typical average annual award size, and for mechanisms like RAPID and EAGER (which typically require prior discussion).

Are there submission windows or deadline constraints?

Yes. The notice emphasizes that proposals must be submitted within announced windows. Unsolicited proposals submitted outside the specified window dates are returned without review.

Is PD 13 1406 still active?

No. This specific opportunity is archived and was replaced by PD 14 1406. Applicants would need to use the current active program description for up-to-date deadlines and instructions.