Topology | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF "Topology" (PD 04 1267)

What is the name of this NSF grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Topology" and is listed as an NSF program description with Funding Opportunity Number PD 04 1267.

Which federal program and CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The listing references CFDA 47.049, Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

What is the overall purpose of the NSF "Topology" program?

Its core purpose is to support fundamental research in topology and closely related areas of mathematics, with the aim of advancing the theoretical foundations of the field across both classical and modern directions in topological research.

What type of activity does this grant support?

The program is aimed at research and development activities within science and technology, focused on foundational/topical research in topology.

Is this opportunity a grant, a contract, or a cooperative agreement?

It is structured as a standard NSF grant mechanism, not a contract and not a cooperative agreement.

What areas of topology are included in the scientific scope?

The scope is broad and covers major subareas of topology, including algebraic topology, manifolds and cell complexes, fiberings, knots and links, differential topology, transformation group actions, geometric group theory, and general topology/continua theory.

Does this program include algebraic topology?

Yes. The description explicitly includes algebraic topology topics such as homotopy theory; ordinary and extraordinary homology and cohomology theories; cobordism theory; and K-theory.

Is homotopy theory specifically mentioned?

Yes. Homotopy theory is explicitly listed within the algebraic topology scope.

Are homology and cohomology topics included?

Yes. The program description explicitly includes both ordinary and extraordinary homology and cohomology theories.

Does the program include cobordism theory and K-theory?

Yes. Both cobordism theory and K-theory are specifically called out in the scope.

Are manifolds and cell complexes included in the program scope?

Yes. The opportunity includes topics involving topological manifolds and cell complexes, including work connecting algebraic invariants to geometric structures.

Does the solicitation cover fibrations or related "fiberings" topics?

Yes. It includes fiberings (fibrations and related structures) that study how spaces decompose or are parametrized by other spaces.

Are knots and links covered?

Yes. Knots and links are highlighted, reflecting interest in low-dimensional topology and the study of embeddings and invariants.

Is differential topology included?

Yes. Differential topology is explicitly included, along with related themes involving smooth structures on manifolds and smooth mappings.

Does the program include transformation groups?

Yes. The actions of transformation groups are included, covering symmetry actions and related structures.

Is geometric group theory within scope?

Yes. Geometric group theory is included, described as relating algebraic properties of groups to geometric or topological spaces on which they act.

Does the program include general topology and continua theory?

Yes. The scope includes general topology and continua theory, including structural/set-theoretic aspects of topological spaces and connected compact metric spaces and their properties.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning proposals could be submitted by any type of applicant organization, subject to any additional clarifications that may appear in the full program text.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The listing indicates the opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching funds.

What was the original full proposal target date?

The record states an original full proposal target date of November 3, 2009, described as the first Tuesday in November.

Was this target date intended to recur annually?

Yes. The description notes annual recurrence thereafter (first Tuesday in November).

Is this opportunity still active, or is it archived?

The listing is marked as archived (Archive Date: August 20, 2010), indicating the posted record is no longer current as shown in the Grants.gov snapshot.

What does it mean that the closing date was "replaced by 10 1267"?

The entry notes the current closing date was replaced by "10 1267," which suggests the program listing was superseded or renumbered/updated within NSF's system rather than continuing under the same posted opportunity page.

Why does the listing show ExpectedAwards: 0 and EstimatedTotalFunding: 0?

The snapshot shows "ExpectedAwards: 0" and "EstimatedTotalFunding: 0," which is described as common for archived or informational program-description entries where funding levels and award counts are not represented in the Grants.gov record, even though the underlying NSF program typically makes awards through its standard annual portfolio.

Where can applicants find the official and authoritative program guidance?

The opportunity points to an "Additional Information" link labeled "NSF Program Description 04 1267," which is indicated as the authoritative source for proposal preparation, submission windows, review considerations, and any topic-specific priorities.

Who should be contacted for technical issues accessing the announcement on Grants.gov?

The contact listed for access or technical issues is NSF Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.

Is there any noted help for problems linking to the funding announcement?

Yes. A note indicates that assistance is available for problems linking to the funding announcement, with the Grants.gov support contact provided.