Interfacial Engineering | PD 23 1417

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF Interfacial Engineering (PD 23-1417)

What is the NSF Interfacial Engineering program (PD 23-1417)?

The Interfacial Engineering program is a discretionary NSF funding opportunity within the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET). It sits in the Chemical Process Systems cluster alongside Catalysis, Electrochemical Systems, and Process Systems/Reaction Engineering/Molecular Thermodynamics.

What kinds of research does this program support?

The program supports fundamental, engineering-focused research aimed at explaining and controlling atomic- and molecular-scale phenomena at interfaces. A central goal is to improve understanding of interfacial thermodynamics, kinetics, and transport in ways that can enable major advances in chemical process efficiency, separation performance, and resource utilization.

Does the research need to be applied, or can it be purely fundamental?

The work is expected to be foundational, but proposals are expected to present a credible path showing how the knowledge could translate to practice or advance industrial chemical or biochemical processing. Projects that remain purely descriptive or disconnected from process relevance are not aligned with the stated expectations.

What are the main topic areas (topical lanes) highlighted by the program?

The program highlights several major lanes: chemical separations; biological separations; interfacial phenomena at engineered surfaces; and nanoconfinement or engineered surfaces, including theory, modeling, or experiments that reveal thermodynamic and transport behavior in confinement (such as within nanopores) or at highly engineered surfaces.

What types of chemical separations are of interest?

Examples include scalable membranes or sorbents, as well as field-induced separations aimed at large reductions in energy use and/or materials demand.

What types of biological separations are of interest?

Examples include downstream processing of biologically derived chemicals and therapeutic proteins/biologics to increase throughput and purity, and engineered interfaces for molecular recognition.

What does the program mean by “interfacial phenomena at engineered surfaces”?

This includes topics such as adsorption/desorption kinetics and thermodynamics and complex molecular/ionic interactions at process-relevant interfaces.

What does the program mean by “nanoconfinement or engineered surfaces”?

This includes experimental, theoretical, and modeling approaches that clarify how fluids behave thermodynamically and in transport within nanopores, under confinement, or at highly engineered surfaces.

Is the program interested in new approaches or emerging areas?

Yes. The program is especially interested in proposals that address long-standing bottlenecks with genuinely new approaches, and proposals that open emerging areas and technologies in interfacial science as applied to process systems.

Are interdisciplinary or collaborative projects encouraged?

Yes. Interdisciplinary and collaborative submissions are encouraged, particularly those that combine experiments with theory and/or modeling to deliver mechanistic understanding and predictive capability.

How important is “fit” with this specific NSF program?

Fit is emphasized as critical. NSF explicitly notes that proposals whose primary thrust falls outside this program should be directed to other programs. Misalignment can lead to a proposal being returned without review.

Which projects should be directed to the Electrochemical Systems program instead?

If the work is centered on electrochemical system performance and associated reaction/transport phenomena (such as batteries, fuel cells, flow batteries, electrochemical conversions, and related components), it should be directed to the Electrochemical Systems program (CBET 7644).

Which projects may fit better in the Nanoscale Interactions program?

Studies focused on interactions of nanomaterials and nanosystems with an environmental or biological emphasis may align better with the Nanoscale Interactions program (CBET 1179).

Which projects may fit better in the Particulate and Multiphase Processes program?

Projects where the main question is how interfacial dynamics influence transport or bulk properties in multiphase systems may be better suited to the Particulate and Multiphase Processes program (CBET 1415).

Should applicants contact NSF before submitting?

Yes. Investigators are strongly encouraged to contact the program director in advance to confirm programmatic fit, especially for boundary-spanning ideas or innovative topics outside the listed areas. Conference, workshop, supplement requests, and RAPID/EAGER concepts also require prior discussion with the program director.

What does the program expect regarding novelty or transformative potential?

Like most CBET programs, Interfacial Engineering expects a clear statement of novelty and/or potentially transformative aspects relative to prior work, along with a strong engineering science rationale. At minimum, the project summary must explicitly convey what is new or transformative.

What does the program expect regarding impact?

Proposals should project potential societal and/or industrial impact if successful, and should explain why the problem and approach matter from an engineering science perspective.

How long are typical awards?

Typical unsolicited awards in CBET run up to three years.

What budget level is typical for a single-PI submission?

Single-PI budgets commonly support roughly one graduate student (or equivalent) plus up to one month of PI salary support per year.

Are larger budgets allowed?

Larger budgets are more common for multi-investigator projects. If a project requires an unusually large budget, NSF indicates this should be discussed with the program director ahead of submission.

Is there a fixed submission deadline?

No fixed deadline is listed for standard submissions. Proposals are accepted anytime for this opportunity, based on the information provided.

Is there an award ceiling?

An award ceiling is not specified in the information provided.

How many awards does NSF expect to make under this listing?

NSF indicates an expected 113 awards under this opportunity listing.

Does the program accept CAREER proposals?

Yes. CAREER proposals are strongly encouraged when aligned with the program scope. The information provided notes that Engineering CAREER deadlines are in July and that CAREER awards are typically five years.

Are GOALI proposals encouraged?

Yes. GOALI proposals that connect fundamental research to translational outcomes with industry engagement are encouraged and can be submitted anytime, as long as they align with the program scope.

Are RAPID and EAGER proposals allowed?

RAPID and EAGER proposals may be appropriate in some cases, but they require prior discussion with the program director before submission.

Can conference, workshop, or supplement requests be submitted?

These mechanisms are welcomed when aligned with program scope, but conference, workshop, and supplement requests should be discussed with the program director before submission.

What compliance requirements apply to submissions?

Compliance with the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) is mandatory. NSF states that noncompliant proposals will be returned without review.

What is the biggest avoidable reason a proposal might be returned without review?

Based on the information provided, two major risks are (1) programmatic misalignment (poor fit with Interfacial Engineering) and (2) noncompliance with NSF PAPPG requirements. The program explicitly warns that these can result in a return without review.