Opportunity Information: Apply for PD 20 1179
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Nanoscale Interactions program (PD 20-1179) is a discretionary research grant opportunity within the Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET) Division, housed in the Environmental Engineering and Sustainability cluster alongside the Environmental Engineering and Environmental Sustainability programs. Its central aim is to fund fundamental, quantitative research that explains how nanomaterials and nanosystems behave when they come into contact with biological and environmental media. The program is interested in a wide range of nanoscale materials, including one- to three-dimensional nanostructures, heterogeneous nano-bio hybrid assemblies, dendritic and micelle structures, quantum dots, and other nanoparticles, especially where these materials exhibit properties that differ from their bulk counterparts (for example, unusual chemical reactivity, photonic or electronic responses, or distinctive biological interactions).
The research scope emphasizes understanding and prediction rather than product development alone. Priority areas include: (1) characterizing interactions at interfaces between nanomaterials or nanosystems (from simple particles to complex, heterogeneous composites) and surrounding biological or environmental media; (2) developing predictive tools grounded in nanoscale behavior to support cost-effective and environmentally responsible processing and engineering solutions across full life-cycle stages of materials; (3) examining how nanostructured materials move through, interact with, and affect biological systems and the environment, including exposure, fate, and impacts; and (4) advancing simulations and theory for nanoparticle interfacial behavior, transport, and transformation, ideally paired with experiments for comparison and validation. The broader payoff the program is aiming for is better scientific and engineering capability to design nanostructured and hybrid nanosystems with targeted chemical, electronic, photonic, mechanical, or biological functions while enabling safer, more sustainable manufacturing, handling, and use.
Because this program sits at the boundary between nanoscience, environmental engineering, and bio-related systems, NSF explicitly encourages collaborative and interdisciplinary proposals. At the same time, it flags an important fit issue: proposals centered primarily on atomic- or molecular-scale interfacial phenomena and the engineering of interfacial properties for industrial chemical or biochemical processing may be better suited to NSF's Interfacial Engineering program (CBET 1417). For topics that are adjacent or unconventional, the solicitation strongly recommends contacting the Program Director before submitting, both to confirm program alignment and to reduce the risk of a proposal being returned without review for poor fit.
Like most CBET opportunities, proposals are expected to clearly articulate what is new and potentially transformative compared to the state of the art, why the work matters for engineering science, and what successful outcomes could mean for society or industry. NSF expects the novelty or transformative potential to appear at minimum in the Project Summary, not buried only in the technical narrative. Awards for unsolicited proposals are typically up to three years. Typical single-investigator budgets often align with supporting roughly one graduate student (or equivalent) plus up to one month of PI salary support per year, while multi-investigator projects are commonly larger. If a budget is well above what is typical for the program, NSF advises discussing the request with the Program Director in advance. Applicants can also look at recent awards under the program (via the "What Has Been Funded" listing) to calibrate scope and budget expectations.
The program accepts proposals at any time (no fixed deadline listed for standard submissions). It also welcomes several NSF proposal mechanisms when appropriate, including CAREER proposals (strongly encouraged; typically five years; engineering CAREER proposals are generally due in July each year), as well as conference/workshop/supplement requests (which should be discussed with the Program Director prior to submission). RAPID and EAGER proposals are considered but require prior discussion with the Program Director, and GOALI proposals that link fundamental research with translational outcomes and industry engagement are encouraged; RAPID, EAGER, and GOALI can generally be submitted year-round. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any entity type, subject to any additional eligibility notes in the full posting). Finally, NSF emphasizes compliance: proposals that do not follow the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) may be returned without review, so adherence to formatting, content, and submission rules is treated as a threshold requirement, not a minor detail.Apply for PD 20 1179
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Nanoscale Interactions" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 20, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Proposals accepted anytime. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 100 candidate(s).
- 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF Nanoscale Interactions Program (PD 20-1179)
What is the NSF Nanoscale Interactions program?
The NSF Nanoscale Interactions program (PD 20-1179) is a discretionary research grant opportunity in NSF's Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET) Division. It sits in the Environmental Engineering and Sustainability cluster, alongside the Environmental Engineering and Environmental Sustainability programs.
What is the main goal of this program?
The central aim is to support fundamental, quantitative research that explains how nanomaterials and nanosystems behave when they come into contact with biological and environmental media. The program emphasizes understanding and prediction of nanoscale interactions, not just product development.
What kinds of nanomaterials and nanosystems are of interest?
The program is interested in a wide range of nanoscale materials, including:
- One- to three-dimensional nanostructures
- Heterogeneous nano-bio hybrid assemblies
- Dendritic and micelle structures
- Quantum dots
- Other nanoparticles
Interest is especially strong when these materials show properties that differ from their bulk counterparts, such as unusual chemical reactivity, distinctive photonic or electronic responses, or unique biological interactions.
What types of research topics does the program prioritize?
The program highlights several priority areas:
- Characterizing interactions at interfaces between nanomaterials/nanosystems (from simple particles to complex, heterogeneous composites) and surrounding biological or environmental media.
- Developing predictive tools grounded in nanoscale behavior to support cost-effective and environmentally responsible processing and engineering solutions across full life-cycle stages.
- Studying how nanostructured materials move through, interact with, and affect biological systems and the environment, including exposure, fate, and impacts.
- Advancing simulations and theory for nanoparticle interfacial behavior, transport, and transformation, ideally paired with experiments for comparison and validation.
Is this program focused on product development or commercialization?
The program's scope emphasizes fundamental understanding and prediction. While outcomes may inform future applications, the stated priority is not product development alone.
What broader impacts or outcomes is the program aiming for?
The program aims to strengthen scientific and engineering capability to design nanostructured and hybrid nanosystems with targeted chemical, electronic, photonic, mechanical, or biological functions, while enabling safer and more sustainable manufacturing, handling, and use.
Does NSF encourage interdisciplinary or collaborative proposals for this program?
Yes. Because the program sits at the boundary of nanoscience, environmental engineering, and bio-related systems, NSF explicitly encourages collaborative and interdisciplinary proposals.
How do I know if my proposal is a good fit for Nanoscale Interactions versus another NSF program?
NSF flags a fit consideration: proposals centered primarily on atomic- or molecular-scale interfacial phenomena and engineering of interfacial properties for industrial chemical or biochemical processing may be better suited to NSF's Interfacial Engineering program (CBET 1417). For adjacent or unconventional topics, contacting the Program Director before submission is strongly recommended to confirm alignment and reduce the risk of being returned without review.
Should I contact the Program Director before submitting?
NSF strongly recommends contacting the Program Director when topics are adjacent, unconventional, or there is any uncertainty about program alignment. NSF also advises discussing certain submission mechanisms and unusually large budgets with the Program Director in advance.
What does NSF expect proposals to clearly communicate?
Proposals are expected to clearly articulate:
- What is new and potentially transformative compared to the state of the art
- Why the work matters for engineering science
- What successful outcomes could mean for society or industry
NSF also expects the novelty or transformative potential to appear at minimum in the Project Summary, not only in the technical narrative.
Are there typical award durations for this opportunity?
Awards for unsolicited proposals are typically up to three years. CAREER proposals are typically five years.
Is there a typical budget size for projects under this program?
Typical single-investigator budgets often align with supporting roughly one graduate student (or equivalent) plus up to one month of PI salary support per year. Multi-investigator projects are commonly larger. If a budget request is well above what is typical, NSF advises discussing it with the Program Director in advance.
How can I calibrate my project scope and budget expectations?
NSF suggests reviewing recent awards under the program using the "What Has Been Funded" listing to better understand likely scope and budget levels.
Is there a fixed deadline to submit to the Nanoscale Interactions program?
The program accepts proposals at any time; no fixed deadline is listed for standard submissions.
What proposal mechanisms does the program accept or encourage?
The program welcomes multiple NSF proposal mechanisms when appropriate, including:
- CAREER proposals (strongly encouraged; typically five years; engineering CAREER proposals are generally due in July each year)
- Conference/workshop/supplement requests (should be discussed with the Program Director prior to submission)
- RAPID proposals (require prior discussion with the Program Director; generally can be submitted year-round)
- EAGER proposals (require prior discussion with the Program Director; generally can be submitted year-round)
- GOALI proposals (encouraged; link fundamental research with translational outcomes and industry engagement; generally can be submitted year-round)
Are RAPID and EAGER proposals allowed under this program?
Yes, RAPID and EAGER proposals are considered, but they require prior discussion with the Program Director.
Are GOALI proposals encouraged?
Yes. GOALI proposals that connect fundamental research with translational outcomes and industry engagement are encouraged.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to any additional eligibility notes in the full posting.
What compliance requirements does NSF emphasize?
NSF emphasizes compliance with the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Proposals that do not follow PAPPG requirements (including formatting, content, and submission rules) may be returned without review, meaning compliance is treated as a threshold requirement.
What is the risk if my proposal is not aligned with the program or does not meet requirements?
NSF notes that contacting the Program Director can reduce the risk of a proposal being returned without review due to poor fit. NSF also states that failure to comply with PAPPG may result in a proposal being returned without review.
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