The Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET) and the Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing innovation (CMMI) in the Engineering Directorate (ENG) and the Division of Materials Research (DMR) in the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) are partnering with The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. (CASIS) to solicit research projects in the general fields of fluid dynamics, particulate and multiphase processes, combustion and fire systems, thermal transport processes, nanoscale interactions, manufacturing methods that employ any of those transport phenomena, and resulting metallic materials, metal nanostructures and ceramic materials that can utilize the International Space Station (ISS) National Lab to conduct research that will benefit life on Earth. Only entities that qualify as "U.S. Persons" under 22 U.S. Code §6010, including academic investigators, non-profit independent research laboratories and academic-commercial teams are eligible to submit proposals.
Prospective proposers must submit a Feasibility Review Form to the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. (CASIS) by February 6, 2025.
Full Proposal Deadline: April 10, 2025
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
- Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) - Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of subawards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.
- Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies and similar organizations in the U.S. associated with educational or research activities.
- For-profit organizations: U.S. commercial organizations, especially small businesses with strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education.
The PI and any Co-PIs must qualify as "U.S. Persons" under 22 U.S. Code §6010: " 'United States person' means any United States citizen or alien admitted for permanent residence in the United States, and any corporation, partnership, or other organization organized under the laws of the United States."
An individual may participate in any capacity (PI, co-PI, Other Senior Personnel, or Consultant) in only one proposal submitted in response to this solicitation. The submitting organization is responsible to ensure that the PI, co-PIs, Other Senior Personnel, and Consultants are participating in only one proposal. This limitation includes proposals submitted by a lead organization and any sub-award submitted as part of a proposal. Violations of this rule will result in return without review of all proposals including the offending individual except for the first such proposal submitted in time-stamped order.
NSF Funding (total) available under this solicitation is up to $3.6 million to be distributed in FY 2025. Budget requests may be for up to $400,000 total, direct and indirect costs, and up to four years in duration. The award size and duration should be consistent with the project scope.
Estimated program budget, number of awards and award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds. Project duration must not exceed four years.