Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers | 26 500

Opportunity Information: Apply for 26 500

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs) program is a major, long-term funding opportunity designed to support high-impact materials research and education in the United States. The program focuses on fundamental problems in materials science and engineering that are too broad or complex for a single investigator or small team, and therefore benefit from the scale and coordination of a campus-based center. MRSECs are meant to create sustained, collaborative environments where researchers from multiple disciplines work together in an integrated way, combining expertise and shared facilities to tackle core scientific questions aligned with NSF's Division of Materials Research (DMR).

A key feature of an MRSEC is its structure. Each center is built around two to three Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs). Each IRG targets a fundamental topic in materials research and is organized to encourage synergy across fields, such as physics, chemistry, engineering, and related areas. The intent is not just to fund individual projects, but to support a coordinated research portfolio that is stronger as a whole than the sum of its parts. MRSECs also emphasize education and workforce development, using the center environment to train students and researchers in multidisciplinary approaches and to broaden participation in materials research.

Beyond the research itself, the program supports materials research infrastructure in the U.S., helping universities build and maintain shared tools, instrumentation, and facilities that enable advanced experimentation and characterization. MRSECs are also expected to serve as hubs for collaboration across sectors. The opportunity explicitly promotes active partnerships between universities and external organizations, including industry and international entities, with the broader goal of strengthening innovation pathways and maintaining U.S. leadership in materials science. At a national level, MRSECs contribute to a connected network of university-based centers that collectively advance materials research capabilities, educational efforts, and access to facilities.

Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based Institutions of Higher Education. Proposals can only be submitted by accredited two-year or four-year colleges and universities (including community colleges) that have a campus located in the United States and are applying on behalf of their faculty. Centers may be hosted at a single institution or formed as multi-institution partnerships, allowing universities to combine complementary strengths when that improves the scope and quality of the proposed center.

There is also a specific requirement related to international branch campuses. If a proposal includes funding that would flow to an international branch campus of a U.S. institution (including through subawards or consultant arrangements), the proposal must clearly explain why work at that international site benefits the project and why those activities cannot reasonably be performed at the U.S. campus. This reflects NSF's expectation that the core value and execution of MRSEC activities remain strongly anchored in the United States unless a well-justified exception is necessary.

The opportunity is a discretionary grant competition run by NSF under CFDA 47.049 (Science and Technology and other Research and Development). The funding opportunity title is "Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers" with opportunity number 26 500. The original closing date listed is January 27, 2026. NSF anticipates making about five awards under this solicitation. An award ceiling is not provided in the source information shared.

• The U.S. National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.049.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-12-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-01-27. (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 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for 26 500

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