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OpenOpportunity 26-521

MPS Materials Research Programs (MPS Materials)

U.S. National Science Foundation

At a glance

MPS Materials Research Programs (MPS Materials) is an open federal grant opportunity from U.S. National Science Foundation. Applications are due October 7, 2076. Total estimated funding is $100M across about 300 awards. Applicant types listed as eligible include others (see notice). Cost sharing is not required. It is funded under Assistance Listing 47.049 (Mathematical and Physical Sciences).

Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.

Key facts

Posted
Aug 17, 2026
Close date
Oct 7, 2076
Award floor
Not specified
Award ceiling
Not specified
Est. total funding
$100,000,000
Expected awards
300
Cost sharing
Not required
Funding instrument
Grant
Opportunity category
Discretionary

Who can apply

  • Others (see notice)

Additional information on eligibility (from the notice)

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -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 sub-awards 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. -Tribal Nations: An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131. *Who May Serve as PI: See "Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or Co-PI" below.

Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.

What it funds

Official synopsis as published by the agency, formatted for readability.

The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (NSF MPS) supports multiple materials research programs that advance fundamental understanding of materials, their properties, and their potential applications.

The programs covered by this solicitation are:

  • Biomaterials

  • Ceramics

  • Condensed Matter and Materials Theory

  • Condensed Matter Physics

  • Electronic and Photonic Materials

  • Metals and Metallic Nanostructures

  • Polymers

  • Solid State and Materials Chemistry

Other materials research funding opportunities are covered by separate NSF solicitations, such as the NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers and Designing Materials to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future.

NSF MPS is particularly interested in intellectually ambitious and potentially transformative foundational research. Proposals need not promise a near-term product, deployment, or commercial outcome, nor need they address later-stage development to be competitive.

Additional information from the agency ↗

Assistance Listing

What is an ALN?

Reported obligations under ALN 47.049

Historical data · not a prediction
FY24$1.54B
FY25$1.54B
FY26$512M est.
Source: SAM.gov Assistance Listing 47.049. Program-wide totals, not awards from this specific opportunity.

Agency contact (as published)

U.S. National Science Foundation
grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
703-292-4203

Quick answers

When is the deadline for “MPS Materials Research Programs (MPS Materials)”?

According to the official notice, applications are due October 7, 2076. The notice adds: “Proposals accepted anytime” Confirm the deadline and submission time on Grants.gov before applying.

Who is eligible to apply for “MPS Materials Research Programs (MPS Materials)”?

The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible: Others (see notice). Additional restrictions may apply; review the full notice.

How much funding is available through “MPS Materials Research Programs (MPS Materials)”?

Per the notice, total estimated program funding is $100,000,000 and the agency expects to make about 300 awards.

How do I apply for “MPS Materials Research Programs (MPS Materials)”?

Applications are submitted through the official source, not through GrantsJunction. Open the official notice on Grants.gov (opportunity 26-521), and review the full announcement and application package. Organizations applying through Grants.gov generally need an active SAM.gov registration and a Grants.gov account, which can take several weeks to set up.

Matched on shared Assistance Listings, agency, categories and eligible applicant types.