OpenOpportunity 26-523

MPS Physics Research Programs (MPS Physics)

At a glance

MPS Physics Research Programs (MPS Physics) is an open federal grant opportunity from U.S. National Science Foundation. Applications are due October 6, 2076. Total estimated funding is $180M. The notice is unrestricted by applicant type, subject to any clarifications in the 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 6, 2076
Award floor: Not specified
Award ceiling: Not specified
Est. total funding: $180,000,000
Expected awards: Not specified
Cost sharing: Not required
Funding instrument: Grant
Opportunity category: Discretionary

Who can apply

Unrestricted (any entity type)

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 research programs at the frontiers of discovery in physics. Physics research supported by NSF MPS enables understanding of the fundamental aspects of nature at all scales, from the quantum effects inside atoms to the mysterious dark energy spanning the entire universe.

The core research programs covered by this funding opportunity are:

Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics - Experiment (AMO-Experiment)

Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics - Theory (AMO-Theory)

Elementary Particle Physics - Experiment (EPP-Experiment)

Elementary Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology - Theory (EPP/Cosmology-Theory)

Gravitational Physics

Integrative Activities in Physics (IAP)

Nuclear Physics - Experiment (NP-Experiment)

Nuclear Physics - Theory (NP-Theory)

Particle Astrophysics - Experiment (PA-Experiment)

Physics of Living Systems (PoLS)

Plasma Physics

Quantum Information Science (QIS)

The cross-cutting research programs covered by this funding opportunity are:

Advanced Physics Instrumentation (API)

Focused Research Hubs in Theoretical Physics (FRHTP)

Physics at the Information Frontier (PIF)

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?

47.049Mathematical and Physical SciencesProgram →

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 Physics Research Programs (MPS Physics)”?

According to the official notice, applications are due October 6, 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 Physics Research Programs (MPS Physics)”?

The notice lists eligibility as unrestricted — open to any type of entity — subject to clarifications in the notice's additional eligibility information.

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

Per the notice, total estimated program funding is $180,000,000.

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

Applications are submitted through the official source, not through GrantsJunction. Open the official notice on Grants.gov (opportunity 26-523), 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.

Closes in 1 dayALN 47.049