Division of Chemistry: Disciplinary Research Programs | 22 605

Opportunity Information: Apply for 22 605

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Chemistry (CHE) Disciplinary Research Programs solicitation (Funding Opportunity Number 22-605; CFDA 47.049) is the required submission route for most research proposals targeting six specific CHE core programs: Chemical Catalysis (CAT), Chemical Measurement and Imaging (CMI), Chemical Mechanism, Function and Properties (CMFP), Chemical Synthesis (SYN), Environmental Chemical Sciences (ECS), and Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry (MSN). In practical terms, if a proposal is meant for any of these six programs, it generally must be submitted under this solicitation; proposals sent outside this pathway (when they should have used it) will be returned without review. The opportunity is a discretionary, grant-based funding mechanism supporting fundamental research in chemistry and related areas within NSF's science and technology research mission.

The solicitation’s central purpose is administrative and programmatic alignment: it consolidates how investigators submit proposals to these six disciplinary programs and clarifies what belongs here versus what must go through other NSF mechanisms. While it does not list a specific award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided text, it functions as the umbrella vehicle for standard research proposals in these areas. The original closing date shown is 2024-09-30, though applicants typically need to follow program-specific submission windows and any updated NSF guidance tied to the solicitation or the relevant CHE program.

Several important exceptions are explicitly carved out. Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) proposals are not submitted through this disciplinary research solicitation; they must be submitted through the separate CAREER solicitation and by the CAREER deadline. Similarly, proposals from primarily undergraduate institutions using the Facilitating Research at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions framework, including Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) and Research Opportunity Awards (ROA), must be submitted through the dedicated RUI/ROA solicitation during the appropriate submission window for the relevant CHE disciplinary program. Even when using the RUI/ROA route, proposers are expected to follow both the RUI requirements and the additional guidance laid out in this disciplinary research solicitation to ensure the proposal fits the chemistry program’s expectations.

The solicitation also highlights proposal types that can be submitted on an “anytime” basis, but only after consultation with the relevant NSF Program Officer. These include Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER), Grants for Rapid Response Research (RAPID), Research Advanced by Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (RAISE), and conference proposals. In the same consult-first category are supplemental funding requests to existing awards, which can be submitted at any time with prior coordination with the cognizant Program Officer. The recurring theme is that certain mechanisms are flexible in timing, but they are not meant to be submitted without discussion because NSF often uses these paths for specific situations (early exploratory ideas, urgent rapid-response needs, high-risk interdisciplinary concepts, or targeted add-on funds to an existing award).

Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based non-profit, non-academic organizations and U.S. institutions of higher education. Eligible non-profit, non-academic organizations include entities such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies located in the United States when they are directly tied to educational or research activities. Eligible institutions of higher education include accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities (including community colleges) with a campus located in the United States, submitting on behalf of their faculty members. There is also a specific compliance note for international branch campuses of U.S. institutions: if any project funds would flow to an international branch campus (including via subawards or consultants), the proposal must clearly explain why performance at that international site benefits the project and why the same activities cannot reasonably be performed at the U.S. campus. This effectively raises the bar for justification when project execution extends beyond the domestic campus footprint.

Overall, this opportunity serves as NSF CHE’s main portal for standard disciplinary proposals in six major chemistry research areas, while directing applicants to alternative NSF solicitations for CAREER and RUI/ROA submissions and requiring prior coordination for special proposal types like EAGER, RAPID, RAISE, conferences, and supplements. The key compliance takeaway is simple: if the work is intended for CAT, CMI, CMFP, SYN, ECS, or MSN, this solicitation is usually the mandatory submission route unless one of the stated exceptions applies.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Division of Chemistry: Disciplinary Research Programs" 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 2023-04-26.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-09-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for 22 605

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