Opportunity Information: Apply for 25 532
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is soliciting proposals for the Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs) program (Funding Opportunity Number 25-532). This is a discretionary grant opportunity in the science and technology research and development category (CFDA 47.049). The program is designed to provide long-term, stable support for top-tier materials research and education that tackles fundamental problems in science and engineering. The core idea is to fund center-scale efforts where the scientific goals are too broad or complex for a single lab or a small team, and where real progress depends on coordinated, multidisciplinary collaboration.
MRSECs are campus-based research centers built around a scope, shared vision, and level of integration that benefit from scale and synergy. NSF emphasizes that these centers should bring together researchers across disciplines to work on foundational materials science questions, while also strengthening the surrounding research ecosystem through education, training, and shared infrastructure. The program also aims to reinforce U.S. materials research capacity by supporting infrastructure, encouraging active collaboration across sectors (including with industry and international partners), and contributing to a connected national network of university-based centers with strong research programs, educational activities, and facilities that can serve broader communities.
A proposed MRSEC can be hosted at a single U.S. institution or structured as a multi-institution partnership, depending on what is required to achieve the scientific and educational goals. Each center is expected to be organized around two to three Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs). These IRGs are the major research thrusts of the center, and each one must focus on a fundamental materials science topic aligned with NSF's Division of Materials Research (DMR). In practice, this structure is meant to ensure that the center has a small number of well-developed, coherent research themes that are truly interdisciplinary and center-appropriate, rather than an assortment of loosely connected projects.
Eligibility is limited to Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) that are accredited and have a campus located in the United States, including both two-year and four-year institutions (community colleges included). Proposals must be submitted by the eligible institution on behalf of its faculty members, which reflects the center-based nature of the award and the expectation of institutional commitment and coordination. For U.S. universities that have international branch campuses, NSF adds a specific condition: if any requested funding would flow to an international branch campus (including via subawards or consultant arrangements), the proposal must clearly explain the benefits of performing that work at the international location and provide a strong justification for why the activities cannot be carried out at the U.S. campus.
From a funding standpoint, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $4,500,000, with NSF expecting to make about 10 awards. The original closing date is November 24, 2025. Overall, this competition is aimed at ambitious, integrated materials research centers that can demonstrate both scientific depth and the need for a coordinated, multi-group structure, while also contributing to education and the broader materials research enterprise in the United States.Apply for 25 532
- The 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 2025-01-04.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-11-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $4,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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MRSEC (NSF 25-532) FAQs
What is this funding opportunity?
This is the National Science Foundation (NSF) solicitation for the Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs) program, Funding Opportunity Number 25-532. It is a discretionary grant opportunity in the science and technology research and development category (CFDA 47.049).
What is the purpose of the MRSEC program?
The MRSEC program is intended to provide long-term, stable support for top-tier materials research and education focused on fundamental problems in science and engineering. The program specifically targets research goals that are too broad or complex for a single laboratory or a small team and where meaningful progress requires coordinated, multidisciplinary collaboration.
What kinds of projects are a good fit for an MRSEC proposal?
Projects are a good fit when they require center-scale organization, a shared scientific vision, and integrated collaboration across disciplines. NSF describes MRSECs as efforts where scale and synergy matter, and where coordinated work is needed to address foundational materials science questions.
What is an MRSEC, in practical terms?
An MRSEC is a campus-based research center organized around an integrated scope and shared vision, designed to benefit from scale and synergy. Beyond research, MRSECs are also expected to strengthen the surrounding research ecosystem through education, training, and shared infrastructure.
Do MRSECs have to be at a single university, or can they include multiple institutions?
A proposed MRSEC can be hosted at a single U.S. institution or structured as a multi-institution partnership, depending on what is needed to achieve the scientific and educational goals described in the proposal.
How is an MRSEC expected to be organized scientifically?
Each center is expected to be organized around two to three Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs). These IRGs are the major research thrusts of the center and are intended to ensure the center focuses on a small number of well-developed, coherent, interdisciplinary research themes rather than loosely connected projects.
What is an Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG)?
An IRG is a primary research thrust within an MRSEC. Each IRG must focus on a fundamental materials science topic and be aligned with NSF's Division of Materials Research (DMR). IRGs are meant to be truly interdisciplinary and appropriate in scope for a center-scale award.
What research areas do the IRGs need to align with?
Each IRG must focus on a fundamental materials science topic aligned with NSF's Division of Materials Research (DMR).
Who is eligible to submit an MRSEC proposal?
Eligibility is limited to Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) that are accredited and have a campus located in the United States. This includes both two-year and four-year institutions, including community colleges.
Can individual faculty members submit directly to NSF?
No. Proposals must be submitted by the eligible institution on behalf of its faculty members. This reflects the center-based nature of the program and the expectation of institutional commitment and coordination.
Are community colleges eligible under this solicitation?
Yes. The eligibility description explicitly includes both two-year and four-year accredited U.S. Institutions of Higher Education, including community colleges.
Does the MRSEC program emphasize activities beyond research?
Yes. NSF emphasizes that MRSECs should strengthen the surrounding research ecosystem through education, training, and shared infrastructure, in addition to conducting foundational materials research.
How does NSF describe the broader impact of MRSECs on U.S. materials research capacity?
The program aims to reinforce U.S. materials research capacity by supporting infrastructure, encouraging active collaboration across sectors (including with industry and international partners), and contributing to a connected national network of university-based centers with strong research programs, educational activities, and facilities that can serve broader communities.
Are collaborations with industry allowed or encouraged?
Yes. The program description states that MRSECs are intended to encourage active collaboration across sectors, including with industry partners.
Are international collaborations allowed or encouraged?
Yes. The program description notes collaboration with international partners as part of encouraging active collaboration across sectors.
Can an MRSEC proposal include work at an international branch campus?
NSF includes a specific condition for U.S. universities with international branch campuses. If any requested funding would flow to an international branch campus (including via subawards or consultant arrangements), the proposal must clearly explain the benefits of performing that work at the international location and provide a strong justification for why the activities cannot be carried out at the U.S. campus.
Does the international branch campus condition apply only to direct funding, or also to subawards and consultants?
It applies broadly. NSF states that if any requested funding would flow to an international branch campus, including through subawards or consultant arrangements, the proposal must include the required explanation and justification.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) for this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $4,500,000.
How many awards does NSF expect to make?
NSF expects to make about 10 awards under this competition.
What is the proposal closing date?
The original closing date is November 24, 2025.
What makes an MRSEC proposal "center-appropriate" according to the solicitation summary?
The solicitation summary emphasizes that MRSECs are intended for scientific goals that are too broad or complex for a single lab or small team and that require coordinated, multidisciplinary collaboration. It also emphasizes organizing the center around two to three coherent, interdisciplinary IRGs rather than presenting an assortment of loosely connected projects.
What role do shared facilities or infrastructure play in the MRSEC concept described here?
The program description highlights strengthening the research ecosystem through shared infrastructure and facilities that can serve broader communities, as part of reinforcing U.S. materials research capacity and supporting a national network of university-based centers.
Is the MRSEC intended to connect to a national network of centers?
Yes. NSF describes MRSECs as contributing to a connected national network of university-based centers with strong research programs, educational activities, and facilities that can serve broader communities.
What is the main takeaway for institutions considering applying?
This competition targets ambitious, integrated materials research centers that can show scientific depth, a clear need for coordinated multi-group structure, and a commitment to education and the broader U.S. materials research enterprise.
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