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Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI)

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NSF 23-575

Important information about NSF’s implementation of the revised 2 CFR

NSF Financial Assistance awards (grants and cooperative agreements) made on or after October 1, 2024, will be subject to the applicable set of award conditions, dated October 1, 2024, available on the NSF website. These terms and conditions are consistent with the revised guidance specified in the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2024.

Important information for proposers

All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in this funding opportunity and in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted. It is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets these requirements. Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.

Supports developing centers (Phase I) and large, multi-institutional research centers (Phase II) focused on major, long-term chemical research challenges.

Phase I (center development) and Phase II (major research centers)

Supports developing centers (Phase I) and large, multi-institutional research centers (Phase II) focused on major, long-term chemical research challenges.

Synopsis

The Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI) Program supports research centers focused on major, long-term fundamental chemical research challenges. CCIs that address these challenges will produce transformative research, lead to innovation, and attract broad scientific and public interest. CCIs are agile structures that can respond rapidly to emerging opportunities through enhanced collaborations. CCIs integrate research with strong broader impacts, including innovation, education, broadening participation, and informal science communication.

The CCI Program is a two-phase program. Both phases are described in this solicitation. Phase I CCIs receive significant resources to develop the science, management and broader impacts of a major research center before requesting Phase II funding. Satisfactory progress in Phase I is required for Phase II applications; Phase I proposals funded in FY 2024 will seek Phase II funding in FY 2027.

The FY 2024 Phase I CCI competition is open to projects in all fields supported by the Division of Chemistry, and must have scientific focus and the potential for transformative impact in chemistry. The NSF Division of Chemistry particularly encourages fundamental chemistry projects aligned with articulated budget priorities, including Advanced Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductor Research, Biotechnology, Climate Research and Sustainability, Clean Energy, and Quantum Information Science.

The FY 2024 Phase II CCI competition is open to projects funded as Phase I awards in FY 2021. 

The FY 2025 Phase II CCI  competition is open to projects funded as Phase I awards in FY 2022 as well as renewals of Phase  II proposals funded in FY 2020.

 

Program contacts

Administrative Program Support: Valerie Maizel: vmaizel@nsf.gov or (703) 292 - 2529

Katharine J. Covert
kcovert@nsf.gov (703) 292-4950 MPS/CHE
Colby A. Foss
cfoss@nsf.gov (703) 292-5327 MPS/CHE
Greg Collins
grcollin@nsf.gov (703) 292-7064 MPS/CHE

Awards made through this program

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