Division of Materials Research: Topical Materials Research Programs: Ceramics (CER), Electronic and Photonic Materials (EPM), Solid State and Materials Chemistry (SSMC) (DMR-TMRP CER, EPM, SSMC)

Research supported by the Division of Materials Research (DMR) focuses on advancing fundamental understanding of materials, materials discovery, design, synthesis, characterization, properties, and materials-related phenomena. DMR awards enable understanding of the electronic, atomic, and molecular structures, mechanisms, and processes that govern nanoscale to macroscale morphology and properties; manipulation and control of these properties; discovery of emerging phenomena of matter and materials; and creation of novel design, synthesis, and processing strategies that lead to new materials with unique characteristics. These discoveries and advancements transcend traditional scientific and engineering disciplines. The Division supports research and education activities in the United States through funding of individual investigators, teams, centers, facilities, and instrumentation. Projects supported by DMR are essential for the development of future technologies and industries that meet societal needs, as well preparation of the next generation of materials researchers.

This solicitation applies to the following three DMR Topical Materials Research Programs that fund research and educational projects by individual investigators or small groups: Ceramics (CER), Electronic and Photonic Materials (EPM), and Solid State and Materials Chemistry (SSMC). It does not apply to the following five DMR Topical Materials Research Programs, which have their own solicitations: Biomaterials (BMAT), Condensed Matter Physics (CMP), Metals and Metallic Nanostructures (MMN), and Polymers (POL) (NSF 20-589), and Condensed Matter and Materials Theory (CMMT) (NSF 20-582).

All proposals submitted to these three DMR Topical Materials Research Programs (other than the following exceptions) must be submitted through this solicitation, otherwise they will be returned without review.

Exceptions are proposals through mechanisms that have their own solicitation, such as the Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) and the Facilitating Research at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions: Research in Undergraduate Institutions and Research Opportunity Awards (RUI/ROA) program. CAREER proposals must be submitted to the CAREER program by the deadline date specified in the program solicitation. RUI/ROA proposals have no deadline: they should be submitted through the RUI/ROA solicitation, but are subject to the same submission constraints as other proposals submitted to the DMR Topical Materials Research Programs. Proposals for EAGER, RAPID, RAISE, and conferences, as well as supplemental funding requests for existing grants, are not subject to the limitations in this solicitation and may be submitted any time after consultation with and approval from the cognizant Program Officer(s). EAGER/RAPID/RAISE proposals submitted without prior approval by a Program Officer will be returned without review.