Fluid Dynamics

The Fluid Dynamics program is part of the Transport Phenomena cluster, which includes also 1) Combustion and Fire Systems; 2) Particulate and Multiphase Processes; and 3) Thermal Transport Processes.

The Fluid Dynamics program supports fundamental research toward gaining an understanding of the physics of various fluid dynamics phenomenon. Proposed research should contribute to basic scientific understanding via experiments, theoretical developments, and computational discovery. Encouraged are proposals that focus on high Reynolds number turbulence scaling and modeling.

Major areas of interest and activity in the program include:

• Turbulence and Transition: high Reynolds number experiments; large eddy simulation; direct numerical simulation; transition to turbulence; 3-D boundary layers; separated flows; multi-phase turbulent flows; flow control and drag reduction.
• Bio-inspired Fluid Mechanics: fluid-structure interactions; biological flow processes.
• Flow of Complex Fluids: non-Newtonian fluid mechanics; viscoelastic flows.
• Micro- and Nano-fluidics: micro-and nano-scale flow phenomena. 
• Interfacial Interactions and Instabilities: hydrodynamic stability; droplet interactions.
• Wind and Ocean Energy Harvesting: focused on fundamental fluid dynamics phenomena associated with renewal energy.

Proposals on wind and ocean energy harvesting and on environmental flows could be submitted to the program when the proposed research is focused on fundamental fluid dynamics phenomena or on development of novel computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approaches, rather than applications or devices and materials. Innovative proposals outside of these specific interest areas may be considered; however, prior to submission, it is recommended that the PI contact the Program Director to avoid the possibility of the proposal being returned without review.

Fluid-Structure Interactions: This is a NSF-AFOSR (Air Force Office of Scientific Research) joint funding area focusing on theory, modeling and/or experiments for high-speed applications. A small number of awards (depending on availability of funds and proposal quality) will be provided, and will be jointly reviewed by NSF and AFOSR using the NSF panel format. Actual funding format and agency split for a particular winning proposal will be determined after the proposal selection process. The AFOSR program that participates in this initiative is the Program on High Speed Aerodynamics (Program Officer: Dr. Ivett Leyva).

The duration of unsolicited awards is generally one to three years. The typical award size for the program is around $100,000 per year. Proposals requesting a substantially higher amount than this, without prior consultation with the Program Director, may be returned without review. Small equipment proposals of less than $100,000 will also be considered and may be submitted during the annual proposal submission window.    

INFORMATION COMMON TO MOST CBET PROGRAMS

Proposals should address the novelty and/or potentially transformative nature of the proposed work compared to previous work in the field. Also, it is important to address why the proposed work is important in terms of engineering science, as well as to also project the potential impact on society and/or industry of success in the research. The novelty or potentially transformative nature of the research should be included, as a minimum, in the Project Summary of each proposal.

Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) program proposals are strongly encouraged. Award duration is five years. The submission deadline for Engineering CAREER proposals is in July every year. Please see the CAREER URL here for more information. 

Proposals for Conferences, Workshops, and Supplements: PIs are strongly encouraged to discuss their requests with the Program Director before submission of the proposal.

Grants for Rapid Response Research (RAPID) and EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) are also considered when appropriate. Please note that proposals of these types must be discussed with the program director before submission. Further details are available in the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) download found here. Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI) proposals that integrate fundamental research with translational results and are consistent with the application areas of interest to each program are also encouraged. Please note that GOALI proposals must be submitted during the annual unsolicited proposal window for each program. More information on GOALI can be found here.

COMPLIANCE: Proposals which are not compliant with the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) will be returned without review.

Unsolicited proposals received outside of the Announced Proposal Window dates will be returned without review.