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Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Faculty Catalyst Awards (MPS-AFCA)

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NSF 23-628

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 MPS-Ascending postdoctoral research fellows who transition into tenure track faculty positions in any scientific area supported by the following divisions: Astronomical Sciences, Chemistry, Materials Research, Mathematical Sciences, and Physics.

MPS-Ascend Faculty Catalyst Awards

Supports MPS-Ascending postdoctoral research fellows who transition into tenure track faculty positions in any scientific area supported by the following divisions: Astronomical Sciences, Chemistry, Materials Research, Mathematical Sciences, and Physics.

Synopsis

The purpose of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Faculty Catalyst Awards (MPS-Ascend Faculty Catalyst Awards, MPS-AFCA) is to support successful MPS-Ascending Postdoctoral Research Fellows (MPS-Ascend Fellows) as they transition into tenure track (or equivalent) faculty positions at Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) in any scientific area within the purview of the five MPS Divisions: the Divisions of Astronomical Sciences (AST), Chemistry (CHE), Materials Research (DMR), Mathematical Sciences (DMS), and Physics (PHY). The program is intended to support these investigators of significant potential by providing them with resources for research and broadening participation activities that are in addition to initial resources typically provided through institutional start-up packages. This support is strategically designed to enable their continued scientific contributions and their exemplary leadership in the area of broadening participation. MPS-Ascend Postdoc Fellows are invited to apply for an MPS-Ascend Faculty Catalyst Award after consultation with the managing or cognizant Program Director of the MPS-Ascend Postdoc Fellowship Award.

Program contacts

Name Email Phone Organization
Catalina Achim
cachim@nsf.gov (703) 292-2048 MPS/OAD
Louise O. Edwards
loedward@nsf.gov (703)292-7597 MPS/AST
Samy El-Shall
selshall@nsf.gov (703) 292-7416 MPS/CHE
Nitsa Rosenzweig
nirosenz@nsf.gov (703) 292-7256 MPS/DMR
Swatee Naik
snaik@nsf.gov (703) 292-4876 MPS/DMS
Kathleen V. McCloud
kmccloud@nsf.gov (703) 292-8236 MPS/PHY

Awards made through this program

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