Thermal Transport Processes

The Thermal Transport Processes (TTP) program supports engineering research aimed at gaining a basic understanding of the thermal transport phenomena and processes that are driven by thermal gradients, and manipulation of these processes to achieve engineering goals.  Of specific interest is research that explores active and passive control of the dynamics of thermal processes, and simulations and experiments that bridge and model information across multiple scales.  Application areas of interest include:

• Cooling and heating of components, devices and equipment.
• Thermal transport processes in energy conversion & storage, power generation, physiologic systems, and propulsion. 

Priority is given to insightful investigations of fundamental problems with clearly defined economic, environmental and societal impacts.

Note that proposals that focus primarily on the following issues are NOT of interest to the TTP program:

• Designing materials and their thermal properties
• Thermal transport in materials synthesis and/or processing; these proposals should be directed to the Materials Engineering and Processing (MEP) program in ENG/CMMI or the Division of Materials Research (DMR) in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) Directorate.
• Mass transport or system design-oriented efforts.

NOTE: Proposals at the interface of computational/mathematical sciences and thermal transport are encouraged, but should be submitted to the Computational and Data-Enabled Science & Engineering (CDS&E) Program.  Proposals that deal with the development and characterization of low cost, sustainable and scalable-manufactured materials with improved thermal properties are encouraged and should be submitted to this program (1406) with the Proposal Title as: ‘SusChEM: Title of Your Proposal'.  For more information on SusChEM-related proposals click here.

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.

The duration of unsolicited awards is generally one to three years.  The typical award size is approximately $100,000 per year.  Proposals requesting a substantially higher amount than this, without prior consultation and approval from the Program Director, may be returned without review.

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 project the potential impact on society and/or industry if the research is successful.  The novelty or potentially transformative nature of the research should be included, at 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.