Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry  (MSN)

CONTACTS

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Apply to PD 09-6885 as follows:

For full proposals submitted via FastLane: standard Grant Proposal Guidelines apply.
For full proposals submitted via Grants.gov: NSF Grants.gov Application Guide; A Guide for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Applications via Grants.gov Guidelines apply (Note: The NSF Grants.gov Application Guide is available on the Grants.gov website and on the NSF website at: http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grantsgovguide)

Important Notice to Proposers

A revised version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), NSF 13-1, was issued on October 4, 2012 and is effective for proposals submitted, or due, on or after January 14, 2013. Please be advised that, depending on the specified due date, the guidelines contained in NSF 13-1 may apply to proposals submitted in response to this funding opportunity.

Please be aware that significant changes have been made to the PAPPG to implement revised merit review criteria based on the National Science Board (NSB) report, National Science Foundation's Merit Review Criteria: Review and Revisions. While the two merit review criteria remain unchanged (Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts), guidance has been provided to clarify and improve the function of the criteria. Changes will affect the project summary and project description sections of proposals. Annual and final reports also will be affected.

A by-chapter summary of this and other significant changes is provided at the beginning of both the Grant Proposal Guide and the Award & Administration Guide.

DUE DATES

Full Proposal Window:  October 1, 2013 - October 31, 2013

MSN Submission Window

If one of the dates falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date becomes the next business day.

SYNOPSIS

The Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry (MSN) Program focuses on basic research that addresses fundamental questions regarding the chemistry of macromolecular, supramolecular and nanoscopic species and other organized structures and that advances chemistry knowledge in these areas.  Research of interest to this program will explore novel chemistry concepts in the following topics: (1) The development of novel synthetic approaches to clusters, nanoparticles, polymers, and supramolecular architectures; innovative surface functionalization methodologies; surface monolayer chemistry; and template-directed synthesis.  (2) The study of molecular scale interactions that give rise to macromolecular, supramolecular or nanoparticulate self-assembly into discrete structures; and the study of chemical forces and dynamics that are responsible for spatial organization in discrete organic, inorganic or hybrid systems (excluding extended solids).  (3) Investigations that utilize advanced experimental or computational methods to understand or to predict the chemical structure, unique chemical and physicochemical properties, and chemical reactivities that result from the organized or nanoscopic structures.  Research in which theory advances experiment and experiment advances theory synergistically is of special interest.

Submissions that advance MSN chemistry knowledge important for addressing national needs for sustainability are of particular interest. Examples include: 1) transformative approaches to the efficient and inexpensive synthesis of recyclable polymers or polymers using renewable feedstocks; 2) innovative research to enhance our understanding of the supramolecular recognition of critical elements essential for efficient sequestration and recycling of such elements; 3) innovative research to enhance our understanding of the supramolecular chemistry important for the design and synthesis of catalysts that rival enzymes in substrate specificity, stereoselectivity, yields, and efficiency (selection or genetic engineering of enzymes or screening of combinatorial libraries of catalysts are not of interest); 4) novel chemistry of nanostructures comprised of earth abundant elements to substitute for nanostructures that contain critical elements; and 5) innovative approaches to the preparation of novel nanostructures of critical elements for efficient/sustainable use of these elements.  The MSN Program encourages white paper submissions for potential EAGER proposals on highly innovative and potentially transformative ideas on these topics.

Proposals for which the primary focus is on extended solids, materials research, biological properties, device properties, or engineering are not appropriate for this program, and the principal investigator is encouraged to look into corresponding programs at NSF for proposal submission.

THIS PROGRAM IS PART OF

Disciplinary Research Activities

What Has Been Funded (Recent Awards Made Through This Program, with Abstracts)

Map of Recent Awards Made Through This Program

News

Discoveries