Sustainable Chemistry, Engineering, and Materials (SusChEM)

New NSF Emphasis Area in the NSF-wide SusChEM (SEES) initiative 


Sustainable Chemistry, Engineering, and Materials (SusChEM) is a new emphasis area in the family of programs in the NSF-wide Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability (SEES) initiative.  As with all SEES programs, SusChEM proposals must advance science, engineering, and education to inform societal actions aimed at environmental and economic sustainability.  Proposals are expected to take a systems-based approach to understanding, predicting, and reacting to change.  The SusChEM initiative specifically addresses the interrelated challenges of sustainable supply chains, engineering, production, and environmentally benign use of chemicals and materials by design.

Fundamental research topics of interest in SusChEM include replacement of rare, expensive, and/or toxic chemicals with earth-abundant, inexpensive, and benign chemicals; recycling of chemicals that cannot be replaced; development of non-petroleum based sources of important raw materials; discovery of new separation science that will facilitate recycling; and design of chemical processes to include recovering and recycling.  Separation of critical metals, separation of gaseous byproducts from biomass conversion, water purification techniques, and chemical processes designed for zero waste are appropriate.

“SusChEM” should precede the title in proposals submitted to programs in appropriate open windows.  Contact the program director before submitting.

SusChEM - Dear Colleague Letter link


CBET Contacts for this initiative include:

Barbara Karn
Program Director - Environment, Health, Safety of Nanotechnology (NanoEHS)
703-292-7949;   Cell: 703-340-4986;   bkarn@nsf.gov

Luke Achenie
Program Director - Process and Reaction Engineering
703-292-2098;   lachenie@nsf.gov

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