The Office for Research Development is requesting letters of intent for the National Science Foundation (NSF) – Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC) 2019 program
Research Office Letter of Intent Deadline: January 25, 2019, 5 pm PT.
Agency Deadline: Preliminary Proposal: June 24, 2019
Full Proposal: MRSEC full proposals may be submitted by invitation only.
Anticipated Funding Amount: $31,500,000
Estimated Number of Awards: 8-10
Limit on Number of Proposals per organization: 1
Only one MRSEC preliminary proposal may be submitted by any one organization as the lead institution in this competition. An institution proposing research in several groups should submit a single MRSEC proposal with multiple Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs). An MRSEC proposal must contain a minimum of 2 IRGs and a maximum of 3 IRGs. The IRGs in a center may be thematically related, or they may address different aspects of materials science typically supported by DMR. A single center at an organization allows efficient use of resources, including common infrastructure, and better coordination of education and other activities of the center.
Synopsis of Program:
The Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs) program provides sustained support of interdisciplinary materials research and education of the highest quality while addressing fundamental problems in science and engineering. Each MRSEC addresses research of a scope and complexity requiring the scale, synergy, and multidisciplinarity provided by a campus-based research center. The MRSECs support materials research infrastructure in the United States, promote active collaboration between universities and other sectors, including industry and international organizations, and contribute to the development of a national network of university-based centers in materials research, education, and facilities. An MRSEC may be located at a single institution, or may involve multiple institutions in partnership, and is composed of up to three Interdisciplinary Research Groups, IRGs, each addressing a fundamental materials science topic aligned with the Division of Materials Research, DMR.
General guidance for the preparation of letters of intent to the Research Office:
MRSEC/IRG PROCESS:
Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) Summary (1 page)