Catalysis and Biocatalysis

About This Grant

The Catalysis and Biocatalysis program primarily supports fundamental and applied research on: Kinetics and mechanisms of important catalyzed chemical reactions as they relate to the production of chemicals, fuels, and specialized materials Characterization of chemical and biochemical phenomena occurring at or near solid surfaces and interfaces Electrocatalytic processes having engineering significance or commercial potential Sustainability, environmental catalysis, and basic research related to green chemistry or utilization of biorenewable resources Kinetic modeling and theory of heterogeneous, homogeneous, and biocatalysis Fundamental aspects of reactive deposition and processing for thin film materials Interactions between chemical reactions and transport processes in reactive systems, and the use of this information in the design or control of complex chemical reactorsThis program promotes multidisciplinary research in: Chemical kinetics of heterogeneous, homogeneous, and biocatalysis Synthesis and processing of chemically functional materials Interfacial, electrochemical, and photochemical reaction processes Theory and modeling of reaction processes at surfaces Synthesis and characterization of catalysts that function at the nanoscaleTypical research topics include: Synthesis and characterization of novel catalytic structures from the atomic through the nanoscale for chemical conversions Mechanisms and kinetics of reactions at solid surfaces and at interfaces (gas-solid, liquid-solid including aqueous-solid) Ab initio and semiempirical kinetic theory and dynamic simulation of complex reactions Utilization of catalytic materials in sensors, electronic devices, coatings; incorporation of components from the nano to micron scale Catalytic reaction engineering of chemical, photo-, electro-, and bio-catalytic processes Accelerated development of chemical processes and materials: combinatorial synthesis and data mining coupled to experimentation and modeling Environmentally beneficial chemical process alternatives; catalytic conversion of biorenewables Energy and natural resource efficiency in chemical processing Utilization of new catalysts for producing nanomaterials Ultra selective reactions and catalysts for fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemical productsThe duration of unsolicited awards is generally one to three years.?? The average annual award size for the program is $100,000.?? Small equipment proposals up to $100,000 will also be considered and may be submitted during these windows.?? Any proposal received outside the announced dates will be returned without review.The duration of CAREER awards is five years.?? The submission deadline for Engineering CAREER proposals is in July every year.?? Please see the following URL for more information: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2005/nsf05027/nsf05027.jspProposals for Conferences, Workshops, and Supplements may be submitted at any time, but must be discussed with the program director before submission.Grants for Rapid Response Research (RAPID) and EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) replace the SGER program.?? Please note that proposals of these types must be discussed with the program director before submission.?? Further details are available in the PAPPG download, available below.??Please refer to the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG), January 2009, (NSF 09-1) when you prepare your proposal.?? The PAPPG is available for download at: http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf091??