NSF-DFG Lead Agency Opportunity in Chemistry and Chemical Process and Transport Systems

The NSF-DFG Lead Agency Opportunity in Chemistry and Chemical Process and Transport Systems represents a strategic collaboration between the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation, DFG). This joint funding initiative stems from a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at facilitating collaborative scientific research between U.S. and German research communities. The program is managed through NSF’s Directorate for Engineering and Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, specifically the Divisions of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems (CBET) and Chemistry (CHE), and the DFG’s Divisions of Physics and Chemistry (PC) and Engineering Sciences 1 (ING 1). This funding opportunity allows U.S. and German investigators to submit a single collaborative proposal to either NSF or DFG, depending on where the majority of the research effort lies. The primary goal is to streamline international collaboration by using a unified review process, with each agency funding its respective researchers. Proposals must align with the scientific scope of participating programs in both countries, and teams must identify a lead agency prior to submission. The scope of research supported includes any topic covered by the relevant NSF and DFG divisions, replacing the prior narrower focus on interfacial systems analysis. Applications may be submitted at any time; however, for the 2025 cycle, submissions are only accepted after September 1, 2025. While there is no pre-application requirement or Letter of Intent, applicants are strongly advised to consult with cognizant program officers at both NSF and DFG before submitting a proposal. Applications must conform to the guidelines specified in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) or the Grants.gov Application Guide, depending on the submission method. The anticipated program budget for FY 2025 ranges from $2,000,000 to $5,000,000, and the estimated number of awards is between four and ten, contingent on the availability of funds. Proposals must clearly justify the need for US-German collaboration and specify the distinct contributions of each partner. While cost sharing is prohibited, both U.S. and German budgets must be clearly itemized in accordance with their respective agencies’ guidelines. Proposals that request duplicate funding from both NSF and DFG will be rejected. Eligibility for U.S. applicants includes accredited institutions of higher education and qualified non-profit, non-academic organizations. Individuals may serve as PI or co-PI on only one proposal per annual cycle. German partners are not subject to this limitation. Each submission must include a detailed explanation of how the research will be executed across both countries, with specific roles and facilities listed. German collaborators must also submit corresponding documentation through DFG’s elan system within five days of the NSF submission. The opportunity emphasizes both intellectual merit and broader impacts, such as increasing public engagement and diversifying the STEM workforce. Proposals undergo a joint review process by NSF or DFG, depending on the lead agency, with mutual respect for the resulting funding decisions. Awards from NSF are subject to standard terms and reporting obligations, including annual and final project reports through Research.gov. Contacts for the opportunity include Sachin Velankar and Tomislav Pintauer at NSF and multiple representatives from DFG. Additional information is available via NSF’s and DFG’s respective program pages.