Combustion and Fire Systems

The Combustion and Fire Systems (CFS) program, under the National Science Foundation (NSF), supports fundamental research aimed at advancing knowledge in combustion science, fire prevention, and fire mitigation. This program is part of the Transport Phenomena cluster, which also includes the Fluid Dynamics, Particulate and Multiphase Processes, and Thermal Transport Processes programs. The overarching goal is to create scientific knowledge that contributes to clean energy development, environmental protection, public safety, and wildfire prevention and suppression. The program prioritizes several research areas. Basic combustion science focuses on understanding the combustion of gas, liquid, and solid fuels across various conditions, including supercritical states. Research may also include flame synthesis of materials, advanced propulsion concepts, and chemical kinetics modeling. Combustion science related to clean energy emphasizes improving efficiency, reducing pollution, and advancing renewable and carbon-free fuel technologies. Specific topics include biomass pyrolysis, gasification, oxidation, and carbon capture technologies. Fire prevention research targets wildland and structural fire mitigation, emphasizing fire spread prediction, suppression, and control, especially in wildland-urban interfaces. Turbulence-chemistry interactions explore the complex interplay between turbulent flows and chemical kinetics, including multi-scale computational modeling and innovative diagnostic tools. Proposals are encouraged to address novel and transformative aspects of the proposed research, demonstrating clear societal or industrial impacts. The program supports a mix of experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches. Collaboration with the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) may occur for projects under turbulence-chemistry interactions, with joint reviews and shared funding. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, and other entities engaged in fundamental research. Proposals should include a clear description of their novelty, transformative potential, and broader impacts. Budgets generally support graduate students, one month of principal investigator time per year, and other essential resources. Proposals exceeding standard budgets should be discussed with the program director before submission. The program accepts full proposals year-round through Research.gov and Grants.gov, adhering to the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) program proposals are encouraged, with annual deadlines in July. Other funding mechanisms, including Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER), Rapid Response Research (RAPID), and Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI), are also available but require prior discussion with program directors. Applicants are advised to consult with program officers before submitting proposals, especially for projects outside the defined priority areas, to ensure alignment with program goals and prevent return without review. Additional details, including recently funded projects, are available on the NSF website. For inquiries, applicants can contact program directors Harsha Chelliah or Fangyu Cao