Division of Chemistry: Disciplinary Research Programs

The National Science Foundation (NSF) administers the Division of Chemistry: Disciplinary Research Programs (CHE-DRP), a prominent funding opportunity that supports foundational research across six core chemistry subfields. These include Chemical Catalysis (CAT), Chemical Measurement and Imaging (CMI), Chemical Mechanism, Function and Properties (CMFP), Chemical Synthesis (SYN), Environmental Chemical Sciences (ECS), and Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry (MSN). The solicitation, managed under the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, is tailored to strengthen research initiatives that push the frontiers of chemistry and align with national priorities such as sustainability, advanced manufacturing, and quantum systems. CHE-DRP provides support for high-quality, transformative research that may involve individual investigators or small teams. Eligible applicants include accredited U.S. institutions of higher education and nonprofit, non-academic organizations engaged in educational or research activities. The NSF expects to fund approximately 245 awards with a total program funding of around $105 million, subject to availability. Funding is structured through standard or continuing grants. Importantly, cost sharing or matching is not required for this opportunity. Proposals must align with one of the six covered subfields and adhere to submission windows that recur annually: September 1–30 for CAT, CMFP, and SYN programs, and October 1–31 for CMI, ECS, and MSN programs. Applications must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov in accordance with the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Each applicant may serve as PI, Co-PI, or key personnel on up to two proposals across all CHE programs annually, with the caveat that only one proposal may list them as sole PI. The merit review process is grounded in NSF’s principles of intellectual merit and broader impacts. Proposals are reviewed for their potential to advance scientific knowledge and to generate societal benefits, such as STEM workforce development, technological innovation, and community engagement. The evaluation considers qualifications, methodologies, and alignment with program objectives. Projects that integrate education and diversity or enhance research infrastructure receive special attention. Supplemental and special proposal types such as GOALI, EAGER, RAPID, and conference proposals can be submitted year-round after consultation with the appropriate program officer. Notifications of award or declination generally follow within six months of the proposal deadline, and standard NSF reporting requirements apply during the performance period. For additional assistance, each subfield within CHE-DRP provides direct contact information for a dedicated program officer. The program is recurring, with consistent annual submission windows, making it a predictable opportunity for long-term research planning. The next expected application cycle begins in September and October 2026, with NSF continuing to play a pivotal role in advancing chemical science in the U.S. through sustained investment in fundamental research.

Follow PAPPG guidelines closely; confirm limits on number of proposals per PI; consult with program officers if uncertain about eligibility or proposal fit.