Centers for Chemical Innovation
This funding opportunity supports U.S. research institutions and non-profit organizations in developing collaborative centers that tackle significant challenges in chemistry, with a focus on innovation and broader societal impacts.
The Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI) program, administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences and the Division of Chemistry, is a two-phase funding opportunity designed to support collaborative research centers addressing major challenges in fundamental chemical research. The goal of the program is to catalyze transformative research in chemistry by fostering synergistic, multi-investigator centers that can produce innovative outcomes beyond the capacity of individual investigators or small research teams. Through this initiative, NSF aims to generate new knowledge, support long-term scientific inquiry, and contribute to national scientific priorities, including education, innovation, and broadening participation. Phase I of the CCI program provides up to $1.8 million over three years to establish the foundations of a research center, develop a strategic plan, and pilot broader impact initiatives. Phase II offers significantly larger awards of up to $4 million annually for five years to further develop these centers into major hubs of chemical innovation. Phase II funding is available only to teams that previously received Phase I awards and successfully demonstrated progress in both research and center development. The 2024 competition is open for Phase I proposals in all areas supported by the Division of Chemistry, with strong encouragement for alignment with national priorities like artificial intelligence, sustainability, clean energy, quantum information science, biotechnology, semiconductor research, and advanced manufacturing. Eligible applicants include accredited U.S.-based institutions of higher education (both two- and four-year), as well as non-profit, non-academic organizations such as museums and research laboratories that are involved in educational or research activities. Only one Principal Investigator (PI) may be listed per application, and that PI must be affiliated with the submitting institution. Individuals may only participate in one proposal at each stage of the CCI competition. Importantly, while collaborations with industry, international organizations, and federal laboratories are encouraged, CCI funds may not be used to support these external researchers directly. Instead, they may participate through letters of collaboration and shared resources. The application process begins with a required preliminary proposal, which is due by August 10, 2023. Based on merit review, selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals. Full proposals for Phase II are due October 18, 2023, while invited Phase I full proposals are due February 7, 2024. The next Phase II application window opens October 22, 2024, for FY 2025 awards, and again on November 17, 2025, for FY 2026. These recurring deadlines reflect the program’s long-term planning cycle. Applicants must submit through Research.gov or Grants.gov and comply with the NSF’s Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Detailed submission instructions are provided in the solicitation. CCI proposals must address scientific vision, potential for transformative impact, center synergy, and plans for broader impacts. Broader impacts include innovation strategies, education and professional development plans, efforts to broaden participation of underrepresented groups, and approaches to informal science communication. All Phase I awardees are required to develop strategic plans, including data management and diversity plans, within the first 15 months of the award. These plans will be subject to NSF evaluation prior to Phase II application. Contacts for the CCI program are Katharine J. Covert (kcovert@nsf.gov, 703-292-4950) and Colby A. Foss (cfoss@nsf.gov, 703-292-5327). For technical assistance with proposal submission, applicants may contact the Research.gov Help Desk or Grants.gov Support. Additional information, including potential updates and detailed proposal preparation guides, is available through the CCI Program Page on the NSF website.
Award Range
$4,000,000 - Not specified
Total Program Funding
$9,400,000
Number of Awards
Not specified
Matching Requirement
No
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus. *Who May Serve as PI: While these proposals will reflect the research of many investigators, only one Principal Investigator (PI) should be identified; no co-PIs are permitted. All other investigators are considered Other Senior Personnel (Faculty Associates). The PI must be affiliated with an eligible submitting organization. An investigator may participate (as PI or Other Senior Personnel) in only oneCCI preliminary proposal, one CCI Phase I full proposal, and one CCI Phase II full proposal submitted to this competition. In cases where an individual appears in two or more proposals at the same stage, any submitted proposals involving that person may be returned without review. The Phase II eligibility is limited to teams from the Phase I awards initiated in FY 2021. ;lt;div class="WordSection1gt; The FY 2026 Phase II CCI competition is open to projects funded as Phase I awards in FY 2023 as well as renewals of Phase II proposals funded in FY 2021. ;lt;/div;gt;
Geographic Eligibility
All
Application Opens
July 8, 2025
Application Closes
November 17, 2025
Grantor
National Science Foundation (U.S. National Science Foundation)
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