Multilateral Partnerships Leveraging Excellence

The Multilateral Partnerships Leveraging Excellence (MultiPLEx) program is a funding initiative by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), specifically managed by the Office of International Science and Engineering (OD/OISE). As a part of NSF’s commitment to advancing global scientific collaboration, MultiPLEx is designed to promote and support visionary, high-impact international research partnerships. It emphasizes a multilateral approach involving the U.S. and at least two other countries to collaboratively address urgent global challenges. These partnerships are expected to foster scientific and societal breakthroughs that could not be achieved through bilateral or domestic collaborations alone. The program encourages proposals that align with critical and emerging technologies and address issues of global importance. Projects must clearly demonstrate how the international collaboration enhances the research scope and broadens the potential impact beyond what a more narrowly defined team could achieve. Proposals must involve partners from at least two non-U.S. countries and are particularly encouraged to include collaborators from distinct geographic regions, emphasizing the program's global inclusiveness. MultiPLEx provides financial support exclusively to the U.S.-based research team. International partners are expected to secure their own funding from their respective national agencies or other sources. The typical duration of a MultiPLEx award is up to three years. To maintain the integrity of its unique scope, this program only accepts proposals that fall outside the remit of other existing NSF OISE or directorate programs. Submissions that do not meet this criterion may be redirected or declined without review. While MultiPLEx operates on a rolling submission basis, the NSF may occasionally issue a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) to highlight specific priority areas for proposal submission. Investigators wishing to submit proposals outside these targeted calls are encouraged to consult with a MultiPLEx program director to confirm the suitability of their project. Proposals must adhere to the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide when submitted via Research.gov, or follow the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide when applying through Grants.gov. The program maintains a flexible timeline with no formal deadlines, allowing proposals to be submitted at any time. There are no stated pre-application requirements, and the lack of a formal close date supports NSF’s objective of fostering agile and timely responses to emerging global issues. Total program funding is estimated at $2,500,000, with award floors starting at $200,000 and ceilings left unspecified in the solicitation. NSF award terms updated as of October 1, 2024, apply to all grants made thereafter. Program contacts include Cate Flanley, Sirin Tekinay, Maija M. Kukla, and Stacey D. Standridge, all of whom are reachable via their NSF email addresses and office phone numbers. Researchers are encouraged to reach out for guidance, especially if they are unsure whether their proposed topic aligns with the program’s objectives. As the program continues to evolve with global needs, NSF reaffirms its support for international collaboration as a driver of innovation and scientific excellence.