Future Manufacturing

The National Science Foundation (NSF), an independent federal agency dedicated to advancing science and engineering through research and education, has released the Future Manufacturing (FM) grant solicitation (NSF 24-525). This cross-directorate program engages various NSF directorates, including Engineering, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, STEM Education, and others. The FM initiative supports fundamental research aimed at enabling transformative manufacturing capabilities that currently do not exist. It targets barriers—scientific, technological, educational, and social—to catalyze innovations that enhance the U.S. manufacturing ecosystem, address urgent societal challenges such as climate change and health disparities, and foster a robust, diverse STEM workforce. The solicitation outlines two funding tracks: Future Manufacturing Research Grants (FMRG), providing up to $3 million for four years, and Future Manufacturing Seed Grants (FMSG), offering up to $500,000 for two years. Funded projects must involve multidisciplinary convergence research in one or more of three thrust areas: Cyber Manufacturing, Eco Manufacturing, and Biomanufacturing. These projects are expected to introduce novel concepts that diverge significantly from current manufacturing paradigms. Applicants are encouraged to form diverse teams that integrate engineering, social sciences, education, and other disciplines, with an emphasis on broadening participation from underrepresented institutions such as community colleges and minority-serving institutions. Eligibility is broad, allowing participation from U.S.-based institutions of higher education, non-profit research organizations, for-profit companies, state and local governments, and federally recognized Tribal Nations. Each proposal must include a detailed plan for workforce development, particularly for training a new generation of skilled technicians, engineers, and scientists in the domain of future manufacturing. Educational components should demonstrate use of evidence-based methods and include assessment mechanisms. FMRG proposals must additionally submit a supplementary “Education and Workforce Development Plan” and a “Project Management and Collaboration Plan.” Applications must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov in accordance with the current NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Deadlines are set for April 11, 2024, and June 18, 2025. There is no preliminary proposal or letter of intent required. An optional component focusing on the Future of Work is encouraged, allowing researchers to explore how emerging technologies affect the workforce. Evaluation of proposals will consider both intellectual merit and broader societal impacts, including potential to advance national goals related to economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and STEM inclusivity. Approximately 16 awards are anticipated each year, subject to availability of funds. NSF emphasizes collaboration and encourages partnerships with industry, especially under its GOALI initiative. Awardees are required to attend a kickoff meeting and annual grantees' conferences in Washington, DC. Contact information for numerous program officers is provided for inquiries related to specific directorates or scientific domains. Webinars to discuss the FM program and answer solicitation questions were scheduled for February 2, 2024, and February 28, 2025. Detailed information, including recordings and transcripts, will be available on the NSF Future Manufacturing program webpage. NSF invites applicants to consider the global context of their proposals and to align their efforts with national strategies such as the CHIPS and Science Act and the Executive Order on Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing.