Mathematical Sciences Research Institutes

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS) under the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, invites proposals for the Mathematical Sciences Research Institutes program. This initiative supports U.S.-based research institutes that serve as national resources to advance mathematical sciences research, foster discovery and dissemination, and deepen connections between mathematics and other disciplines. The program was initially established in 1980 and continues to evolve to meet the growing and changing needs of the mathematical sciences community. Supported institutes have historically played critical roles in mathematical innovation and the development of talent across academia and industry. The primary objectives of the program are to enhance the quality and reach of mathematical sciences research, encourage collaboration across disciplines, and build a diverse and inclusive mathematical sciences workforce. The program specifically welcomes both new proposals and renewal applications from previously funded U.S.-based institutes. Institutes are expected to engage the broader mathematical sciences community, including underrepresented groups and researchers from varied institution types, and must operate at a national scale. NSF emphasizes outreach, student and postdoctoral training, and dissemination of findings as vital components of institute activities. Eligible applicants include accredited U.S. institutions of higher education (including two- and four-year colleges) and nonprofit, non-academic organizations directly involved in educational or research endeavors, such as independent museums, research labs, and professional societies. Consortia are permitted as long as one entity assumes overall management responsibility. No restrictions are placed on the number of proposals per organization or per investigator. Proposals must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov following the current NSF Proposal and Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Full proposals are due by 5 p.m. local time on March 14, 2024, and again on March 14, 2029, for the next cycle. Submissions must include detailed project descriptions, governance and management plans, budgets with justifications, and strategies for evaluation, dissemination, and broadening participation. Proposals are evaluated based on intellectual merit and broader impacts, as well as additional criteria specific to leadership, governance, scope, and national significance. The anticipated funding total is up to $40 million, with awards ranging from $2.5 million to $6 million per year for up to five years. NSF expects to fund between five and eight institutes in this cycle. Continued support after the initial five-year term depends on a competitive renewal process. Reporting requirements include detailed progress documentation, including participant data and financial summaries, to be posted both to NSF and the institute’s website. For assistance, proposers may contact the listed program officers at the Division of Mathematical Sciences. Key contacts include Joanna Kania-Bartoszynska (jkaniaba@nsf.gov, 703-292-4881) and others as listed in the solicitation. NSF strongly encourages collaboration among institutes to maintain a coordinated network and maximize collective impact.