Thermal Transport Processes

The Thermal Transport Processes (TTP) program, administered by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), is part of the Transport Phenomena cluster under the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems (CBET). NSF is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. This program is one of four within the cluster, alongside Combustion and Fire Systems, Fluid Dynamics, and Particulate and Multiphase Processes, and is focused specifically on engineering research that aims to deepen our understanding and application of thermal transport phenomena. The TTP program invites proposals that aim to advance fundamental knowledge in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat and mass transfer, either by generating new insights or integrating existing knowledge in innovative ways. The program prioritizes research that is transformative and has the potential to significantly enhance understanding, predictability, and applications of thermal transport. Proposals should clearly articulate their contributions to foundational knowledge and, when applicable, state their potential economic, environmental, or societal impacts. Projects that combine analytical, experimental, and numerical approaches to understand, model, and predict thermal phenomena are especially encouraged. Collaborative and interdisciplinary projects that contribute primarily to thermal transport fundamentals are welcomed. Areas of interest under this program are broad and include convection, diffusion, and radiation phenomena; thermodynamic systems such as thermal-electric energy conversion and supercritical cycles; biological heat and mass transport; nanoscale and multiscale thermal processes; and climate-related thermal solutions. Emerging intersections such as quantum technologies and AI/machine learning applications in thermal sciences are also within scope. The program encourages proposals that push the boundaries of current thermal metrology or use AI-driven methodologies integrated with physics-based models to enable novel insights. There are important submission guidelines and boundaries to ensure alignment with NSF’s funding objectives. Proposals primarily involving chemical kinetics should instead be directed to the Combustion and Fire Systems program, and those focused on materials synthesis or characterization should be submitted to relevant programs in the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences. Proposals that seek access to the International Space Station should follow NSF/CASIS solicitations. Proposals with potential relevance to the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) or the Department of Energy (DOE) may be submitted here but may also undergo joint review depending on topic fit and available funds. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis without a fixed deadline, and the program encourages early engagement through consultation with program directors. The standard award period for unsolicited proposals is generally up to three years, with typical single-investigator budgets supporting one graduate student and up to one month of PI time annually. The program supports a range of mechanisms including the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) program, Rapid Response Research (RAPID), Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER), and Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI), though prior contact with the program director is required for RAPID, EAGER, and GOALI submissions. Contact for the TTP program is Dr. Fangyu Cao ([email protected]), available at (703) 292-4736. Proposals can be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov under Program Description PD-23-1406. As of the latest update, the program remains open for submissions throughout the year, without recurring fixed deadlines. Detailed proposal guidelines and compliance requirements are described in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), which must be adhered to for all submissions.