ECosystem for Leading Innovation in Plasma Science and Engineering

The National Science Foundation (NSF), an independent federal agency dedicated to supporting research across all fields of science and engineering, is offering a funding opportunity through its ECosystem for Leading Innovation in Plasma Science and Engineering (ECLIPSE) program. The ECLIPSE program is a cross-cutting initiative spanning multiple NSF Directorates and Divisions, aiming to promote translational research at the intersection of fundamental plasma science and societal or technological challenges. It builds on NSF’s established legacy in plasma research and intends to enhance collaborative efforts both within the Foundation and potentially with other funding agencies. The ECLIPSE program focuses on applications of plasma science in various technological and societal domains. Plasma science is inherently interdisciplinary, encompassing areas such as plasma physics, plasma chemistry, materials science, and space science. The program aims to harness fundamental plasma investigations to solve real-world problems, particularly in fields supported by the participating NSF units. Projects under ECLIPSE may focus on topics including plasma-surface interactions, atmospheric pressure plasmas, dusty plasmas, sensor development for non-equilibrium plasmas, advanced computational plasma modeling, and novel uses of plasmons and chemical measurements in plasma environments. Eligibility for this program extends to a broad array of research institutions and stakeholders, with a strong encouragement for participation from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), and institutions within EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions. Collaborative proposals that involve these institutions are especially welcomed. Furthermore, the program places an emphasis on efforts to enhance diversity and broaden participation in the plasma science workforce. Workforce development initiatives that support STEM career pathways in plasma-related fields are considered significant Broader Impacts. Proposals submitted under ECLIPSE must clearly articulate a fundamental plasma science or engineering challenge that is broadly relevant across multiple NSF programs. They must also demonstrate how solving this challenge addresses a defined societal or technological need. To be considered an ECLIPSE proposal, applicants must begin their project title with the label “ECLIPSE:” and submit their application through one of the relevant programs listed under “Related Programs.” Misalignment with these criteria may result in the proposal being reviewed under different terms or returned without review. NSF encourages applicants to consult with program officers to ensure programmatic fit. The program is currently active and accepts full proposals via Research.gov or Grants.gov under program code PD 24-110Z. Applicants must adhere to the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and the individual requirements of the program to which they submit. Several participating Divisions maintain different submission windows or deadlines; for example, AGS, CBET, CMMI, and ECCS accept proposals from September 30 to September 29 annually, while PHY has a fixed deadline on the third Monday in November annually. Other divisions, such as CHE and EES, also operate under specific windows or dates. Multiple program officers serve as points of contact for ECLIPSE across its participating Divisions. These include Dr. Jeremiah D. Williams for MPS/PHY, Dr. Mangala Sharma for GEO/AGS, and several officers within ENG/CBET, among others. All use the shared email address eclipse@nsf.gov and have direct phone contacts listed for further inquiries. Applicants should confirm their program fit and deadline alignment through discussions with these officers prior to proposal submission.

Applicants are encouraged to consult NSF Program Officers to confirm relevance and submission alignment.