The U.S. National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories. NSF was established in 1950 by Congress to promote the progress of science, advance the national health, prosperity and welfare, and secure the national defense.
The Catalysis program aims to enhance fundamental understanding in catalytic engineering science and promote the development of catalytic materials and reactions that positively impact society. It focuses on novel concepts for catalytic materials and reactions using synthetic, theoretical, and experimental approaches. Key application areas include fuels, specialty and bulk chemicals, environmental catalysis, biomass conversion, greenhouse gas conversion, solar hydrogen generation, and efficient energy utilization. The program prioritizes heterogeneous catalysis, welcoming gas-solid and liquid-solid heterogeneous catalysis proposals and those incorporating homogeneous catalysis concepts. Special interests include renewable energy-related catalysis, CO2 and methane conversion, catalytic alternatives for traditional processes, environmental catalysis, scalable catalyst synthesis methods, new catalytic materials substituting precious metals, understanding of catalytic materials and mechanisms, development of durable and regenerable catalysts, and advances in catalyst characterization tools. Proposals focusing on biocatalytic processes or reaction engineering aspects should be directed to specific related programs, with potential for interdisciplinary projects being jointly funded. The program encourages innovative proposals and discussions with program directors before submission to ensure alignment and potential for review.