NSF-DFG Lead Agency Activity in Measurements of Interfacial Systems at Scale with In-situ and Operando aNalysis | 23 583

Opportunity Information: Apply for 23 583

The NSF-DFG Lead Agency Activity in Measurements of Interfacial Systems at Scale with In-situ and Operando aNalysis (Funding Opportunity Number 23-583) is a joint US-German research funding opportunity built under a formal Memorandum of Understanding between the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG). Its main purpose is to make it easier for researchers in the United States and Germany to work together by allowing them to submit one integrated collaborative proposal that goes through one coordinated review process, while NSF and DFG still fund their respective country teams separately and retain control of their own award budgets.

Scientifically, the program targets research on interfacial systems, meaning the regions where different phases meet (for example solid-liquid, solid-gas, liquid-gas, electrode-electrolyte, membrane-fluid, or nanoparticle-fluid interfaces). These interfaces often control performance in catalysis, energy conversion, separations, environmental chemistry, and many industrial processes, but they are also notoriously difficult to study because reactions and transport happen simultaneously and conditions can change quickly across very small distances. The opportunity is specifically aimed at advancing and applying next-generation in-situ and operando measurement approaches, meaning tools that can observe what is happening at the interface while the system is actually operating under realistic conditions rather than simplified laboratory stand-ins. The solicitation highlights capabilities such as advanced imaging, spectroscopy, scattering methods, and the complementary theoretical or computational techniques needed to interpret complex measurements and reach molecular- or atomic-level understanding.

The topic scope is broad but clearly centered on interface-resolved chemistry, physics, and engineering. Example research areas include understanding dynamic interfacial reactions and coupled physical/chemical processes at atomic and molecular scales in settings such as heterogeneous catalysis, electrochemical interfaces, nanoparticle interactions with fluids or substrates, molecular and atomic separations, biological surface-environment interactions, and wetting phenomena. It also includes discovering new reaction pathways for chemical synthesis and functionalization that occur at interfaces, uncovering the mechanisms that govern sorption and transport through membranes or on nanomaterials, studying surface-templated synthesis and assembly as well as nucleation during crystallization, and developing entirely new methodologies for interfacial characterization or for understanding particle production and aerosol behavior in relevant processes. Across these themes, the program explicitly connects fundamental measurement science to system-realistic conditions that matter for current societal needs, including climate solutions and more sustainable chemical processes.

From a submission and review standpoint, the defining feature is the lead agency model. Either NSF or DFG serves as the Lead Agency for a given proposal depending on where the largest proportion of the research effort sits, and the proposal is reviewed once under that lead organization rather than being evaluated independently in both countries. Even though the review is unified, the funding decisions are coordinated across the relevant participating units: NSF’s Division of Chemistry (CHE) and Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems (CBET), and DFG’s Divisions of Physics and Chemistry (PC) and Engineering Sciences (ING 1). Applicants are expected to ensure their project fits within the normal research scope of these divisions and to follow the standard budget sizes and project durations typical of the specific programs they are targeting within CHE, CBET, PC, or ING 1.

Collaboration is not treated as optional window dressing in this call. Proposals must clearly justify why a US-German team is necessary, spelling out the unique expertise, facilities, methods, or perspectives each side brings and how the combined partnership creates real synergy that could not be achieved as effectively by a single-country effort. After the single review process is completed by the lead agency, the outcome is shared among the appropriate NSF and DFG divisions before final recommendations and country-specific awards are made.

Key administrative details from the announcement include that the instrument is a discretionary grant, the activity category is science and technology research and development, and the CFDA numbers listed are 47.041 and 47.049. The opportunity anticipated around 10 awards, with an award ceiling listed at $700,000. The original closing date shown in the source information is October 31, 2023 (with a creation date of May 5, 2023). Eligibility is listed broadly as “Others,” with applicants directed to consult the opportunity’s eligibility clarification text, and German applicants are pointed to DFG’s call and proposal information page for their side of the process.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NSF-DFG Lead Agency Activity in Measurements of Interfacial Systems at Scale with In-situ and Operando aNalysis" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041, 47.049.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 05, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 31, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $700,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for 23 583

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