U.S. National Science Foundation · United States

MPS Physics Research Programs (MPS Physics)

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U.S. National Science Foundation expects to make awards, from a total budget of $180 million. Eligible applicant types include unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility".

Deadline: Not published yet — check the official call
Grant amount: $180 million total budget
Funding rate: No mandatory cost sharing stated; funding percentage not stated
Total budget: $180 million
Cost sharing: Not required
Likely applicant types: Companies, SMEs / start-ups, Non-profits, Universities & research, Public bodies, Individuals From source categories or programme rules; the call decides.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Reference: 26-523
Assistance listing: 47.049 Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Last checked: 13 Nov 2026

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About this call

The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (NSF MPS) supports multiple research programs at the frontiers of discovery in physics. Physics research supported by NSF MPS enables understanding of the fundamental aspects of nature at all scales, from the quantum effects inside atoms to the mysterious dark energy spanning the entire universe.

The core research programs covered by this funding opportunity are:

• Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics - Experiment (AMO-Experiment)

• Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics - Theory (AMO-Theory)

• Elementary Particle Physics - Experiment (EPP-Experiment)

• Elementary Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology - Theory (EPP/Cosmology-Theory)

• Gravitational Physics

• Integrative Activities in Physics (IAP)

• Nuclear Physics - Experiment (NP-Experiment)

• Nuclear Physics - Theory (NP-Theory)

• Particle Astrophysics - Experiment (PA-Experiment)

Read the full text

• Physics of Living Systems (PoLS)

• Plasma Physics

• Quantum Information Science (QIS)

The cross-cutting research programs covered by this funding opportunity are:

• Advanced Physics Instrumentation (API)

• Focused Research Hubs in Theoretical Physics (FRHTP)

• Physics at the Information Frontier (PIF)

NSF MPS is particularly interested in intellectually ambitious and potentially transformative foundational research. Proposals need not promise a near-term product, deployment, or commercial outcome, nor need they address later-stage development to be competitive.

Who can apply

Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

Topics

Science and Technology and other Research and Development

Timing

Proposals accepted anytime

How to apply

Apply through the funder’s official page (link below); it states the procedure, documents and deadline.

From the call text

Who can apply: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Company stage: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Single applicant or consortium: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Where applicants must be based: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Where to apply: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Contact

U.S. National Science Foundation · grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov · 703-292-4203

Official sources

Official call page · Funder's programme page

Facts on this page come from the official source and were last checked 13 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.