Chemical Catalysis  (CAT)

Recent Catalytic Chemistry Workshop

Please see the recent "Catalytic Chemistry Workshop on Defining Critical Directions for the Future"  co-Chaired by Cynthia M. Friend, Harvard University; Professors Melanie S. Sanford, University of Michigan; and Héctor D. Abruña, Cornell University:  http://www.seas.harvard.edu/friend/directory/CatReport-10-03-2012.pdf.

CONTACTS

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Apply to PD 09-6884 as follows:

For full proposals submitted via FastLane: standard Grant Proposal Guidelines apply.
For full proposals submitted via Grants.gov: NSF Grants.gov Application Guide; A Guide for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Applications via Grants.gov Guidelines apply (Note: The NSF Grants.gov Application Guide is available on the Grants.gov website and on the NSF website at: http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grantsgovguide)

Important Notice to Proposers

A revised version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), NSF 13-1, was issued on October 4, 2012 and is effective for proposals submitted, or due, on or after January 14, 2013. Please be advised that, depending on the specified due date, the guidelines contained in NSF 13-1 may apply to proposals submitted in response to this funding opportunity.

Please be aware that significant changes have been made to the PAPPG to implement revised merit review criteria based on the National Science Board (NSB) report, National Science Foundation's Merit Review Criteria: Review and Revisions. While the two merit review criteria remain unchanged (Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts), guidance has been provided to clarify and improve the function of the criteria. Changes will affect the project summary and project description sections of proposals. Annual and final reports also will be affected.

A by-chapter summary of this and other significant changes is provided at the beginning of both the Grant Proposal Guide and the Award & Administration Guide.

DUE DATES

Full Proposal Window:  September 1, 2013 - September 30, 2013

CAT Submission Window

SYNOPSIS

The Chemical Catalysis Program supports experimental and theoretical research directed towards the fundamental understanding of the chemistry of catalytic processes at the molecular level.  The Program accepts proposals on catalytic approaches, which facilitate, direct, and accelerate efficient chemical transformations.  This includes the design and synthesis of catalytic species on the molecular, supramolecular, and nanometer scales as well as studies of the dynamics of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic processes.  Processes of interest include (but are not limited to): polymerization catalysis, single site catalysis, and biologically-inspired catalysis.  Applications of modeling, theory, and simulation to catalytic processes are also relevant.  Fundamental studies of energy-related catalytic processes, CO₂ conversion, electrocatalysis (such as in water splitting and fuel cells), and photocatalysis (such as in solar energy conversion) are welcome in the program.

Submissions that address national needs for sustainability are particularly encouraged.  Examples of sustainable chemistry appropriate for the Chemical Catalysis Program include: 1) the design, preparation and reactivity studies associated with new catalysts and catalytic processes that will replace rare, expensive and/or toxic compounds or nanomaterials with earth abundant, inexpensive and benign alternatives; 2) new chemistries to economically recycle chemicals that cannot be replaced, such as phosphorus and the rare earth elements; 3) new chemistries to convert non-petroleum based sources of organics to feedstock chemicals; and 4) new environmentally-friendly chemical reactions and processes that require less energy, fresh water, and/or organic solvents than current practice.

Investigators are urged to read more about NSF efforts in encouraging sustainable synthesis, and the use and reuse of chemicals and materials in the Dear Colleague Letter on SusChEM:  http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12097/nsf12097.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click."

The Program does not support applied catalysis research that focuses on scale-up, processing, transport dynamics, long-term stability and other engineering aspects of catalysis.  The Program also does not support biocatalysis research with purely biological enzymes and cellular systems.  Catalytic research whose immediate objectives are the synthesis of complex natural products using established catalysts should be submitted to the Chemical Synthesis program. 

THIS PROGRAM IS PART OF

Disciplinary Research Activities

What Has Been Funded (Recent Awards Made Through This Program, with Abstracts)

Map of Recent Awards Made Through This Program