Chemical Process Systems (CPS)

The Chemical Process Systems (CPS) program is administered by the National Science Foundation, a federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. Within NSF, this program operates under the Directorate for Engineering and the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems. The CPS program is designed to advance foundational knowledge in chemical and biochemical process systems, with the overarching goal of improving efficiency, sustainability, and resilience in processes that convert raw materials into useful products. These innovations are critical to national priorities including manufacturing, biotechnology, energy, food systems, and critical materials, and contribute to strengthening the competitiveness and security of the United States. The program supports a wide range of research topics across the full spectrum of chemical process innovation. Areas of focus include reaction engineering, molecular thermodynamics, reactor design, catalysis, electrochemical systems, separations, and process design. A key emphasis is placed on integrating insights across scales, from molecular-level understanding to full-scale industrial processes. The program encourages interdisciplinary approaches that connect fundamental science to applied engineering challenges, including the development of new technologies and systems that can be implemented in industrial or environmental settings. Funding under this program is intended for fundamental research rather than commercialization or deployment activities. Supported work may involve investigation of reaction mechanisms, active-site structure and function, and advanced characterization techniques such as in situ and operando methods. The program also supports exploration of novel reactor configurations including microreactors, membrane reactors, catalytic systems, and atmospheric plasmas. Additionally, projects may focus on improving durability and integrating processes at the device or system level to enhance overall performance. The CPS program also prioritizes research in catalysis and electrochemical systems that enable energy production, storage, and utilization, as well as waste reduction and materials processing. This includes research relevant to the nuclear fuel cycle and innovations in polymer processing and fuel synthesis. Another major area of interest is chemical and biological separations, including the design of membranes, sorbents, and interfaces for applications such as gas separation, mineral recovery, water purification, and bioprocessing. These efforts aim to develop scalable and efficient separation technologies that address critical resource and environmental challenges. In addition, the program encourages the use of advanced computational and analytical tools in process design and optimization. This includes artificial intelligence, machine learning, uncertainty quantification, and emerging areas such as quantum information science and engineering. These tools may be applied to accelerate material discovery, improve predictive modeling, and optimize complex systems. The CPS program also fosters partnerships with federal agencies, industry stakeholders, and international collaborators to accelerate innovation and ensure that research outcomes have broad impact. Proposals must be submitted in accordance with NSF’s Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide, either through Research.gov or Grants.gov. There are no fixed deadlines, as full proposals are accepted on a rolling basis at any time. Applicants must follow standard NSF submission procedures, including preparation of required proposal components such as project descriptions, budgets, and supporting documentation. All awards are subject to NSF’s standard terms and conditions, and applicants must comply with updated research security policies. There is no stated cost-sharing requirement for this program, and eligibility is unrestricted, allowing a wide range of organizations to apply, including academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, private sector entities, and others capable of conducting relevant research. Program oversight is provided by the CPS Program Team, which can be contacted via email for inquiries. While specific award sizes, timelines, and number of awards are not detailed in the available information, proposals are evaluated based on NSF’s standard merit review criteria, including intellectual merit and broader impacts. The program operates continuously without a defined cycle, enabling ongoing submission and review of proposals.