MPS Mathematical Sciences Research Programs (MPS MathSci)

The U.S. National Science Foundation, through its Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, supports research at the frontiers of discovery in theoretical and applied mathematical sciences through the MPS Mathematical Sciences Research Programs, also identified as MPS MathSci. The opportunity consolidates most mathematical sciences funding opportunities within the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences. It supports foundational research spanning pure and applied mathematics and statistics and is intended to advance mathematical knowledge, strengthen the U.S. mathematical sciences workforce, and enable advances across science, engineering, technology, and the economy. NSF is particularly interested in intellectually ambitious and potentially transformative foundational research, including incremental advances, bold high-risk inquiries, interdisciplinary work, opportunities for early-career investigators, and scientifically justified uses of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced computation, and automation. The solicitation encompasses Algebra and Number Theory, Analysis, Applied Mathematics, Combinatorics, Computational Mathematics, Foundations, Geometric Analysis, Mathematical Biology, Probability, Statistics, Topology, Mathematical Sciences Research Infrastructure, Mathematical Sciences Focused Research Groups, and Mathematical Sciences Research Training Groups. Both proposals fitting within a single program and interdisciplinary proposals spanning multiple programs are welcome. Supported work may result in publications and other scholarly outputs, improvements in student educational outcomes, support and training for undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, establishment or expansion of data sets, and development of new technologies or techniques. Conferences and workshops held at U.S.-based institutions may also be proposed when their topical area falls within the scope of the relevant program. Cross-cutting conferences and workshops spanning multiple disciplinary programs must be submitted to the Mathematical Sciences Research Infrastructure program. NSF anticipates 400 to 600 awards and an estimated total program budget of 200000000 dollars, subject to the availability of funds. Awards may be Standard Grants or Continuing Grants. The solicitation does not establish a universal minimum or maximum individual award amount because the portfolio is expected to contain a range of budgets, durations, and scopes, with project budgets and durations commensurate with the proposed work. For conference and workshop proposals seeking no more than 50000 dollars, submission should occur at least six months before the event, while requests exceeding 50000 dollars should be submitted at least nine months before the event. Voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited. No special indirect cost limitation or other budgetary limitation is specified by the solicitation. Eligible submitting organizations are accredited two-year and four-year Institutions of Higher Education with a campus located in the United States, including community colleges, acting on behalf of faculty members; U.S.-located nonprofit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar organizations directly associated with educational or research activities; and federally recognized Tribal Nations. International branch campuses of U.S. institutions may receive project funding when the proposer explains the benefit of performance at the international branch campus and justifies why those activities cannot be performed at the U.S. campus. There are no restrictions or limits on who may serve as principal investigator, the number of proposals per organization, or the number of proposals per principal investigator or co-principal investigator. Full proposals may be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov and must follow the applicable NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide or NSF Grants.gov Application Guide. Collaborative proposals submitted as separate submissions from multiple organizations must use Research.gov. Proposals must identify the appropriate mathematical sciences program through the prescribed program acronym at the beginning of the title, with additional acronyms used when a project spans multiple areas. Predominantly undergraduate institutions use the applicable program acronym followed by RUI. Letters of intent and preliminary proposals are not required. Proposals are accepted anytime, although NSF strongly encourages submission by the target dates published on the individual program webpages to ensure consideration during the corresponding panel review cycle. Conference and workshop proposals are subject to the advance submission periods described in the solicitation. Proposals are evaluated using the National Science Board approved criteria of Intellectual Merit, addressing the potential to advance knowledge, and Broader Impacts, addressing the potential to benefit society and contribute to desired societal outcomes. Review may include ad hoc review, panel review, internal NSF review, or combinations of these approaches. At least two primary reviewers are assigned to each research proposal, and in most cases three or more external experts also participate after the initial compliance check. External review is not required for conference, workshop, or symposium proposals of up to 200000 dollars. Award notifications are made to the submitting organization by an NSF Grants and Agreements Officer. Standard NSF award conditions and reporting requirements apply, including annual project reports and a project outcomes report unless the award notice states otherwise. The solicitation was posted on August 17, 2026 and has no fixed final application deadline because proposals are accepted anytime. Target submission dates vary by individual mathematical sciences program and should be checked on the applicable program webpage. Program-specific questions may be directed to the listed NSF program team, including ANT@nsf.gov for Algebra and Number Theory, Analysis@nsf.gov for Analysis, AppMath@nsf.gov for Applied Mathematics, PCF@nsf.gov for Combinatorics, Foundations, and Probability, CompMath@nsf.gov for Computational Mathematics, TGA@nsf.gov for Geometric Analysis and Topology, MathBio@nsf.gov for Mathematical Biology, Stat@nsf.gov for Statistics, and MathInf@nsf.gov for Focused Research Groups, Research Infrastructure, and Research Training Groups. Research.gov system questions may be directed to rgov@nsf.gov or 1-800-381-1532, and Grants.gov questions may be directed to support@grants.gov or 1-800-518-4726.

Address both Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. Align the project with the appropriate mathematical sciences program and make the budget and duration commensurate with the proposed scope. NSF particularly values intellectually ambitious and potentially transformative foundational research. Where AI, advanced computation, automation, or similar emerging tools are used, make their scientific justification substantive rather than incidental. Submit by the relevant program target date when possible to support consideration during the corresponding panel review cycle.