MPS Mathematical Sciences Research Programs

The U.S. National Science Foundation 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, or MPS MathSci. This solicitation consolidates most mathematical sciences funding opportunities within the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences. Supported areas include 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. NSF emphasizes foundational research that can produce incremental advances or ambitious, potentially transformative discoveries, including interdisciplinary work and scientifically justified use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced computation, and automation. The opportunity supports a broad portfolio of mathematical sciences research, infrastructure, collaborative research groups, research training, conferences, and workshops. Research proposals may fit within a single mathematical sciences program or span multiple programs. NSF anticipates projects with a range of budgets, durations, and scopes, with budgets and durations expected to be commensurate with the proposed work. NSF identifies potential measures of success including research publications and scholarly outputs, improved student educational outcomes, support for undergraduate and graduate students or postdoctoral fellows, training in critical areas, establishment or expansion of datasets, and development of new technologies or techniques. NSF also encourages longer awards of up to five years when sustained support would benefit ambitious and transformative research, while noting that project sizes and durations remain subject to program considerations and availability of funds. Estimated total program funding is $200,000,000, with approximately 400 to 600 awards anticipated. Awards may be Standard Grants or Continuing Grants, and the estimated program budget and number of awards are subject to availability of funds. The solicitation does not establish a general minimum or maximum award amount. For conferences and workshops, proposals seeking no more than $50,000 should be submitted at least six months before the event, while proposals seeking more than $50,000 should be submitted at least nine months before the event. Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited. No indirect cost limitation or other budgetary limitation is specified in the solicitation. Eligible applicants are accredited two-year and four-year Institutions of Higher Education that have a campus located in the United States and act 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. If funding will be provided to an international branch campus of a U.S. institution of higher education, the proposer must explain the benefit of performance at that branch campus and justify why the 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 an organization may submit, or the number of proposals a PI or co-PI may submit. Letters of Intent and preliminary proposals are not required. Full proposals may be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov, although collaborative proposals submitted as separate submissions from multiple organizations must use Research.gov. Proposers must follow the applicable NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide and the solicitation's additional preparation instructions. Proposal titles must use the acronym corresponding to the relevant mathematical sciences program, with the most relevant program listed first when multiple programs apply. Predominantly undergraduate institutions should also include RUI in the title as directed. NSF recommends that interdisciplinary proposals be submitted by the earliest target date among the relevant program pages. Proposals are accepted anytime, but target submission dates vary by program and proposers are strongly encouraged to submit by those target dates to ensure consideration during the corresponding panel review cycle. NSF evaluates proposals 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 involve ad hoc review, panel review, or internal NSF review. At least two primary reviewers will be assigned to each research proposal, and in most cases three or more external experts will also participate after the initial compliance check. External review is not required for conference, workshop, or symposium proposals of up to $200,000. All else being equal after merit review, NSF may give preference to institutions with lower indirect cost rates. Award recipients are generally required to submit annual project reports and a public project outcomes report. No fixed final application deadline applies because proposals are accepted anytime. Target dates are program-specific and should be verified on the relevant program webpage. No general award notification date or fixed performance period is stated. Program-specific questions should be directed to the relevant NSF team, including ANT@nsf.gov, Analysis@nsf.gov, AppMath@nsf.gov, PCF@nsf.gov, CompMath@nsf.gov, TGA@nsf.gov, MathBio@nsf.gov, Stat@nsf.gov, or MathInf@nsf.gov, depending on the mathematical sciences program. Research.gov technical assistance is available at rgov@nsf.gov or 1-800-381-1532, and Grants.gov assistance is available at support@grants.gov or 1-800-518-4726. Standard NSF award conditions and reporting requirements apply.

Submit by the relevant program target date to support consideration in the corresponding panel cycle; for proposals spanning programs, use the earliest relevant target date; make the budget and duration commensurate with the work; address Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts; NSF particularly values intellectually ambitious and potentially transformative foundational research, novel interdisciplinary connections, opportunities for exceptional early-career investigators, and scientifically justified use of AI, advanced computation, or automation