The plasma physics program funds research in the fundamental physics of plasmas. Research areas include plasma turbulence and shocks, turbulent and nonlocal, collisional transport with and without strong magnetic fields, non-neutral plasmas, cold plasmas, strongly-coupled and dusty plasmas,  laser-plasma interactions, ultra-short pulse and/or ultra-intense laser plasma interactions, high-energy-density plasmas, and low temperature plasmas.  Both theoretical and experimental research is included. Note, that there is often coordination between the Physics Division and other organizations within the Mathematical and Physical Science Directorate as well as in the Engineering and Geophysical Sciences Directorates to co-review proposals that are plasma related but cross disciplinary boundaries.  However, plasma research proposals primarily concerned with applications of plasma physics should be submitted to the appropriate Divisional programs: space plasma physics (http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=11725&org=ATM) , astrophysics (http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13630), and/or engineering (http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13366).  Proposals focused on computational problems in physics requiring significant long-term code development, and/or collaborations with applied mathematicians and computer scientists should apply to Physics at the Information Frontier (PIF). Proposals not addressing very basic issues in plasma physics will be returned without review as inappropriate.

Proposals will be considered for funding jointly by NSF and DOE as established by the NSF/DOE Partnership in Basic Plasma Science and Engineering agreement. Awards from the NSF/DoE Partnership in Basic Plasma Physics and Engineering will be managed by one of following three methods; 1) NSF will provide all of the funds and  manage the proposal, 2) DoE and NSF will fund jointly:  funds from DoE will be transferred to NSF and NSF will manage the proposal, 3) DoE will provide all of the funds and  manage the proposal as a DoE award:  the proposal will be formally withdrawn form the NSF.