Environmental Molecular Science Institutes (EMSI)

The Environmental Molecular Science Institutes (EMSI) Program supports cohesive, interdisciplinary group efforts in environmental molecular science by US academic institutions and non-profit non-academic organizations. Many EMSIs include partnerships with industry, international institutions and/or national laboratories. This program will increase our fundamental, molecular-level understanding of natural and anthropogenic processes in the environment. Basic research in these areas underpins our understanding of molecular-scale phenomena in chemistry and geochemistry and informs efforts to prevent and ameliorate environmental problems caused by societal activities. Projects are expected to advance the disciplines of chemistry and the geosciences. They should also focus on increasing our understanding of environmental systems, serve as models for excellence in collaborative interdisciplinary research, and contribute ultimately to the development of beneficial technologies and processes. An EMSI typically supports a group of six or more investigators with complementary research interests. EMSIs require an effective management structure and include a variety of educational and outreach activities. In particular, EMSIs are expected to create broad interdisciplinary educational opportunities. The use of cyberinfrastructure to facilitate and enable collaboration and sharing of data is encouraged. The National Science Foundation and US Department of Energy are partnering in the EMSI Program to ensure that the strongest possible programs are supported with the limited funds available and to concentrate resources to realize measurable progress in focused research areas.