Plasma Physics

Proposals in the area of Plasma Physics that are not governed by another funding opportunity should be submitted to the MPS Physics Research Programs (MPS Physics) funding opportunity. Topically appropriate proposals may also be submitted to the Plasma Physics program via NSF meta-programs such as the ECosytem for Leading Innovation in Plasma Science and Engineering (ECLIPSE) and Computational and Data-enabled Science and Engineering (CDS&E).

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Proposal submission Target Date:

• The third Monday in November

• November 16, 2026, for fiscal year 2027

• Proposals submitted after the Target Date of the fiscal year may be considered for funding in the following fiscal year.

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Plasma physics is a study of matter and physical systems whose intrinsic properties are governed by collective interactions of large ensembles of free charged particles. 99.9% of the visible Universe is thought to consist of plasmas. The underlying physics of the collective behavior in plasmas has applications to space physics and astrophysics, materials science, applied mathematics, fusion science, accelerator science, and many branches of engineering.

The Plasma Physics program supports research that can be categorized by several broad, sometimes overlapping, sub-areas of the discipline, including:

• Magnetized plasmas in the laboratory, space, and astrophysical environments;

• Low temperature plasmas;

• Strongly coupled, including dusty and ultra-cold plasmas;

• High energy density plasmas; and

• Intense field-matter interaction in plasmas.

The focus of the Plasma Physics program is to generate an understanding of the fundamental principles governing the physical behavior of a plasma via collective interactions of large ensembles of free charged particles, as well as to improve the basic understanding of the plasma state as needed for other areas of science and engineering.  The program supports experimental, theoretical, and computational studies, including the use and development of novel artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques for expanding the plasma physics knowledge base.

Proposals to the Plasma Physics program should clearly articulate the Broader Impacts of the proposed work.  These may include specific technology developments that could result from the proposed research and/or specific efforts to increase the size and breadth of the plasma science and engineering workforce, as well as specific efforts to engage the broader public in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) enterprise.

The Plasma Physics program prioritizes support for academic faculty, their graduate students and postdoctoral associates.  The program supports workforce development via research-based student training; requests for graduate student tuition support are strongly discouraged.

NSF recognizes that some research projects within this program may require more than three years to realize demonstrable research outcomes. For such projects, proposers should consult the program about submitting a proposal with four- or five-year project duration.

When permitted under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NSF and another funding agency or private foundation, NSF may share information from proposals submitted to this program for consideration of joint funding and may invite employees of such organizations to attend merit review panels as observers. MOUs relevant to the Plasma Physics program currently allow sharing of proposal information with the Department of Energy/Office of Science, the National Nuclear Security Administration, and the Air Force Research Laboratory, among others.