The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (NSF MPS) supports multiple research programs in chemistry. These programs support fundamental discovery, invention and innovation conducted by a large and vibrant research community spanning all U.S. regions.
Research projects supported by these programs are essential for the discovery and development of innovations and technologies that grow the U.S. economy, strengthen national security and improve quality of life.
This research creates a strong scientific foundation for future technologies and the chemical industry, which is central to the U.S. economy and our daily lives. According to the International Trade Administration, the chemical industry converts raw materials like oil, natural gas, water, metals and minerals into more than 70,000 different products, from agricultural fertilizers and plastics to batteries and pharmaceuticals.
NSF MPS programs also play a critical role in training students and early-career researchers across the U.S. who will become the next generation of chemical scientists, engineers, educators and technicians.
On this page
Chemistry research programs
MPS invests in experimental and theoretical research across an array of chemistry research programs. The programs support individual researchers, small teams and interdisciplinary research spanning multiple programs.
Chemical Catalysis
Supports experimental and computational research directed towards the fundamental chemistry aspects of catalytic processes at the molecular and/or bond level of understanding.
Chemical Measurement and Imaging
Supports research and development of new measurement and chemical imaging tools that identify and quantify chemical substances, their properties and processes.
Chemical Mechanism, Function and Properties
Supports physical organic and physical inorganic chemistry research on the nature of chemical mechanism, function and structure property studies.
Chemical Structure and Dynamics
Supports experimental and applied computational physical chemistry research on the nature of chemical structure and bonding, electronic structure, and chemical dynamics.
Chemical Synthesis
Supports research that generates new fundamental knowledge and understanding of synthetic methodologies and the synthesis of complex and/or challenging chemical structures.
Chemical Theory, Models and Computational Methods
Supports the discovery and development of theoretical and computational methods or models to address a range of fundamental chemical challenges, with emphasis on emerging areas of chemical research.
Chemistry of Life Processes
Supports experimental and computational research that uses innovations in chemistry to study the molecular underpinnings of biological processes.
Environmental Chemical Sciences
Supports experimental and computational research in chemistry in order to understand environmental phenomena at the molecular scale.
Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry
Supports novel basic research that addresses fundamental questions and advances knowledge regarding the chemistry of macromolecular, supramolecular and nanoscopic structures.
NSF Centers for Chemical Innovation
The NSF Centers for Chemical Innovation program supports research centers focused on major, long-term fundamental chemical research challenges. The centers conduct ambitious multidisciplinary research and are designed to seize rapidly emerging research opportunities related to national priorities.
Additional resources
Subscribe to email updates from MPS
Get news on funding opportunities, upcoming events and research highlights.
Attend virtual office hours and webinars
Talk directly with MPS program directors and learn how to submit a proposal.
Find funding and contact a program director
Search for MPS programs and funding opportunities and find contact information.
Preparing your proposal
A guide with helpful tips on how to write and submit a research proposal to NSF.