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Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Division of Chemistry

The Division of Chemistry (CHE) supports research and the development of research infrastructure in the principal subdisciplines of chemistry. The field of chemistry is very diverse, and NSF support for chemistry research goes beyond the CHE Division. Other NSF divisions supporting chemistry research include Astronomical Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Chemical and Transport Systems, Earth Sciences, Advanced Computational Research, Physics, and Materials Research. Support for the development of infrastructure in chemistry is also provided by appropriate divisions in the Directorates for Education and Human Resources (EHR) and Biosciences (BIO) through the Division of Biological Infrastructure.

Molecular science plays a central role in many areas of science and engineering. Because of this, much of the research supported by the CHE Division will also further the advancement of research in other disciplines, such as biology and chemical engineering, and in various multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary areas, such as environmental science and materials science.

1. Analytical and Surface Chemistry

Supports fundamental chemical research directed toward the characterization and analysis of all forms of matter. Studies of elemental and molecular composition and of the microstructure of both bulk and surface domains are included. The program supports projects that develop the fundamentals of measurement science, new sensors and new instruments, and innovative approaches to data processing and interpretation.

Investigations designed to probe the chemical structure and reactivity of the interface between different forms of matter also are supported. The program is linked to several other chemistry research programs within NSF, including Solid State Chemistry (Materials Research Division, MPS Directorate); Biochemistry and Biophysics (Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Division, BIO Directorate); and Chemical Reaction Processes and Interfacial, Transport, and Separation Processes (Chemical and Transport Systems Division, ENG Directorate).

2. Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Organometallic Chemistry

Supports research on the synthesis, properties, and reaction mechanisms of molecules composed of metals, metalloids, and nonmetals with elements covering the entire periodic table. Included are fundamental studies that underscore (1) bioinorganic reactions, (2) homogeneous catalysis and organometallic reactions, (3) photochemical and charge transfer processes, and (4) studies aimed at the rational synthesis of new inorganic molecular substances, self-assemblies, and nano-sized materials with predictable chemical, physical, and biological properties. Objectives are to provide the basis for understanding (1) the function of metal ions in biological systems, (2) the behavior of new inorganic materials and new industrial catalysts, and (3) the systematic chemistry and behavior of most of the elements and compounds in the environment. The program has links to other programs within NSF that support chemistry research, including Solid State Chemistry and Polymers (Materials Research Division, MPS Directorate); Chemical Reaction Processes (Chemical and Transport Systems Division, ENG Directorate); Biochemistry and Biophysics (Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Division, BIO Directorate); and Geochemistry (Earth Sciences Division, GEO Directorate).

3. Organic Chemical Dynamics

Supports research that will advance the knowledge of carbon-based molecules, metallo-organic systems, and organized molecular assemblies. Experimental, computational, and theoretical projects that illuminate chemical structures, reactivity, and properties and that provide organic mechanistic, structural, and kinetic foundations for the understanding of biological processes are all considered. The program has links to other programs within NSF that support chemistry research, including Solid State Chemistry and Polymers (Materials Research Division, MPS Directorate); Chemical Reaction Processes (Chemical and Transport Systems Division, ENG Directorate); Biochemistry and Biophysics (Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Division, BIO Directorate); and Atmospheric Chemistry (Atmospheric Sciences Division, GEO Directorate).

4. Organic Synthesis

Supports research on the synthesis of carbon-based molecules, organometallic systems, and organized molecular assemblies. Research includes the development of new reagents and methods for organic synthesis and characterization, and the investigation of natural products and new organic materials. Such research provides the basis for designed syntheses of new materials and natural products important to the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The research has links to other programs within NSF that support chemistry research, including Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Division, BIO Directorate) and Polymers (Materials Research Division, MPS Directorate).

5. Experimental Physical Chemistry

Supports experimental research directed at understanding the physical properties of chemical systems at a molecular level. Chemical systems include solids, liquids, interfaces, clusters, and isolated molecules or ions in gas or condensed phases. Chemical properties of interest include solute/solvent interactions in liquids and in clusters; chemical dynamics of bimolecular and unimolecular chemical processes; time-resolved internal energy redistribution; and molecular structure and the shape of the ground and excited electronic-state potential energy surfaces. Experimental methodologies include frequency domain and time domain spectroscopic techniques covering the entire range of the electromagnetic spectrum; time-resolved dynamical studies, including state-selected and mass-selected systems; reactive scattering; and single-molecule studies.

The program has links to other programs within NSF that support chemistry research, including Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics (Physics Division, MPS Directorate); Biophysics (Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Division, BIO Directorate); Atmospheric Chemistry (Atmospheric Sciences Division, GEO Directorate); Galactic Astronomy (Astronomical Sciences Division, MPS Directorate); Chemical and Transport Systems (ENG Directorate); and various programs in the Materials Research Division (MPS Directorate).

6. Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

Supports theoretical and computational research in areas of electronic structure, statistical mechanics, computer simulations, and chemical dynamics. The program also supports some areas of experimental thermodynamics and condensed phase dynamics of chemical systems that rely heavily on theoretical interpretation of experimental data. Areas of application span the full range of chemical systems, from small molecules to macromolecules, and degrees of aggregation from clusters to macroscopic systems. The goal of projects supported in this program is to provide a molecular-level interpretation for chemical properties and reactivity. The program has links to other programs within NSF that support chemistry research, including Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics (Physics Division, MPS Directorate); Materials Theory (Materials Research Division, MPS Directorate); Biophysics (Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Division, BIO Directorate); and Advanced Computational Research (Advanced Computational Infrastructure and Research Division, CISE Directorate).

7. Office of Special Projects

Supports or coordinates the support for most of the infrastructure programs and activities in which the CHE Division is involved. Examples include the Research Experiences for Undergraduates and the Faculty Early Career Development Programs, pilots for undergraduate research centers, and a postdoctoral discovery corps, as well as various special-purpose grants in education, outreach, diversity, and graduate training. The office also coordinates the division's involvement in large-scale projects, such as the Environmental Molecular Science Institutes and the Science and Technology Centers. The office manages the Collaborative Research in Chemistry Program, whose purpose is to enable groups of researchers to respond to recognized scientific needs; take advantage of current scientific opportunities; or prepare the groundwork for anticipated and significant scientific developments in chemistry, broadly defined. Further information on the research centers and groups supported by the CHE Division is available at http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=CHE.

8. Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF)

Supports the purchase or upgrade of departmental multiuser instrumentation, instrumentation development, and chemistry research facilities. The first of these topics focuses on departmental development and is intended to facilitate research by grantees and potential grantees that are being supported by the CHE Division. Instrumentation development is intended to implement, test, and introduce new concepts for chemical measurement to be used on a wider scale. Chemistry research facilities provide unique, state-of-the-art instrumentation and expertise to users from the chemical sciences community. Only a few facilities are supported at any time. Individuals interested in submitting a facilities proposal must first contact the appropriate staff person in the CHE Division. CRIF interfaces with the following cross-directorate programs and activities: Major Research Instrumentation, Small Business Innovation Research, Small Business Technology Transfer, and instrumentation programs in the Materials Research Division (MPS Directorate), the Division of Undergraduate Education (EHR Directorate), the Office of Cross-Disciplinary Activities (CISE Directorate), and the Division of Biological Infrastructure (BIO Directorate). For a description of the facilities currently supported by the CHE Division, see http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=CHE.

 
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