Physics Research Programs (MPS Physics)
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 27, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for fundamental physics research at universities and research institutions. Eligible applicants typically include tenure-track faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and established investigators at accredited universities and nonprofit research organizations. The program supports research across 12 core physics areas: atomic/molecular/optical, elementary particle, nuclear, plasma, gravitational, and quantum information science physics, plus living systems and particle astrophysics. Cross-cutting programs also fund advanced instrumentation, theoretical physics hubs, and physics at the information frontier. Geographic scope is national—applicants from U.S. institutions compete for funding.
Research may be experimental, theoretical, or instrumental. Proposals should address fundamental questions without requiring near-term commercial outcomes or applications. NSF values intellectually ambitious, potentially transformative work at the frontiers of physics discovery.
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Program description
The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (NSF MPS) supports multiple research programs at the frontiers of discovery in physics. Physics research supported by NSF MPS enables understanding of the fundamental aspects of nature at all scales, from the quantum effects inside atoms to the mysterious dark energy spanning the entire universe.
The core research programs covered by this funding opportunity are:
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Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics – Experiment (AMO-Experiment)
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Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics – Theory (AMO-Theory)
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Elementary Particle Physics – Experiment (EPP-Experiment)
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Elementary Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology – Theory (EPP/Cosmology-Theory)
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Nuclear Physics – Experiment (NP-Experiment)
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Nuclear Physics – Theory (NP-Theory)
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Particle Astrophysics – Experiment (PA-Experiment)
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Physics of Living Systems (PoLS)
The cross-cutting research programs covered by this funding opportunity are:
NSF MPS is particularly interested in intellectually ambitious and potentially transformative foundational research. Proposals need not promise a near-term product, deployment, or commercial outcome, nor need they address later-stage development to be competitive.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Cover Letter or Project Summary
- Project Narrative/Technical Proposal
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketch(es) of PI and Co-PIs
- Institutional Commitments/Support Letters
- NSF Form 424 (or equivalent)
- Data Management Plan
- References Cited
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.049 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$570,618,065
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$497,001,346
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$434,119,438
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$236,459,999
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$190,969,692
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$181,482,100
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$156,947,247
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$145,000,000
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$144,261,921
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$116,471,167
Top States by Funding
- VA 5 awards $1,019.4M
- DC 3 awards $639.8M
- CA 13 awards $623.8M
- AZ 8 awards $620.8M
- NY 7 awards $325.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.049). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,539,910,000 | |
| 2025 | $1,537,650,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $512,280,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for NSF MPS Physics funding?
Faculty, researchers, and investigators at U.S. universities and nonprofit research institutions. Applicants must have appropriate institutional affiliations and research credentials.
What types of research does NSF MPS Physics support?
Fundamental physics research across 12 core programs plus cross-cutting initiatives. Both experimental and theoretical work are eligible if they address foundational questions in physics.
Is there a deadline for applications?
A fixed deadline of August 17, 2076 is listed. Check the NSF website for current program-specific deadlines, as individual programs may have rolling or staggered submission periods.
What makes a competitive proposal?
Intellectual ambition, potential for transformative impact, and rigorous science. Proposals need not promise near-term products or commercial applications—fundamental discovery is valued.
What budget categories are allowed?
NSF typically allows salaries, equipment, travel, and indirect costs. Consult the specific program solicitation and the NSF Grants Policy Guide for detailed allowability rules.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your research with one of the 12 core programs or three cross-cutting initiatives. Clearly state which program you're applying to in your proposal.
- Emphasize the intellectual merit and broader impacts of your research. NSF weighs both creativity and potential contributions to science and society equally.
- Include a realistic budget with detailed justification. NSF reviewers scrutinize budgets closely; explain why equipment, personnel, and travel are essential.
- Start early and consult the specific program solicitation. General MPS information differs from individual program requirements on scope, award amounts, and submission deadlines.
- Have institutional research support review your proposal before submission. Universities often have grant offices that can catch compliance issues and strengthen narratives.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting to the wrong program or subprogram—NSF has 12 core physics programs plus cross-cutting tracks, and your research must fit clearly into at least one. Overemphasizing applied outcomes or near-term applications—NSF MPS funds fundamental research, not commercial development. Providing insufficient detail on methodology, prior work, or why this research matters to physics discovery.
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