Particulate and Multiphase Processes
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for fundamental research on particulate and multiphase flow systems. Universities, colleges, and research institutions can apply, including those at all degree-granting levels. Eligible recipients include nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and individuals affiliated with research organizations. Research must address novel or transformative phenomena in particle dynamics, fluid flows, self-assembly, or interfacial processes with clear vision for applications in advanced manufacturing, energy, biology, or environmental sustainability.
Researchers should focus on physics and chemistry governing these systems rather than applied engineering or product development. Proposals involving electrochemistry, bouncing drops, engineered reaction surfaces, or particle synthesis may be better suited to other NSF programs. Prior contact with the program director is recommended for projects outside major interest areas to ensure fit.
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Program description
TheParticulate and Multiphase Processesprogram is part of the Transport Phenomena cluster, which also includes 1) theCombustion and Fire Systemsprogram; 2) theFluid Dynamicsprogram; and 3) theThermal Transport Processesprogram.
Thegoal of theParticulate and Multiphase Processesprogram is to support fundamental research on physico-chemical phenomena that govern particulate and multiphase systems, including flow of suspensions, drops and bubbles, granular and granular-fluid flows, behavior of micro- and nanostructured fluids, unique characteristics of active fluids, and self assembly/directed-assembly processes that involve particulates.The program encourages transformative research to improve our basic understanding of particulate and multiphase processes with emphasis on research that demonstrates how particle-scale phenomena affect the behavior and dynamics of larger-scale systems.Although proposed research should focus on fundamentals, a clear vision is required that anticipates how results could benefit important applications in advanced manufacturing, energy harvesting, transport in biological systems, biotechnology, or environmental sustainability.Collaborative and interdisciplinary proposals are encouraged, especially those that involve a combination of experiment with theory and/or modeling.
Major research areas of interest in the program include:
- Multiphase flow phenomena:Dynamics ofparticle/bubble/droplet systems,behavior of structured fluids (colloids/ferro-fluids), granular flows, rheology of multiphase systems, unique characteristics of active fluids in novel applications, and newl approaches that relate micro- and nanoscale phenomena to macroscale properties and process-levelvariables.
- Particlescience and technology:Aerosols, production of particles andpolymer-particle complexes with engineered properties, self-assembly,directed assembly, and template-directed assembly of particles into functional materials and devices.
- Multiphase transport in biological systems:Analysis of physiological processes, applications of functionalized nanostructures in clinical diagnostics andtherapeutics.
- Interfacial transport:Dynamics of particles and macromolecules at interfaces, kinetics of adsorption and desorption of nanoparticles and surfactants and their spatial distributions at interfaces, complex molecular interactions at interfaces, formation of interfacial complexes that affect the dynamics of particles.
NOTE: Proposals that explore fluid-structure interactions involving electrodes in engineering applications such as energy storage should be directed to ENG/CBETElectrochemical Systemsprogram.Proposals that involve drops or bubbles bouncing off solid surfaces should be directed toward ENG/CBETFluid Dynamicsprogram. Proposals that deal with engineered surfaces forcarrying out chemical or biochemical reactions or separations should be directed to ENG/CBETInterfacial Engineeringprogram.Proposals dealing mainly with particle synthesis may be more suitable forthe ENG/CMMIAdvanced Manufacturingprogram or the Division of Materials Research (DMR) in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) Directorate.
Innovative proposals outside of these specific interest areas may be considered; however, prior to submission, it is recommended that the PI contact the program director to avoid the possibility of the proposal being returned without review.
INFORMATION COMMON TO MOST CBET PROGRAMS
Proposals should address the novelty and/orpotentially transformative natureof the proposed work compared to previous work in the field.Also, it is important to address why the proposed work is important in terms of engineering science, as well as to also project the potential impact on society and/or industry of success in the research.The novelty or potentially transformative nature of the research should be included, as a minimum, in the Project Summary of each proposal.
The duration of unsolicited proposal awards in CBET is generally up to three years. Single-investigator award budgets typically include support for one graduate student (or equivalent) and up to one month of PI time per year(awards for multiple investigator projects are typically larger). Proposal budgets that are much larger than typical should be discussed with the program director prior to submission. Proposers can view budget amounts and other information from recent awards made by this program via the “What Has Been Funded (Recent Awards Made Through This Program, with Abstracts)” link towards the bottom of this page.
Faculty Early Career Development(CAREER)program proposals are strongly encouraged.Award duration is five years.The submission deadline for Engineering CAREER proposals is in July every year. Learn more in theCAREER program description.
Proposals for Conferences, Workshops, and Supplements: PIs are strongly encouraged to discuss their requests with the program director before submission of the proposal.
Grants forRapid Response Research(RAPID)andEArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research(EAGER)are also considered when appropriate.Please note that proposals of these types must be discussed with the program director before submission.Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI)proposals that integrate fundamental research with translational results and are consistent with the application areas of interest to each program are also encouraged. Please note that RAPID, EAGER, and GOALI proposals can be submitted anytime during the year. Details about RAPID, EAGER, and GOALI are available in the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), Part 1, Chapter II, Section E: Types of Proposals.
Compliance: Proposalsthat are not compliant with theProposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)will be returned without review.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF PAPPG standard forms (SF-424, certification/compliance forms)
- Project Narrative/Description
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Current and Pending Support documentation
- Biographical sketches of key personnel
- References cited in the proposal
Program contact
- 👤 National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4261
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.041 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$41,946,862
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$39,155,237
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$38,277,956
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$37,936,436
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$36,940,111
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$36,277,271
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$36,183,087
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$32,471,912
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$32,414,114
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$31,561,058
Top States by Funding
- TX 3 awards $90.6M
- CA 7 awards $85.0M
- IL 5 awards $83.9M
- AZ 2 awards $68.7M
- NC 2 awards $63.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.041). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $752,230,000 | |
| 2025 | $727,730,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $181,990,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this NSF grant?
Universities, colleges, research institutions, and researchers at degree-granting institutions are eligible. Nonprofit organizations and research centers may also apply.
What topics are most likely to be funded?
The program prioritizes fundamental research on particle flows, bubbles, drops, granular flows, structured fluids, and self-assembly processes. Applications in advanced manufacturing, energy, biology, or environmental sustainability strengthen proposals.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required for this program.
How often does this program accept proposals?
This is a rolling deadline program, meaning proposals are accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
What makes a proposal competitive?
Competitive proposals demonstrate novelty or transformative potential, explain importance to engineering science, and combine experiment with theory or modeling. Interdisciplinary and collaborative work is encouraged.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact the program director before submitting if your research is outside the major interest areas to avoid desk rejection without review.
- Clearly explain how particle-scale phenomena connect to larger-scale system behavior and properties.
- Combine experimental and theoretical/modeling approaches; the program values interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Articulate both the fundamental science advance AND anticipated applications (manufacturing, energy, biology, environment).
- Address why your work is important to engineering science and what societal or industrial impact success would achieve.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals lack clear connection between fundamental science and real-world applications or industrial relevance. Insufficient novelty or transformative potential compared to existing research in the field. Submissions in overlapping areas without prior program director consultation get redirected or rejected without review.
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