Advanced Manufacturing
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers at eligible institutions pursuing fundamental research in advanced manufacturing. Academic institutions (universities, colleges), national laboratories, and some other research organizations may apply. The program supports multidisciplinary projects that transform manufacturing technologies, methods, and practices across all scales—from nanomanufacturing to large systems. Applicants should address manufacturing challenges related to national prosperity, security, or global competitiveness.
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Program description
The Advanced Manufacturing (AM) program supports the fundamental research needed to revitalize American manufacturing to grow the national prosperity and workforce, and to reshape our strategic industries. The AM program accelerates advances in manufacturing technologies with emphasis on multidisciplinary research that fundamentally alters and transforms manufacturing capabilities, methods and practices. Advanced manufacturing research proposals should address issues related to national prosperity and security, and advancing knowledge to sustain global leadership.
Areas of research, for example, include manufacturing systems; materials processing; manufacturing machines; methodologies; and manufacturing across the length scales. Researchers working in the areas of cybermanufacturing systems, manufacturing machines and equipment, materials engineering and processing, and nanomanufacturing are encouraged to transcend and cross domain boundaries. Interdisciplinary, convergent proposals are welcome that bring manufacturing to new application areas, and that incorporate challenges and approaches outside the customary manufacturing portfolio to broaden the impact of America’s advanced manufacturing research.
Proposals of all sizes will therefore be considered as justified by the project description. Investigators are encouraged to discuss their ideas with AM program directors well in advance of submission at AdvancedManufacturing@nsf.gov.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF Grant Proposal Form (NSPF 424R/R&B)
- Project Narrative/Research Plan
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (key personnel)
- Current and Pending Support statements
- Institutional Certifications and Assurances
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
-
$36,940,111
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$36,277,271
-
$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 grant?
Universities, colleges, national laboratories, and federally funded research centers are eligible. Some nonprofit research organizations may also qualify. Check NSF's general eligibility guidelines.
What types of research does this program fund?
Fundamental research in advanced manufacturing, including manufacturing systems, materials processing, machines, nanomanufacturing, and cybermanufacturing. Interdisciplinary and convergent proposals are encouraged.
Is there a deadline?
This program has rolling review. Proposals can be submitted anytime, but early discussion with program directors is recommended.
How much can I request?
Award amounts vary based on project scope and justification. NSF typically funds projects of all sizes if justified in the proposal.
Should I contact the program before applying?
Yes, strongly encouraged. Email AdvancedManufacturing@nsf.gov to discuss your ideas with program directors before submission.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact NSF program directors early to align your research with program priorities and get feedback before writing.
- Frame your research in terms of national prosperity, security, or global manufacturing leadership to strengthen competitiveness.
- Emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration and how your work bridges traditional manufacturing boundaries.
- Clearly articulate the fundamental research contributions, not just applied outcomes or incremental improvements.
- Budget personnel, equipment, and materials carefully; NSF reviews budget justification closely for research grants.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing applied engineering or development work instead of fundamental research that creates new knowledge. Failing to articulate clear national significance or connection to prosperity and security. Underestimating project scope or timeline in a way that makes the research plan unrealistic.
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