Electronics, Photonics and Magnetic Devices
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions and individual researchers pursuing innovative device research in electronics, photonics, and magnetics. Eligible applicants include universities, colleges, research institutions, and researchers affiliated with eligible organizations. Projects must advance frontiers of micro-, nano-, and quantum-based devices using principles of electronics, optics, photonics, magnetics, electromagnetics, and related phenomena. Supported application domains include information and communications, imaging and sensing, healthcare, IoT, energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing.
Priority areas include emerging technologies for miniaturization, integration, energy efficiency, novel material-based devices, and enhanced reliability. Contact NSF Program Directors to discuss specific areas of interest before applying. Standard NSF eligibility requirements apply to all applicants.
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Program description
TheElectronics, Photonics and Magnetic Devices (EPMD) Programsupports innovative research on novel devices based on the principles of electronics, optics and photonics, optoelectronics, magnetics, opto- and electromechanics, electromagnetics, and related physical phenomena. EPMD’s goal is to advance the frontiers of micro-, nano- and quantum-based devices operating within the electromagnetic spectrum and contributing to a broad range of application domains including information and communications, imaging and sensing, healthcare, Internet of Things, energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing. The program encourages research based on emerging technologies for miniaturization, integration, and energy efficiency as well as novel material-based devices with new functionalities, improved efficiency, flexibility, tunability, wearability, and enhanced reliability.
Areas managed by Program Directors (please contact Program Directors listed in the EPMD staff directory for areas of interest):
Electronic Devices
- Nanoelectronics
- Wide/Extreme- and Narrow-Bandgap, Semiconductor Devices
- Devices with New Functionalities based on Material-Device Interactions and Reliability
- Device-Related Electromagnetic Effects, Propagationand Scattering
- Microwave/mm-Wave/THz Devices
- Flexible, Printed Electronics
- Carbon-based Electronics
- Thermoelectric and Ferroelectric Devices
Photonic Devices
- Advanced Optical Emitters and Photodetectors, from Extreme UV to THz
- Single-Photon Quantum Devices
- Nonlinear and Ultrafast Photonics
- Nanophotonics and Photonic Integration
- Optical Imaging and Sensing Techniques
- Opto-Mechanical Nanodevices
- Optical Communication Components
Magnetic Devices
- Biomagnetic Devices
- Nanomagnetic and Quantum Devices
- Spin Electronics for Next Generation of Logic and Memories
Cross-Cutting
- 2D Material Devices and Circuits
- Devices based on Paper Electronics
- Bioelectronic Devices
- Photovoltaic and Energy Harvesting Devices
- Metamaterial and Plasmonic-Based Devices
- Sensor Device Technologies
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NSF Cover Sheet (SF-424 or equivalent)
- Project Narrative/Proposal (technical description)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Current and Pending Support documentation
- Biographical sketches of key personnel
- Facilities and Equipment statement
- Letters of collaboration (if applicable)
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
-
$39,155,237
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$38,277,956
-
$37,936,436
-
$36,940,111
-
$36,277,271
-
$36,183,087
-
$32,471,912
-
$32,414,114
-
$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 EPMD funding?
Research institutions, universities, colleges, and affiliated researchers eligible under NSF guidelines. Contact Program Directors to confirm your research area aligns with program priorities.
How often does the program accept applications?
The program operates on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline. Submit applications anytime, though timing should align with Program Director guidance.
What types of research does EPMD support?
Novel devices in electronics, photonics, magnetics, nanoelectronics, quantum devices, optical imaging, sensor technologies, and energy harvesting. Cross-cutting areas like 2D materials and bioelectronic devices are also supported.
How competitive is this grant?
EPMD is a core NSF research program with high competition. Strong proposals require clear innovation, technical merit, and demonstrated research capability in device physics and engineering.
What is the typical award amount?
Award amounts vary based on project scope and institutional type. Contact Program Directors or review recent awards for typical funding ranges in your specific research area.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact Program Directors before submitting. They guide whether your research fits EPMD priorities and provide feedback on proposal scope.
- Emphasize device innovation and technical novelty. Focus on advancement of frontiers in micro-, nano-, or quantum scales rather than incremental improvements.
- Address real-world applications. Connect your research to information systems, imaging, sensing, healthcare, energy, or infrastructure domains.
- Document research merit and feasibility. Include preliminary data, technical approach details, and evidence your team can execute the work.
- Follow current NSF proposal guidelines carefully. Use the latest PAPPG and ensure all required sections, budgets, and compliance documents are complete.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals lack clear innovation or device-level advancement beyond material science alone. Applicants fail to engage Program Directors early, missing guidance on fit and priorities. Proposals address applications without strong device physics fundamentals or feasibility demonstration.
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