Interfacial Engineering
🏛 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 atomic- and molecular-scale interfacial phenomena and engineering. Universities, research institutions, and researchers with expertise in chemical engineering, materials science, or related disciplines can apply. Projects must demonstrate clear potential to advance industrial chemical or biochemical processes. Proposals combining experiment with theory or modeling are particularly encouraged.
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Program description
The Interfacial Engineering program is part of the Chemical Process Systems cluster, which also includes: 1) the Catalysis program; 2) the Electrochemical Systems program; and 3) the Process Systems, Reaction Engineering, and Molecular Thermodynamics program.
The goal of the Interfacial Engineering program is to support fundamental research on atomic- and molecular-scale interfacial phenomena and engineering of interfacial properties, processes, and materials. Fundamental understanding of the thermodynamic, kinetic, and transport properties of interfacial systems underpins improvements in chemical process efficiency and resource utilization. As such, proposed research should have a clear vision for how the results will translate to practice in or otherwise advance industrial chemical or biochemical processes. The program encourages proposals that present new approaches to long-standing challenges or address emerging research areas and technologies. Collaborative and interdisciplinary proposals are also encouraged, particularly those that involve a combination of experiment with theory or modeling.
Major research areas of interest in the program include:
- Chemical separations: Design of scalable mass separating agents (for example, sorbents and membranes); field-induced separation processes that target a significant reduction in energy and/or materials requirements
- Biological separations: Downstream processing of biologically-derived chemicals, therapeutic proteins, and biologics for increased throughput and purity; engineering interfaces for molecular recognition
- Interfacial phenomena at engineered interfaces and surfaces: Kinetics and thermodynamics of adsorption/desorption and complex interactions of molecules and ions at engineered interfaces and surfaces within chemical process systems
- Nanoconfinement and engineered surfaces: Theory, modeling, and/or approaches for examining transport and thermodynamic properties of fluids within nanopores, under nanoconfinement, or at highly engineered surfaces within chemical process systems
NOTE: Studies that examine chemical reaction and transport phenomena related to electrochemical system performance, including batteries, fuel cells, flow batteries, electrochemical conversions, and related components, should be directed to the Electrochemical Systems program (CBET 7644). Studies that focus on interactions of nanomaterials and nanosystems, particularly as relevant to environmental or biological applications, may be more appropriate for the Nanoscale Interactions program (CBET 1179). Studies of how interfacial dynamics affect transport or bulk properties of multiphase systems may be more appropriate for the Particulate and Multiphase Processes program (CBET 1415). Please consult with program directors prior to submission if you have questions about programmatic fit.
Innovative proposals outside of these specific interest areas may be considered. The Principal Investigator is encouraged contact the Program Director prior to submission 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 principal investigator 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 the CAREER 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 theProposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide(PAPPG), Part 1, Chapter II, Section E.
COMPLIANCE: Proposals which 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
- Project Summary (includes novelty and transformative nature discussion)
- Project Narrative/Description
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (PI and senior personnel)
- Current and Pending Support documentation
- Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources
- NSF PAPPG required forms (SF-424, budget templates, compliance certifications)
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 grant?
Academic researchers, universities, and research institutions can apply. Your institution must be eligible to receive NSF funding. International collaborations are permitted.
What types of research does this program fund?
Fundamental research on interfacial phenomena at atomic/molecular scales. Topics include chemical separations, biological separations, adsorption/desorption kinetics, and nanoconfinement. Research must show potential to improve chemical or biochemical processes.
Is there a deadline for applications?
This is a rolling program with no fixed deadline. Proposals can be submitted at any time. Check with NSF about current submission windows or contact the program director.
What is a typical project duration and budget?
Awards typically last up to three years. Single-investigator budgets usually support one graduate student and up to one month of PI time. Exact amounts vary by proposal scope.
Should I contact the program director before applying?
Yes, it is strongly encouraged. Contact the program director if your research falls outside the main focus areas or if you are unsure about programmatic fit. This can help avoid desk rejection.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact the NSF program director before submitting to confirm your research fits the program scope and avoid return without review.
- Clearly articulate how your fundamental research will translate to practice in industrial chemical or biochemical processes.
- Frame your work in terms of novelty and potentially transformative impact compared to existing research in your field.
- Emphasize engineering significance and potential societal or industry impact in your project summary.
- Collaborative proposals combining experiment with theory or modeling have stronger competitive standing.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals fail to demonstrate clear connection to improving chemical or biochemical processes. Applicants overlook contact with program director before submission, risking desk rejection. Project summaries lack adequate discussion of novelty and transformative potential.
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