ON THE UNIVERSE: THE ERA OF MULTI-MESSENGER ASTROPHYSICS
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 30, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers conducting multi-messenger astrophysics work involving electromagnetic waves, high-energy particles, or gravitational waves. Eligible applicants must be researchers affiliated with institutions that can submit NSF proposals, typically universities and research organizations with appropriate tax status. The program supports coordination activities, observations, and theoretical interpretation that integrate at least two of the three messenger types. Geographic scope is national, with no state-specific restrictions.
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Program description
The Universe is the ultimate laboratory, and we can now probe it as never before through several powerful and diverse windows – electromagnetic waves, high-energy particles, and gravitational waves. Each of these windows provides a different view. Together they reveal a detailed picture of the Universe that will allow us to study matter, energy, and the cosmos in fundamentally new ways.
The “Windows on the Universe” Multi-Messenger Astrophysics (WoU-MMA) program identifies three categories of messengers – electromagnetic waves, high-energy particles including neutrinos and cosmic rays, and gravitational waves. The goals of WoU-MMA are to build the capabilities and accelerate the synergy between observations and theory to realize integrated, multi-messenger astrophysical explorations of the Universe.
The WoU-MMA program welcomes proposals in any area of research supported through the participating divisions that address at least one of the following criteria:
- Coordination: Activities to coordinate observations involving more than one messenger.
- Observations: Observations of astrophysical objects or phenomena that are potentially sources of more than one messenger.
- Interpretation: Theory, experiment, simulations and other activities to understand or interpret observations of astrophysical objects that are sources of more than onemessenger.
Competitive proposals will accelerate the progress in multi-messenger astrophysics and advance the community activities that have been developed during the initial five-year period of the WoU-MMA program. These build on observational and analysis capabilities at the intersection of the explorations enabled by each of the three windows. Efforts to integrate research communities to develop full interoperability between the three windows, and to develop a skilled new workforce in this field, are also encouraged. Proposals should be submitted to the relevant programs listed below (see Related Programs).
The WoU-MMA program is not intended to replace existing programs that make awards that involve experimental or theoretical efforts related to each of the three messengers. Rather, the WoU-MMA program is meant to fund awards that have significant components of multi-messenger astrophysics. Priority will be given to proposals for dedicated efforts that significantly advance the WoU-MMA goals. A proposal that is requesting consideration within the context of WoU-MMA should begin the title with the identifying acronym “WoU-MMA:”. PIs should ask for consideration and review as a WoU-MMA proposal only if the proposal addresses at least one of the criteria listed above. Proposals marked for consideration by the WoU-MMA program that do not address at least one of these criteria will be reviewed solely within the participating program(s) to which they were submitted. Supplement requests to existing awards within a program that address one of the above criteria will also be considered.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NSF proposal cover sheet (SF-424)
- Project narrative/summary
- Budget and budget narrative
- Current and pending support statement
- Biographical sketches of senior personnel
- Facilities and equipment description
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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$482,311,346
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$415,151,013
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$236,459,999
-
$190,969,692
-
$176,820,578
-
$156,947,247
-
$145,000,000
-
$144,261,921
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$116,471,167
Top States by Funding
- VA 5 awards $965.8M
- DC 3 awards $632.1M
- AZ 8 awards $616.2M
- CA 12 awards $610.6M
- 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 this grant?
Researchers at universities and eligible research institutions can apply. Your institution must be able to submit NSF proposals.
What types of research does this grant fund?
Multi-messenger astrophysics that combines electromagnetic waves, high-energy particles, or gravitational waves. Work must address coordination, observations, or interpretation across at least two messenger types.
When is the deadline?
September 30, 2026 is the application deadline. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
How competitive is this grant?
Very competitive. NSF receives many proposals and funds a small percentage. Proposals addressing all three messenger types and integrating research communities have stronger chances.
What is the funding range?
Award amounts are not specified in the program guidelines. Contact the NSF division for typical funding levels in your research area.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly mark your proposal title with "WoU-MMA:" so reviewers identify it as a multi-messenger application. Unmarked proposals may not receive WoU-MMA consideration.
- Focus on integration and synergy between messengers, not just adding them together. Show how combining observations strengthens your science.
- Include explicit coordination plans if your team involves multiple observatories or experiments. Define communication and data-sharing protocols.
- Address workforce development if possible. NSF values proposals that train the next generation in multi-messenger techniques.
- Distinguish your work from existing single-messenger programs. Emphasize what becomes possible only through multi-messenger integration.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting without the WoU-MMA prefix, causing the proposal to default to single-messenger program review. Not demonstrating genuine multi-messenger integration—just studying objects through one window. Underestimating the need to coordinate across separate research teams or telescopes.
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