Opportunity Information: Apply for 26 523
The MPS Physics Research Programs (MPS Physics) opportunity is a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant program housed in the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) that funds fundamental research across a broad range of physics. The central aim is to support work at the frontiers of discovery that deepens understanding of nature at every scale, from quantum behavior in atoms and molecules to the large-scale structure of the universe and phenomena like dark energy. The program is explicitly oriented toward foundational, curiosity-driven science, and NSF emphasizes that proposals do not need to promise a near-term product, deployment pathway, or commercial outcome to be competitive. In other words, strong ideas and rigorous plans for transformative basic research are the priority, not applied development milestones.
The solicitation covers a large set of core physics research areas, spanning both experimental and theoretical efforts. These include Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics in both Experiment (AMO-Experiment) and Theory (AMO-Theory); Elementary Particle Physics in Experiment (EPP-Experiment); Elementary Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology in Theory (EPP/Cosmology-Theory); Gravitational Physics; Nuclear Physics in both Experiment (NP-Experiment) and Theory (NP-Theory); Particle Astrophysics in Experiment (PA-Experiment); Physics of Living Systems (PoLS); Plasma Physics; Quantum Information Science (QIS); and Integrative Activities in Physics (IAP), which typically supports efforts that connect, coordinate, or enable research across parts of the physics community. Taken together, these tracks indicate the program is meant to serve as a broad umbrella for many of the major subfields in contemporary physics, supporting everything from precision measurement and quantum systems to high-energy particles, cosmology, nuclear structure, complex living matter, and plasmas.
In addition to the core programs, the opportunity includes cross-cutting programs that focus on capabilities and themes that can span multiple subfields. These include Advanced Physics Instrumentation (API), which supports the development and advancement of instruments and measurement approaches that can unlock new science; Focused Research Hubs in Theoretical Physics (FRHTP), which is oriented toward concentrated, collaborative theory efforts organized around compelling problems; and Physics at the Information Frontier (PIF), which emphasizes the intersection of physics with information concepts, data, computation, and related methodologies. These cross-cutting areas are designed to catalyze progress that can benefit multiple domains of physics, whether through new tools, new organizing structures for theory collaboration, or new information-centered approaches to discovery.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary NSF grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 26-523) in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category, associated with CFDA 47.049. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, which generally signals that a wide range of applicant organizations may apply, subject to NSF policy and any solicitation-specific requirements. The listing does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. The original closing date shown in the source data is 2076-08-17, which is unusually far in the future for a typical NSF deadline and may reflect a standing or long-running program entry rather than a single-time deadline; applicants usually need to confirm the actual submission windows and any program-specific target dates in the full NSF solicitation and on the program page.
Overall, MPS Physics is best understood as NSF MPS support for ambitious, potentially transformative research across mainstream physics disciplines, with dedicated lanes for both experiments and theory as well as for instrumentation and information-oriented frontiers. The program message is clear: strong, well-justified foundational ideas that push the boundaries of knowledge are valued even when they are not tied to immediate practical deliverables.Apply for 26 523
- The U.S. National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "MPS Physics Research Programs (MPS Physics)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.049.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2076-08-17.
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF MPS Physics Research Programs (MPS Physics)
What is the MPS Physics Research Programs (MPS Physics) opportunity?
MPS Physics is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funding opportunity within the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) that supports fundamental research across a broad range of physics. Its emphasis is on advancing discovery and deepening understanding of nature, from quantum-scale phenomena to the large-scale structure of the universe.
What is the central goal of this NSF program?
The program aims to support research at the frontiers of discovery that can transform basic understanding of physics. It prioritizes curiosity-driven, foundational science rather than short-term applied outcomes.
Do proposals need to promise a product, commercialization plan, or near-term deployment to be competitive?
No. NSF explicitly emphasizes that proposals do not need to include a near-term product, deployment pathway, or commercial outcome to be competitive. The priority is strong ideas and rigorous plans for transformative basic research.
What kinds of research does the program fund?
The program funds a wide range of core physics research areas, spanning experimental and theoretical efforts. Supported topics range from precision measurement and quantum systems to high-energy particles, cosmology, nuclear structure, physics of living systems, and plasma physics.
Which core physics research areas are included in this opportunity?
The solicitation includes the following core areas:
- Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics (AMO-Experiment)
- Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics (AMO-Theory)
- Elementary Particle Physics (EPP-Experiment)
- Elementary Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology (EPP/Cosmology-Theory)
- Gravitational Physics
- Nuclear Physics (NP-Experiment)
- Nuclear Physics (NP-Theory)
- Particle Astrophysics (PA-Experiment)
- Physics of Living Systems (PoLS)
- Plasma Physics
- Quantum Information Science (QIS)
- Integrative Activities in Physics (IAP)
Does the program support both experimental and theoretical research?
Yes. The solicitation includes tracks explicitly labeled for experimental and theoretical work in multiple areas (for example, AMO and Nuclear Physics), and it also includes theory-focused and experiment-focused programs in particle physics and astrophysics/cosmology.
What is Integrative Activities in Physics (IAP)?
IAP typically supports efforts that connect, coordinate, or enable research across parts of the physics community. Based on the description provided, it is generally oriented toward integrative work rather than a single narrow subfield.
Are there cross-cutting programs included in this opportunity?
Yes. In addition to core programs, the opportunity includes cross-cutting programs intended to span multiple subfields through shared capabilities or themes.
What cross-cutting programs are included?
The cross-cutting programs listed are:
- Advanced Physics Instrumentation (API)
- Focused Research Hubs in Theoretical Physics (FRHTP)
- Physics at the Information Frontier (PIF)
What is Advanced Physics Instrumentation (API)?
API supports the development and advancement of instruments and measurement approaches that can unlock new science. The focus is on instrumentation and measurement capabilities that can enable progress across physics.
What are Focused Research Hubs in Theoretical Physics (FRHTP)?
FRHTP is oriented toward concentrated, collaborative theory efforts organized around compelling problems. The description suggests an emphasis on collaborative structures that intensify theoretical work on key questions.
What is Physics at the Information Frontier (PIF)?
PIF emphasizes the intersection of physics with information concepts, data, computation, and related methodologies. It is described as an information-centered approach designed to catalyze discovery and progress across domains.
Where is this program housed within NSF?
This opportunity is an NSF grant program housed in the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this listing?
The Funding Opportunity Number provided is 26-523.
What is the activity category associated with this opportunity?
It is listed under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The listing associates this opportunity with CFDA 47.049.
Is this a discretionary grant opportunity?
Yes. The information provided describes it as a discretionary NSF grant opportunity.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted. This generally indicates that a wide range of applicant organizations may apply, subject to NSF policy and any solicitation-specific requirements.
Does the listing specify an award ceiling?
No. The listing does not specify an award ceiling.
Does the listing specify the expected number of awards?
No. The listing does not state the expected number of awards.
What is the closing date shown, and should applicants rely on it?
The closing date shown in the source data is 2076-08-17. This is unusually far in the future for a typical NSF deadline and may reflect a standing or long-running program entry rather than a single deadline. Applicants are expected to confirm actual submission windows and any target dates in the full NSF solicitation and on the program page.
Is this program mainly for applied development or for basic science?
The program is explicitly oriented toward foundational, curiosity-driven science. Strong, well-justified basic research ideas that push the boundaries of knowledge are emphasized, even when they are not tied to immediate practical deliverables.
What scales or domains of physics does the program aim to cover?
The program description frames its scope as spanning every scale, from quantum behavior in atoms and molecules to large-scale cosmological structure and phenomena such as dark energy.
How should an applicant decide which track (core vs. cross-cutting) fits their project?
Based on the information provided, core tracks align with specific physics subfields (for example, AMO, nuclear, plasma, gravitational, particle astrophysics, QIS), while cross-cutting tracks focus on shared enablers or themes (instrumentation through API, concentrated collaborative theory through FRHTP, and information/data/computation intersections through PIF).
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