MPS Physics Research Programs (MPS Physics)
U.S. National Science Foundation
Program funding
$180,000,000
- Opportunity #
- 26-523
- Agency
- U.S. National Science Foundation
- ALN (CFDA)
- 47.049
- Status
- posted
- Posted
- Aug 17, 2026
- Closes
- Sep 25, 2076
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
- Science and Technology and other Research and Development
- Cost sharing required
- No
Who can apply
- •Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"
Synopsis
The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (NSF MPS) supports multiple research programs at the frontiers of discovery in physics. Physics research supported by NSF MPS enables understanding of the fundamental aspects of nature at all scales, from the quantum effects inside atoms to the mysterious dark energy spanning the entire universe.
The core research programs covered by this funding opportunity are:
Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics - Experiment (AMO-Experiment)
Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics - Theory (AMO-Theory)
Elementary Particle Physics - Experiment (EPP-Experiment)
Elementary Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology - Theory (EPP/Cosmology-Theory)
Nuclear Physics - Experiment (NP-Experiment)
Nuclear Physics - Theory (NP-Theory)
Particle Astrophysics - Experiment (PA-Experiment)
Physics of Living Systems (PoLS)
The cross-cutting research programs covered by this funding opportunity are:
NSF MPS is particularly interested in intellectually ambitious and potentially transformative foundational research. Proposals need not promise a near-term product, deployment, or commercial outcome, nor need they address later-stage development to be competitive.
Contact
U.S. National Science Foundation · grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov