Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC)

  • Sponsor: Division of Materials Research (DMR), Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS), and National Science Foundation (NSF)
  • Internal Deadline: November 18, 2021
  • Sponsor Required Preliminary Deadline: June 20, 2022
    (Full - November 22, 2022)

This opportunity is very complex and requires months of planning.  If you are interested in submitting to this round or next, please contact Research & Innovation as soon as possible.

Brief Synopsis from Sponsor: The Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs) program provides sustained support of materials research and education of the highest quality while addressing fundamental problems in science and engineering. Each MRSEC addresses research of a scope and complexity requiring the scale, synergy, and multidisciplinarity provided by a campus-based research center. The MRSECs support materials research infrastructure in the United States, promote active collaboration between universities and other sectors, including industry and international organizations, and contribute to the development of a national network of university-based centers in materials research, education, and facilities. A MRSEC may be located at a single institution, or may involve multiple institutions in partnership, and is composed of two to three Interdisciplinary Research Groups, IRGs, each addressing a fundamental materials science topic aligned with the Division of Materials Research, DMR.

Please read full opportunity linked above before submitting your application.

Sponsor Funding: Individual MRSEC awards are expected to range in size from approximately $3 million/year for a 2-IRG MRSEC to a maximum of $4.5 million/year for a 3-IRG MRSEC. 

Be aware: Only one MRSEC preliminary proposal may be submitted by any one organization as the lead institution in this competition.UofL will decide which to submit via internal review.

Anyone interested in submitting for this program must first submit an internal application to , with copy to the applicable research dean, by 5 p.m. on the date listed above, including the following materials:

  • A summary of the proposal (maximum two pages);
  • A paragraph describing why you would be the most competitive candidate for this program;
  • Your current curriculum vitae;
  • A cover page that contains:
    • The name of this funding opportunity and title of your proposal;
    • Your name, position, and UofL office contact information;
    • Collaborator names, positions, and institutions (if applicable).

Reviewers will judge proposals as they would in any peer review process, so PIs are urged to put forward competitive internal proposals. Along with typical criteria, reviewers will evaluate internal proposals based on their fit with the sponsor’s articulated goals and criteria as well as the UofL strategic goals.

The above internal application materials should be submitted via email as a single .PDF file to by the internal deadline listed above.

If you have any questions, please
Email:
Director of Research Development and Support
Research Development & Strategic Initiatives
Office of the EVP – Research & Innovation
300 E. Market Street, Suite 300
Louisville, KY 40202-1959