Metals and Metallic Nanostructures (MMN)

Metals and Metallic Nanostructures (MMN) is sponsored by NSF Division of Materials Research. Funds research on the relationship between structure and properties of metals and their alloys, including nanostructures.

Metals and Metallic Nanostructures (MMN) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation MPS Materials Research Programs (MPS Materials) Metals and Metallic Nanostructures (MMN) Important information for proposers and award recipients All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in the funding opportunity and in the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and its supplements .

All NSF grants and cooperative agreements are subject to the applicable set of NSF award terms and conditions . NSF has updated its research security policies for NSF funded projects. Supports research and education on the relationships between structure and properties of metals and their alloys.

Supports research and education on the relationships between structure and properties of metals and their alloys. The Metals and Metallic Nanostructures Program supports foundational research on the relationship between structures and properties of metals and their alloys.

Research should advance foundational materials science to enable the development of metallic materials, especially from the sub-nanometer to micro- length scales, to optimize superior behaviors and enable accurate prediction of properties and performance. This program focuses on experimental research that leverages advanced instrumentation.

While the program is open to the synergistic use of theory, computation, data analytics and/or machine learning, such techniques should play a supporting role and not serve as the primary driver or focus. Computational and theoretical activities should not exist as co-equal activities in terms of time, effort or budget.

The program aims to advance the materials science of metals and their alloys through foundational research across an array of topics, including, but not limited to: Grain and interphase boundary characterization Behavior in extreme environments Alloy development, including complex alloys such as metallic glasses and multi-principal-element alloys Proposals involving collaboration with industry are welcome and should carry the prefix ( GOALI ) whenever appropriate.

Submitted proposals should clearly emphasize the contributions to fundamental materials science using experiments as the primary approach. Principal Investigators (PIs) are encouraged to include all anticipated expenses ( e.g. , broader impacts activities, REU costs, equipment, etc.) in the initial proposal, rather than planning for or seeking supplemental funding requests at a later time.

PIs are encouraged to discuss intended chemical nanosynthesis efforts with both the Solid-State Materials Chemistry (SSMC) program directors and/or the Macromolecular, Supramolecular, and Nanochemistry (MSN) program directors prior to proposal submission to MMN.

Similarly, proposals focused entirely or partly on catalysis are encouraged to contact the Chemical Catalysis (CAT) program, while metals for biological applications or biological environments should consult the Biomaterials (BMAT) program before submitting.

As a general practice, the MMN program works closely with other programs within the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) and beyond to accommodate the multidisciplinary nature of proposal submissions where warranted. Such proposals may either be transferred or reviewed jointly depending on the extent of alignment with the goals of both programs.

Generally, submitting PIs will be notified and given the opportunity to accept a transfer before such an action is taken. Additional program resources Recently Funded MMN Awards National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) Program Awards made through this program Browse projects funded by this program Map of recent awards made through this program Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS)